Official sponsor demonstrates science applied to life at the world’s biggest vocational skills competition

UAE, 17 October 2017:  Global innovation company, 3M will take part in supporting the development of the vocational education for youth in the UAE and the region as part of being the Global Industry Partner and Local Sponsor of the 44th WorldSkills Competition. The event will take place from October 14th to 19th in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of The UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of The Executive Council.

3M is partnering with WorldSkills to proactively enhance safety and create a better understanding of appropriate protection. The sponsorship will be exhibited in three stands including: Corporate Sustainability and “Try a Skill” stand for Automotive and Health & Safety where visitors will be encouraged to experience hands-on interaction with 3M demos across the entire event. 

“We are thrilled to be part of the 44th WorldSkills competition here in Abu Dhabi, helping create a global hub for skills excellence and development. It is a great opportunity to further develop the UAE workforce of the future’s skills and resources, key to driving the wheel of growth towards a promising future around the entire region,” Robert Nichols, Managing Director at 3M, said.

3M Safety delivers workplace safety solutions to safety professionals and occupational workers across the world for more than 40 years, such as Welding and Body Protection and Head, Eye & Face Conservation products.

Nichols added: “We partnered with WorldSkills Competition to bring awareness and understanding of what the 3M brand can bring – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety training fosters a safety culture, as well as improvements in safety standards around the world. We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience science applied to life at our stand.”

This year, 3M’s corporate stand will highlight the importance of sustainability through interactive demonstrations and will present the Sustainability Award- Car Painting Skill in partnership with WS International and Glasruit – a brand of BASF. The 3M’s Car Painting Skill - Automotive stand will showcase aftermarket care products and solutions that include car body repair and paint spraying as well as car wrapping solutions. Finally, 3M’s Health and Social Care Skill stand will provide hands-on experience for 3M safety solutions and latest innovations.

The event provides a platform to showcase the world’s finest talents as well as representatives from government, trade industries, educational institutions and partners to meet together to experience the competition and participate in an array of education and skill-focused conferences. More than 1300 young people from 77 member countries and regions will come to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to compete in the 51 skill competitions in the Olympics-style contest – WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. This is the world's largest vocational skills competition - a major contest to champion young expertise in the industrial trade and service sectors. The skills on show will range from carpentry, welding, automotive repair and aircraft maintenance to graphic design technology, hairdressing and electronics for competitors aged 25 and under.

3M is a global innovation company that never stops inventing. With special focus on technologies that encompass sustainable practices that have less impact on the environment, 3M’s products are sold in nearly 200 countries.