In the workshops of the Jules-Verne high school, five young Bretons are unfazed this Friday morning. Helmet screwed on their heads, soldering iron in hand, they have their noses in their work. Since Thursday January 16, they have been participating in the 48th edition of the regional skills competition – Worldskills – organized every two years. Everyone hopes to win first place and thus represent Brittany in Marseille in October 2025, during the national competition.
In order to decide between them, their three welding teachers Jean-Jacques Boulch, Mickaël Vourch and Stéphane Marchy, will evaluate them on three tests. The results will be revealed on January 31 in Saint-Brieuc, after the official Worldskills ceremony. It is during this that 250 young apprentices, employees and high school students, for 51 professions represented, will compete over three days from Wednesday January 29 to Friday January 31.
“Young people work like crazy”
The event is financed by the Region and attracts 15,000 spectators, including 12,000 schoolchildren. “All trades are represented. For technical reasons, ten trades carry out their tests upstream, including welding,” says Gérald Lacourt, director of technological and professional training at Jules-Verne. “These events are intense. Young people work like crazy. It is also an opportunity to promote manual professions. »
Learning to weld is part of the DNA of the Jules-Verne high school. “The training has existed since the 70s and the welding test has been held here since 2006,” explains Jean-Jacques Boulch, one of the teachers.
“Twelve students graduate each year. It’s a sector that recruits a lot. Our students will be able to work in the naval, railway, agricultural, industrial, aeronautical sectors, etc. They can even work in nuclear power if they want to specialize. »
-For candidates, this test is also a great springboard to make themselves known to potential employers. “During national and international events, there will be headhunters. » In Marseille, if one of the Breton welders manages to get on the first or second step of the podium, he will fly to Shanghai to represent France on the world stage. “So far, this has never happened for one of our young people. The best score we have achieved is 3rd at the nationals in 2007. We hope we will be first this year! »
Practical
To find out more about welding training, go to the Jules Vernes high school website. Open days: March 7 and 8, 2025.
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