University of Pannonia student becomes World Champion at the WorldSkills 2024 Competition

Olivér Mrakovics won the gold medal in the web development competition and became World Champion, finishing the WorldSkills 2024 competition with the highest score among the Hungarian competitors, thus also winning the title of Best of the Nation. Olivér Mrakovics is a correspondence student at the University of Pannonia, where he studies while working. He previously studied at the Ganz Ábrahám Technikum of the Zalaegerszeg Vocational Training Centre, and with his current success he has earned international recognition as one of the outstanding members of the Hungarian team.

This year, the WorldSkills 2024 competition was held in Lyon between 10 and 15 September, where four Zala competitors represented Hungary, the Zala Chamber of Commerce and Industry informed the editorial office of zaol.hu. The Zala Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides effective support for the preparation of the young Zala competitors, as this competition is important for Hungary, where Hungarians are taking part for the eighth time.

At the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 competition, 1,382 young professionals from 69 countries competed in 59 official events and 3 demonstration events. In 21 events, 25 competitors, 21 experts, 3 Team Leaders and 3 delegates represented Hungary as part of the official Hungarian team. Hungary was ranked 10th among the participating countries in terms of average medals. The results achieved prove the preparedness and expertise of the Hungarian experts, as the Hungarian team finished the competition with medals in 15 of the 21 competitions, which surpassed all previous results.

Olivér Mrakovics won the gold medal in the web development competition and became the world champion with the highest score of the Hungarian competitors, thus also winning the title of the Best of the Nation. Olivér Mrakovics studied at the Ganz Ábrahám Technikum of the Zalaegerszeg Vocational Training Centre, and is currently a correspondence student at the University of Pannonia, where he also works while studying.

- "I'm very happy to win the gold medal, I came out on top in a very colourful field,"

Olivér said in response to our inquiry. They have a long history in the Worldskill competitions, they put a lot of emphasis on IT education, and Samsung provides the technical background. The competitors came from forty countries, the only girl represented Armenia. One of our interesting and impressive tasks was a mobile app that suggests optimal parking based on location data, but we also developed a picture viewer.

Friendships were also forged at the competition, with Oliver keeping in touch with his Singaporean and South Korean counterparts, for example. He believes he has gained experience in 1.5 to 2 years that he would not have gained in 15 years without the competition. The young web developer is already preparing for the European Professional European Championships in Denmark next September.

What is Worldskills?

The competitions symbolise the pinnacle of the professions and vocational training, and the best performer in each profession's national selection competition can represent the country. The right to host the competitions is won by a different country each year, so each year brings a new excitement.

The competitions have to meet the latest high quality and modern standards of the different professions for all competitors who want to stand on the top step of the podium. International competitions can not only bring professional recognition and success, but also the experience of a lifetime.

The programme's wide range of professional support ensures that competitors bring out the best in their sport through intensive training under the guidance of recognised experts in their field and with the help of state-of-the-art equipment. Competitors prepare for the challenge ahead through training, team-building and mental workshops.

The WorldSkills Hungary programme is built on a commitment to skills training and shared success. Throughout the programme, professional and human relationships and friendships are formed, which do not end after the competition. It is a mission that not only opens up the world, but forges a team that is willing and able to do something to create value.