Photo: Lasse Skov, SkillsDenmark
Skills Village brought together 600 young professionals under one roof and created a unique retreat in the midst of the intense competition days. It became a place to recharge, build friendships, and share experiences across nations and skills.
At EuroSkills Herning 2025, all competitors from across Europe stayed together in Lalandia Billund, which for the occasion was renamed Skills Village. Here, they had access to recreational activities and natural meeting places that strengthened team spirit and provided the mental balance needed between competitions.
For many, it made a real difference to have a quiet space away from the busy competition halls.
“We don’t see much of each other during the day because we are competing. But in the evening we can gather, talk things through and just relax. It helps everyone to unwind and take some of the pressure off,” said Gabrielle Wilson (Cooking) from the UK.
But Skills Village was about more than recovery. It also became a social hub that forged bonds across nations and professions. Henrik Gustafsson (Automobile Technology) from Sweden highlighted the value of sharing experiences:
“Sharing skills and experiences with others is really valuable. Of course, you don’t give away the actual competition answers, but you can have meaningful conversations and exchange perspectives on the tasks,” he said.
The welcoming atmosphere and the close living arrangements created a special energy throughout the week. It brought delegations closer together and strengthened the spirit across countries.
“The best thing about being here has probably been that we are all staying in the small houses. You meet everyone – both from your own country and from other countries – and can share experiences across skills,” said Artur Eichelberger (Web Development) from France.
In the end, Skills Village became more than just food and accommodation. It was a home for the competitors – a place where skills, community, and well-being came together to make the EuroSkills Herning 2025 experience even stronger.