This year, more than 1,000 competitors from more than 50 countries/regions will test their skills in Leipzig, Germany, as they compete for the coveted title of WorldSkills Champion. Considered the best of the best, contestants compete for four days in 45 occupational skill areas.

Accompanied by their teachers, trainers and industry technical committee experts, these young people compete before the public in contests that are run and judged using demanding international standards.

In the WorldSkills Autobody Repair contest, competitors must: correct all structural misalignment of the unitized body shell using hydraulically operated repair equipment to pull/push the body back into proper alignment; verify the accurate realignment of the unitized body, including suspension attachment points using industry recognized Autobody measuring equipment; replace a damaged structural (frame) member using internationally accepted procedures; repair cosmetic damage to an exterior steel and/or aluminum and /or plastic body panel (fender, door, quarter panel, roof, etc.) by metal finishing (or repair product in the case of a plastic panel); and, replace cosmetic non-structural exterior steel and/or aluminum body panel (fender, door, quarter panel, roof, etc.).