Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of lifelong learning, as he appeared at the closing ceremony for WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

The spectacular ceremony officially ended the 45th international skills competition, which saw more than 1,300 young people battle to be crowned the best in the world at their chosen skill. 

The competition lasted for four days and over that time 37 young people from the UK competed in a range of events, from cabinet-making and chemical laboratory technology to mechatronics and beauty therapy. 

Background: How WorldSkills transformed education in Russia

Pictures: WorldSkills 2019: The final countdown for Team UK

News: WorldSkills boss: ‘We’ve let skills become invisible’

WorldSkills Kazan: Success for Team UK

Team UK return home with four medals, including two golds. Overall, 63 countries competed in 56 skills. 

The Russian president told the 50,000-strong crowd that WorldSkills played a “unifying and humanitarian role” in helping young people to prepare for the changing world of work.

He added: “The 45th WorldSkills competition is coming to an end. Our common responsibility is to preserve and use its legacy for the citizens of our countries so that every person - regardless of age or health - could realise his or her talents, choose their own way of learning and development and acquire relevant skills during the entire life.”

Mr Putin also spoke about how WorldSkills’ standards have been embedded into the Russia vocational education system, which had been overhauled in preparation for the competition.

“In our country, WorldSkills has become a key element of an advanced system of professional training which we are developing, including in the field of digital economy qualifications,” he said. “We are transforming our colleges, building great and unique opportunities for children to be engaged in technical creative industries.”