The purpose of skill competitions is to establish the value of skills and encourage young people to participate in vocational education and training. The organizer aspires to raise social awareness, pique public interest, and review vocational education and training efforts through competition and enhance the skill of technical professionals through discussion and observation.
Taiwan is committed to developing technology-intensive industries and services. Therefore, there is a growing demand for "proficient" and "high-quality" skilled workers. Besides actively promoting vocational education and training and expanding skill certification, large-scale skill competitions should also be organized to raise the value of and encourage young people to actively participate in of vocational education and training to become the driving force of the economy and social construction.

The 1st National Skills Competition was held in Taiwan in 1968. Since then, the competition has been held annually, attracting the active participating of various vocational training institutions, vocational schools, and commercial enterprises. It is undoubtedly the biggest event in vocational training and education. At the same time, the National Skills Competition is tasked with selecting outstanding candidates to represent their country in the WorldSkills Competition. Therefore, the age restrict for the National Skills Competition is 21 years old or younger, which conforms with the age requirements of the WorldSkills Competition In response to the increasing demand for technical professionals amidst a rapidly growing economy, skill categories have increased from the initial 14 to 52.
Besides receiving a cash prize, medal, and certificate, competitors who rank top in the National Skills Competition are eligible for recommendation into selected vocational schools, five-year junior college programs, two-year junior college programs, four-year technical college programs, and university courses in accordance with the Articles Regarding Screening and Review and Recommendation Admission Regulations for Technically and Artistically Talented Students At Secondary Schools and Above, training them to become industries leaders.
In accordance with the Regulations on Technician Skills Certification and Issuance of Certificates, competitors who receive a passing score in the National Skills Competition are exempt from the written test when applying for Class B, Class C, or single class skills certification.

The International Skills Competition was introduced in Spain in 1950 by WorldSkills International (formerly known as International Vocational Training Organization). In 2001, the competition was renamed the WorldSkills Competition, and the flag logo was concurrently redesigned. The organization was renamed WorldSkills International (WSI) in 2006. Member countries (regions) exceeded 84 in 2020. The Secretariate is located in the Netherlands. WSI is committed to promoting the mutual observation, understanding, and exchange of young technicians and strengthening the transnational exchange of information and experience concerning vocational training and education through skill competitions, conferences, and seminars, thereby furthering the development of vocational training and education worldwide.
Taiwan has been a member of WSI from 1970 and partook in the competition every session since the 20th International Vocational Training Competition. Taiwanese competitors have always performed exceptionally, gaining considerable international attention. The 32nd International Vocational Training Competition was later hosted in Taipei between July 19 and August 2, 1993. The competition ran smoothly and was a great success.