Analysis of Beauty Therapy Tasks at the National Skills Competition and World Skills Competition: From 2011 to 2023, Focusing on Facial and Body Treatment

This study analyzed the trends in Facial and Body Treatment tasks within the Beauty Therapy category of the National Skills Competition and the World Skills Competition from 2011 to 2023, comparing the differences between the two competitions. The study aimed to identify year-by-year task trends, categorize tasks based on similarities, and provide foundational data for aligning National Skills Competition task direction with World Skills Competition standards. The research focused on Facial and Body Treatment tasks, classified into subcategories including Basic Facial Treatments, Facial Device Treatments, Spa Body Treatments, Body Device Treatments, and Therapy tasks. The findings showed that National Skills Competition tasks were predominantly device-oriented, with Basic Facial Treatments disappearing after 2018, whereas Facial Device Treatments appeared almost annually. In contrast, World Skills Competition tasks emphasized practical problem-solving skills, consistently including chart preparation and steamer/extraction tasks, which were absent in the National Skills Competition. Moreover, World Skills Competition tasks displayed more diverse requirements, particularly in exfoliation and mask techniques, highlighting creativity and comprehensive skill evaluation. The study underscores the need for National Skills Competition to adopt practical and problem-solving-oriented tasks similar to World Skills Competition to enhance participants’ holistic competencies. Developing training programs and manuals reflecting World Skills Competition trends is recommended to improve adaptability and practical skills. While this study provides valuable insights, it is limited to the past 13 years and Facial and Body Treatment tasks, excluding other aspects of Beauty Therapy. Future research should investigate trends in Make-up, Nail Care, and Hair Removal tasks and incorporate creativity and artistry evaluations.