Worldskills will take place from 6-9 October at Excel London, the first time that the globetrotting event will be staged in the capital. Its last UK outing was in Birmingham in 1989.
Worldskills takes place every two years and attracts around 45,000 international attendees. The 38th Worldskills took place at Helsinki in 2005, and the next one will visit Japan in 2007.
Visit London chief executive James Bidwell said: "Hosting Worldskills in London will benefit the community significantly by encouraging excellence in vocational skills and combating skills shortages in the future. It demonstrates the momentum and catalytic effect of London's host status for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games."
Visit London, UK Skills and one of its partner management firms Competitive Edge, worked together to win the bid in January. The UK beat off competition from Australia, Sweden and France.
Excel chief executive Jamie Buchan said: "I am confident that London will stage a world-class event which will ensure a major legacy in the development of the skills agenda."
Competitors take part to win gold, silver and bronze medals, with a medallion of excellence given to those who score above the world class standard of 500 points.
- Visit London will launch its new business branding at London Venue Expo from 28-29 June at Excel.
It will also encourage visitors and exhibitors to enter the Visit London Awards that take place on 23 November at the refurbished Roundhouse. A Business Event category has been created in addition to the Business Venue award.