Beyond the podium: A life-long commitment to skills development

Adele Di Bella from Australia has built a thriving business in Sydney, after winning a Medallion for Excellence in Pâtisserie and Confectionery at WorldSkills Sāo Paulo 2015. She says, “I am passionate about being a pastry chef. Currently, I run a hospitality business where I dedicate most of my time, applying all the skills I’ve gained over the years.”

Her WorldSkills training taught her valuable lessons in discipline, resilience, and consistency. Yet she admits the best lesson she took away was the importance of practice. Adele says, “WorldSkills helped me grow a mindset focused on continuous improvement, which has been essential to my ongoing success in my career.”

She explains, “In my business, I am an all-rounder. I do everything from pastry chef to barista, waitress to customer service. I apply the knowledge and skills I developed through my training, and I am always striving to keep learning and improving to the best of my ability.”

Adele says competing in Brazil on the global stage for skills made her appreciate the value of training and laid down some valuable foundations that have helped her succeed long after her moment on the podium.

She says, “My WorldSkills experience has played a significant role in shaping the work I do now. It has pushed me to constantly refine my techniques, think creatively, and problem-solve on the spot. It taught me the importance of adaptability and it has given me confidence to confront the various challenges I’ve encountered in my career.”

In China, another young Champion, Xinyuan Chen, puts his accomplishments as a teacher down to his desire to keep on learning.

Chen competed in Cloud Computing at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition and won a gold medal. While he is deeply proud of his achievement, it is not what makes him happiest. He says, “For me, the greatest joy isn’t winning the gold medal, but the journey of learning this skill.”

Chen is currently a teacher at Shenzhen City Polytechnic, teaching the next generation of students. He is a passionate advocate for life-long learning and believes it is the reason behind his success as a WorldSkills Champion, and as a teacher now.

He says, “The relentless pursuit of excellence is the driving force behind my continuous progress and innovation. It fuels my determination to surpass my own limits and pushes me to step out of my comfort zone time and again. This pursuit encourages me to acquire new skills, gain new experiences, and ultimately unleash my full potential.”

He hopes to instil this same passion and belief in skills development into the students he trains, saying, “Competition training was primarily about improving my own professional skills. Now, as a teacher and coach, my focus is on sharing my knowledge and experience to help others enhance their abilities. Some have gone on to become WorldSkills Champions too, while others have joined top companies and contributed to the growth of China’s cloud computing industry.”

Both Adele and Chen recognize that continuous learning is vital for their professional and personal growth, especially in a world that is transforming rapidly.

Chen says, “The rapid iteration of cloud computing and IT technologies makes continuous learning and training essential for acquiring new skills and knowledge. At the same time, it enhances my creativity and problem-solving abilities, enabling me to tackle challenges and adapt more effectively to evolving changes.”

Adele agrees, saying, “Continuing to learn keeps me adaptable and relevant in a constantly evolving world. Skills and knowledge that were once adequate can become outdated, so staying current ensures I stay on track and remain open to new opportunities. Ongoing learning also fosters personal growth, sparks inspiration and innovation, and plays a crucial role in achieving long-term success.”

These two young people are in no doubt that their professional achievements are down to their belief in lifelong learning and their commitment to ongoing skills development – a belief that grew out of their experience on the global stage for skills.

Learn more about how WorldSkills has developed the global stage for skills over the last 75 years.