Championing Skills for Africa: Abraham Mundengo’s WorldSkills Legacy

A WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition Competitor in Information Network Cabling, Abraham Mundengo from Zambia, is dedicated to advancing skills development in Africa. He works as a Computer Lab Technician at Zambia University College of Technology, where he earned his diploma and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, specializing in Network Administration and Technology Development.

Abraham was not interested in computers until secondary school, when he became part of a school club and was put in charge of his school’s computer lab. He helped other students type their reports, worked with the computers, tidied up the lab, and made sure everything ran smoothly.

This early experience sparked his interest in IT, but it was career counselling that convinced him to pursue a diploma in the field. “A certain consultant engineer told me about the future of information technology, and how powerful it could be for our society,” explains Abraham. “He said that if I got into this space now and was ready, it would be beneficial both for me and the country. So that’s what made me sign up for the programme.”

Born and raised in Zambia’s North-Western province, an area with large deposits of copper, Abraham received a scholarship from the mining sector, which helped him cover his fees and accommodation, allowing him to pursue his diploma. He then went on to earn a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, and got the opportunity for an internship back at his college. Having worked as an intern helped him secure his current role.

His interest in networking and cabling grew during his studies, when he set up and maintained the college’s network. “I used to love working with network cables. I would work with staff members and other students to do network cabling around the campus, set up labs, and fix network issues. That’s where my passion started,” he says. This passion eventually led him to compete in Information Network Cabling at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Osaka, Japan.

Reflecting on his WorldSkills experience, Abraham admits that at first, he underestimated the Competition. “When people explained WorldSkills, I still didn’t quite get the picture. I thought maybe it was just one of those competitions. But when I got to South Korea for training, I saw the level of preparation and realized this was serious. Then, when I competed in Osaka, that’s when I truly felt the pressure, the impact, and the environment of WorldSkills.” The experience not only tested his skills but also opened his eyes to the global standard of technical education and industry expectations.

As part of his job, Abraham supports students in practical labs, ensuring they gain hands-on experience in networking and systems administration. “I love passing on the practical lessons I have learned. The WorldSkills experience gave me a much-needed boost in delivering lessons and mentoring students.” He also continues to support WorldSkills Zambia’s national competitions, acting as a Workshop Manager and a mentor for future competitors. He is also involved in preparations for WorldSkills Africa Livingstone 2025, which Zambia will be hosting.

Abraham is deeply committed to changing the perception of skills education in Africa. “There is a misconception that skills are meant for dropouts or those who don’t do well academically. But skills are much more valuable than that. Skills are an equalizer. They are an important ingredient in a nation’s economic and social success.” After competing in 2022, he explains, he became a role model and an inspiration to the young people in his community.

During his term as part of the WorldSkills Championship Trust, Abraham wants to advocate for the inclusion of more apprenticeship programmes and internships as a way to bridge the skills gap within the African continent. He is looking forward to interacting with policymakers, practitioners, and industry to push forward effective skills development programmes in Africa.