One hundred days, one hundred stories — #WeAreMaking OurMark

Today, WorldSkills launches a bold new impact campaign to bring together 100 stories of young people who are changing the world through skills.

#WeAreMakingOurMark will build anticipation for the 47th WorldSkills Competition by elevating the voices and stories of Champions, and show why skills are vital to social, economic, and environmental development.

WorldSkills recognizes that young people are living in an increasingly uncertain world. They are entering industries that are in the middle of green and digital transitions. They are seeing evidence of climate breakdown in their hometowns and on a global level. Many are facing barriers in accessing education or segregation because of their gender or ethnicity.

Yet, overwhelmingly, the stories we have collected are ones of optimism. When we ask them to tell us how they are “making their mark”, over 100 young people responded by telling us how they are setting up their own businesses, creating jobs, revolutionizing their industries, improving their communities, acting as national skills ambassadors, and inspiring the next generation through training and advocacy.

That is why, over the coming months, we will be shining a spotlight on 100 people who are having impact in the real world.

People like Abraham. He works in Information Network Cabling in Zambia and wants to improve access to technology in his country. He is using his skill to help set up the latest Starlink internet service so more people can benefit from high-speed internet connections. He says, “I do this as a source of passive income [because] I believe skills must go hand in hand with responsibility in order for us to build a productive society. This is as a result of the positive confidence I got from competitions.”

And people like Louise. She works in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance in Australia and is using her skill and experience to encourage more young women to consider roles in predominantly masculine professions. She says, “Being a young woman in this industry meant that there were not a lot of mentors available that looked like me. I decided to become the person that I wish I had had.” Now she mentors women within her workplace, through workshops, and through her podcast.

Shawna Bourke, Director of Marketing and Communications, believes the campaign will be effective in connecting personal stories of change with global impact. She says, “We received over 100 stories from the young people in our skills community and it has been very special to learn how they are each making their mark. Yet it is when we bring all these voices and stories together, that we can start to see the huge potential that skills represent. Our hope is that in these 100 days before Lyon, #WeAreMakingOurMark will help shift the dial on how skills are perceived, refocus national strategies, and increase investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).”

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, says, “It has never been more important to listen to our young people and understand what motivates them. This campaign is particularly important as we approach WorldSkills Lyon 2024 in September. Not only will our 47th WorldSkills Competition bring more exceptional young people together to compete, but WorldSkills Conference 2024 will host policymakers, officials and thought leaders as we aim to move TVET to the top of the global agenda. We need to pay attention to these stories and identify new ways to help young people like Abraham and Louise make their mark.”

Find out more about the #WeAreMakingOurMark campaign.