Second WorldSkills Youth Forum begins in Vienna, Austria

During Day 1 of the WorldSkills Youth Forum 2008, the Delegates did all sorts of activities including networking and team building. They got to know each other and more about the WorldSkills movement. In the afternoon the WorldSkills Executive Board came to visit the Delegates and share their vision for the next few days. After mingling and learning from each other, the Executive Board and the Youth Delegates made their way to the grand Vienna City Hall located in beautiful downtown. They were graciously hosted by the City for an evening of fine dining and entertainment. During the speech by WorldSkills International President Jack Dusseldorp quoted one of the Youth Forum Delegates:

“I'm Johanna Obisike from Finland. I competed in Ladies dressmaking at Shizuoka 2007. I'm going to open my own tailors shop right after Youth Forum, so I'm little bit busy at the moment.

I'm excited to come to Austria. One of the best things that WorldSkills has given me (besides the huge development of my skills during the preparation for the Competition of course) are new friends from all over the world.

I just received an e-mail from my fellow competitor from Korea. It has been wonderful to be able to keep in touch with her. At first we had to use pen and paper to communicate, draw pictures to explain what we mean. Now we are using web-translator until she learns more English.

Even though we speak different languages we share the passion for making clothes, maybe some day we'll have a chance to work together.

I hope the spirit of WorldSkills becomes even more open and that besides competing, young people have more opportunities to make friends and share knowledge.”

This shows the power of the WorldSkills movement for the young Champions that have competed at the WorldSkills Competition. It is a lasting, life changing experience for most and they are eager and willing to contribute to the further development of the movement and the WorldSkills organisations, both internationally and nationally/regionally. Day 1 certainly set the standard for the rest of the week which will continue to engage youth in the future direction of the WorldSkills movement. We are all eagerly awaiting this input and ideas.