WorldSkills Champions Trust prepare to become global advocates for skills

The WorldSkills Champions Trust Training Camp brought together the newly appointed youth ambassadors of the WorldSkills movement. Held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 28 April to 3 May, new and returning representatives honed their storytelling and social media skills, preparing to become powerful advocates for skills development around the world.

Over the course of the week, the Champions received expert guidance on storytelling, audience engagement, and multimedia production. Supporting one another in identifying the most insightful moments from their personal skills journeys, they each crafted and delivered a speech at the end of the training – just the first of many they will share during their two-year term as part of the Champions Trust.

“One of the biggest takeaways from this week was definitely meeting everybody, hearing everyone’s unique stories, and being inspired by them,” said Leyla Valiyeva, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Middle East & North Africa. “I am really excited for what the next two years have in store for us. I truly hope our voices will help make a change in the world.”

For Aapo Paunonen, representative for Europe, connecting with the other members helped him recognize the importance of his new role. He noted that the camp helped him shape his message as a youth ambassador into “an impactful statement.”

A key purpose of the Training Camp was to help the cohort build connections and appreciate the richness of their diversity.

“We had a cultural exchange where we got to talk about the different challenges youth are facing around the world – whether it’s gender inequality, sustainability, or unemployment. It was fascinating to see how different upbringings led us to a common goal of embracing skills and making a global impact,” said Narmeen Almarzooq, also a representative for MENA.

Similar reflections were shared by Mihle Mvelakubi, returning for a second term as representative for Africa. Mihle highlighted the “sense of community” as one of the most valuable aspects of the training, along with the mutual respect and support that transcended cultures and personal differences.

“Collaborating in group projects, sharing our journeys, and discussing our future goals created bonds that I think will last a lifetime,” he said.

Alongside Mihle, three other Champions are returning as representatives for the 2025 to 2026 term. They are uniquely positioned to support their peers through this next step in their WorldSkills journey.

“It was so inspiring to hear about my colleagues’ different journeys and how they became the incredible individuals they are today. As a returning Champions Trust member this term, I’m honoured to help them share their stories with the world and create real impact,” said Rachel Crawford, representative for Oceania and ASEAN.

The week also offered time for fun activities, some of which have become cherished traditions at each edition of the camp. A scavenger hunt and city tour around Lisbon gave the group a chance to bond while exploring the city’s charm.

The group also designed and tested their official WorldSkills Champions Trust shoes – a signature item that will distinguish them at WorldSkills and other events as the youth voice of a movement that has become the central stage for skills.

“This week was a chance for the group to get to know each other and build momentum for the next two years. Our goal was to help them develop their key messages, to reflect on the power of skills to change lives, and refine how their individual stories support the WorldSkills mission. We hope this opportunity builds on their time as Competitors and creates another life-changing experience,” said Shawna Bourke, Director of Marketing and Communications for WorldSkills International.

Discover the WorldSkills Champions Trust, its current and former representatives, and how they are helping to promote the value of skills worldwide.