WorldSkills Champions Trust representative Yousra Assali invites Competitors to join her in making their mark

As a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative, Yousra has been a strong advocate for youth participation in policymaking. She believes that governments need to engage young people in decision-making processes, particularly when it affects their future careers and prospects.

She reflects, “It is considered that young people don’t know what we want, or that we have no idea about the future. But the truth is things are getting better through youth. We are that future, and we should have a seat at the table.”

Yousra is passionate about mentoring aspiring Competitors, and empowering other women in Africa. She explains, “I wanted to become a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative to pass on this message: do not underestimate people, especially women, and be the change you want to see in life.”

Her role on the Champions Trust has taken Yousra to almost every continent. She has grown personally and professionally and, in doing so, she has had a significant impact on young people around the world. She joined debates on World Youth Skills Day for UNESCO and webinar discussions on International Women’s Day. This September, she will be speaking at WorldSkills Conference 2024.

For Yousra, being part of the WorldSkills Champions Trust has given her a chance to repay the opportunities given to her as a student. She grew up in Tangier, Morocco. Fascinated by technology from a young age, she experimented with fixing things and voraciously reading up about the latest innovations. It led her to study mechatronics at the Vocational Training and Occupational Promotion Bureau (OFPPT).

Her life changed when Yousra’s teacher, a former WorldSkills Expert, recognized her talent in electronics and set her on a path to excellence, first at her national competition and then at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, where she competed in Electronics, becoming the first woman to represent Morocco at a WorldSkills Competition.

Her success gave her the confidence to apply to become a Champions Trust representative. She has served twice, first from 2019 to 2022 and then again from 2023 to 2024, representing the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

With recruitment open for the next cohort of Champions Trust representatives, Yousra is encouraging WorldSkills Competitors to follow her lead and make their own mark on the world. She says, “Looking back, it would have been great to have a role model. I hope I can be an inspiration for those who might be thinking of applying. I would just say, go for it!”

The next team of Champions Trust representatives will serve during 2025 to 2026 in the lead-up to, and during, WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Like Yousra, they will contribute to panels, speak at events, join webinars, and create inspiring content to encourage more people to value skills.

If you are ready to follow in Yousra’s footsteps and make your mark with us, then apply now. Find out more including eligibility criteria and deadlines.