Shae White

Champions Trust Regional Representative for Americas

Shae White grew up around people who loved cooking, so she spent a big part of her childhood in the kitchen. At the age of eight she already knew that she would become a chef. After high school, Shae joined culinary school and completed an internship at a renowned Barbados hotel, where she was given a permanent position. 

In 2019, she represented Barbados in Cooking at WorldSkills Kazan 2019. She competed against 45 Competitors from around the world and was awarded with the Best of Nation award. Soon after, she became the youngest member of the WorldSkills Champions Trust representing the Americas and the first representative from the Caribbean. 

One of her main goals in joining the Champions Trust was to help develop the WorldSkills movement in the region, where she thinks that much work is still required to put skills at the forefront. To her, the WorldSkills Champions Trust is a fantastic platform for youth not only to have a voice, but a space to share experiences and find ways to make things easier for future generations. 

Shae recently moved to Toronto, Canada from where she will continue representing the WorldSkills Champions Trust during the term 2023-24. In this new stage in her life, Shae wants to continue exploring new possibilities and learning through those. She is currently employed by an agency, which allows her to apply her skills in different setups and types of kitchens. As she hones her expertise, Shae wants to prepare for Canada’s Red Seal examination that provides certifications for qualified skilled journeypersons across the country.

We interviewed Shae when she first joined the Champions Trust in 2019. The interview is archived and her views might have changed. 

When did you know that your skill lit a spark in you that other professions didn't?
There was never another option for me, I never thought about any other career path. When I was eight years old, I told my parents I wanted to be a chef, obviously they thought I’d change my mind. However, 11 years later and I’m still here.
 
What is your favourite WorldSkills memory?
Kazan was an eye-opening experience for me. I’d definitely say that my favorite memory was being surrounded by such passion and drive for cooking. Seeing so many young people so passionate about something that I also love was surreal.
 
Why is being part of WorldSkills important after your competition is over?
It’s important to ensure that youth have a voice. By continuing being a part of WorldSkills we can inspire even more young people to follow their dreams. Also, being a member of Champions Trust gives me an avenue to meet new people and explore diffident cultures all the while growing as a person and a young, skills professional. In addition, it also gives me a different perspective than the one I would’ve had as a Competitor, that in and of itself will be a totally new experience.
 
What would you tell your 12-year-old self about your future?
I’d tell her there will be times of uncertainty, times when nothing is going to plan and you’re going to want to give up. But don’t. Believe in yourself in the moments where no one else does, and the things you will do and accomplish you would’ve never dreamt of. Everything you want to do is within your grasp, all you have to do is reach for it.
 
What do you want senior policy makers to know about skilled jobs and skilled professionals?
I want them to know that young skills professionals are just as important as any other given field, like law and medicine. At the end of the day you need skills professionals and their skills in order for the world to function. We are valid, we are the future.