Autodesk supports WorldSkills Champions

When dozens of WorldSkills Champions from around the world unite at the WorldSkills Champions Forum 2016 in Niagara Falls, Canada they will experience more than an inspiring week with past WorldSkills Competitors, they will develop projects that engage other Champions, raise the profile of WorldSkills, and improve the world with the power of skills.

WorldSkills is thrilled to announce that our Global Industry Partner, Autodesk has committed to support the WorldSkills Champions Forum 2016 on the top level – as a Gold Sponsor. 

“Connecting with world class talent at the Champions Forum is the ideal way for Autodesk to combine our support for WorldSkills and our belief that good design is at the heart of solving the simplest to the most complex problems,” said Matthew Bell, Global Strategic Partnerships Manager, Autodesk Education.

The Champions Forum harnesses the skills of Champions alongside the experience and resources of partner organizations, like Autodesk, to bring projects to fruition.

During the week of 1-7 October 2016, participants will work together with Autodesk to develop projects that draw upon the Champions’ skills, unique perspectives, and design experience to solve problems. Through this partnership, Champions will receive access to Fusion 360, Autodesk’s latest cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform for product development, Autodesk will ensure Champions ideas can be easily transformed into amazing designs.

“Throughout our ongoing partnerships with WorldSkills we’ve seen the impact of global collaboration,” notes Matthew Bell of Autodesk. “From our support of World Youth Skills Day to the Champions Forum and the upcoming WorldSkills Competition, it is an exciting time to be part of the WorldSkills community.”

Leading up to World Youth Skills Day, 15 July 2016, Autodesk hosted a training program of Fusion 360 to young people in Diepsloot, South Africa in preparation for the Fusion Design Hub Challenge. The challenge provides a unique opportunity to work alongside international skills teams from USA, Australia, India, and South Africa to bring design solutions to life through the physical installation of 14 new toilet units. 

The Community Plumbing Challenge (CPC), organized by Global Partner, IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) partners plumbing teams from around the world and with local plumbing teams to build sustainable communal toilet and washing facilities, using the designs from the Fusion Design Hub Challenge. Throughout the project locals are developing skills that improve sanitation issues, while working alongside skilled professionals with diverse international experiences. 

“When we work with students new to design, as well as Champions with years of intense design experience, it is a thrill for them to see their design ideas come to life to solve real life problems,” said Bell. “Whether we are in Diepsloot, South Africa or Niagara Falls, Canada sharing our passion for inspired design is a powerful experience with unlimited opportunity to improve the world.”

For more information, visit the Fusion Design Hub and WorldSkills Champions Forum.

Additional partnership opportunities are available for the WorldSkills Champions Forum 2016. If you wish to participate, contact Alex Musial, alex.musial@worldskills.org.