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19 October 2015

Calling Champions: Get involved!

In 2014, WorldSkills launched the WorldSkills Champions Trust (WSCT) - a new initiative to inspire and motivate WorldSkills Champions to stay involved in the movement beyond the Competition. The avenues of engagement and related benefits were anticipated as being virtually limitless and truly win-win for Champions and the WorldSkills community alike. The Champions Trust pilot project, comprised of six Champions, promoted dialogue between all Champions and the WorldSkills community, and encouraged Champions to share their talent and time through mentoring aspiring Champions and participating in community projects.

Now, the Champions Trust is ready to move to the next phase - increasing to a total of nine representatives from different countries and regions to engage the Champion community internationally, and provide a voice for Champions heard at all levels of WorldSkills. They will have the chance to join leadership and media training sessions, forums and conferences, and be recognized as representatives of the talented and dedicated Champions that currently number over 15,000 worldwide. Participants will engage in WorldSkills Board of Directors meetings, and may accompany Board members during presentations to provide the personal stories that inspire and motivate audiences everywhere. The WSCT will actively seek project ideas to present to the WorldSkills Foundation, and WSCT participants will have the opportunity to join in community-based projects that tap their talent to improve our world.

All Champions (from WorldSkills London 2011, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, and WorldSkills São Paulo 2015) have the opportunity to apply to join the Champions Trust. Currently, there are openings for new participants, and the eligibility criteria for appointment and materials required for application can be found at www.worldskills.org/wsct. Take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work closely with your peer Champions around the world; make a difference in the role Champions play in WorldSkills in the years beyond a Competition; and ensure that the impact of the WorldSkills movement continues to grow. Build your resume and your network; and feel great about the way in which you are making a difference. The application period for the 2016-2017 term is open until 30 October; so, apply now to be considered for the 2016-2017 term.

Being a participant in the Champions Trust has more than just impact on the WorldSkills community; it affects the Champions who are a part of the group. Ricardo Vivian (Brazil) - a Gold Medallist in Graphic Design Technology at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 - participated in the pilot Champions Trust group. Training up to the Competition, Ricardo was mentored by Guilherme Vieira - a Silver Medallists from WorldSkills London 2011. "The Champions Trust has a really important role to play in the expansion of the WorldSkills movement - discussing how to engage people beyond the competitions and setting up how to work with WorldSkills," says Ricardo. "One of the greatest experiences for me was the chance to participate on the Champions panel during the WorldSkills Leaders Forum (at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015). It's just great when young professionals have the opportunity to discuss education and important issues with really experienced professionals and specialists in different areas. Plus, it helped me expand my own network. Right after the panel, I was invited to become involved with several organizations. I even received a job offer to work in SENAI, where I had studied graphic design!"

Why apply now? The reasons to join the WorldSkills Champions Trust are many; let's look at the top reasons to apply:

  1. You will get to meet experts, professionals, thought leaders, educators, and representatives from the highest levels of TVET from around the globe.
  2. Don't forget what being excellent in your skill area is all about - you have so much to pass along to the next generation of Champions. Go for it!
  3. Volunteer! WorldSkills really needs Champions who can tell their success stories.
  4. Use your own social media network to talk up the amazing WorldSkills experience - recruit future Champions in your skill. You will be a hero, and you will learn a lot.
  5. Support finding ways to reach out to and engage Champions - do you know that since 1950 there have been more than 15,000 WorldSkills Champions at the global Competition level? Get to know these amazing people - many of whom are Experts, Delegates, and volunteers today.
  6. Play a part in developing the leadership skills that go along with your own skills in an area or sector - WorldSkills is about growing skilled leaders who will change the world.
  7. Help identify and initiate projects that tap into your own and other skills to improve local communities, and then scale up to making the world a better place for all of us.
  8. Get over the "post-Competition feelings" and keep your competitive edge. You are a Champion forever!
  9. Meet other really cool Champions - learn from them, form friendships, and professional connections around the world.
  10. And the final reason: Be a leaders for the Champions. It's about giving back, makes you feel great about who you are, and how you are personally improving the world with the power of your skill. Remember, the period to apply to join the WorldSkills Champions Trust closes 30 October, 2015. Share your treasure - your skill - and bring your passion and energy to the WorldSkills Champions Trust. Being a Champion is more than a moment in time; it's an approach to a lifetime of making a difference. 

Hear from WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives how you can make a difference: