Global projects developed at the Champions Forum

The 28 young professionals that participated in the latest Champions Forum held at General Assembly 2016 in Niagara Falls, Canada, were presented with a challenge to create bold projects ideas using their expertise as WorldSkills Champions.

They worked in groups to brainstorm and formalize practical projects that engage other Champions, raise the profile of WorldSkills, and improve the world with the power of skills. 

The Champions benefited from mentorship by Matthew Bell (Autodesk), Sean Kearney (IAPMO), Kayleen McCabe (DIY Network and McCabe Foundation), as well as the WorldSkills Champions Trust before presenting four projects ideas to the General Assembly delegates. 

To stay connected to the WorldSkills Champions work with Autodesk Design Academy and to see highlights of the Champions presentations visit the Autodesk Champions webpage.

“Each Champion has a unique WorldSkills experience that has brought them out of their everyday classroom and work environment, and turned them into global citizens,” said Matthew Bell, Global Strategic Partnerships Manager, Autodesk Education. 

“What began as an individual challenge demonstrating their skill on the world stage, results in Competitors becoming part of a global family that is only successful because others before them shared their passion for their skill. It is inspiring to see, through projects like this, the Champions eagerness to pay forward their appreciation for the experiences they gained. I am excited to see what they come up with next!” 

Now in partnership with Autodesk, the Champions Trust, along with the Champion Forum participants are exploring the next steps in bringing the projects to life.

The first project proposed was Skills Connects Camps, aimed at exposing youth to various skills through workshops, team building activities, and hands-on projects. The Camps would create interactive opportunities for youth to test drive a skill, and establish their hidden talents in a fun and creative format.

The Champions will be conducting an audit of all WorldSkills Member countries and regions to see what is currently done for skills camps, with the plans to create a transferable toolkit that all Members and partners can access and build their own skills camp.

The important issue of sustainability was tackled by the second group at the Champions Forum. The group of Champions recognized that although much has been done to improve the sustainability of WorldSkills Competitions, sustainability is an ongoing process. As one goal is achieved the next must be set, such as continually evaluating all waste from WorldSkills related events and activities, and identifying ways to decreases costs of all activities.

The team is beginning their project by evaluating the work currently being done in WorldSkills to improve sustainability and becoming part of the ongoing sustainability conversations. They will also be working on spreading the message on how WorldSkills, and its Members and partners, are promoting sustainability as a core value of all events and activities.

The third group tackled the issue of homelessness, envisioning a world where homelessness isreduced by building up communities and the quality of peoples` lives with the power and passion of skills. The work would begin with hosting a worldwide Digital Design Challenge to design a shelter for a developing country or refurbish an existing run down building.

The group identified their next steps are to work with Autodesk to develop the parameters for a design challenge that would harness the knowledge and expertise of people around the world, and evaluate how the building of shelters could be part of a future Competition as a demonstration skill.

The fourth group presented ideas and awareness on the refugee crisis in Rwanda, where 70% of 81,000 Burundian refugees are living in emergency shelters with an additional 1,000 to 3,000 refugees arriving every month. The group aims to collaborate with existing charities to provide technical expertise in three main areas: first aid, emergency shelters, and water sanitation.

Through funding support of Autodesk, the Champions’ next steps are to identify a refugee camp in Rwanda to work with and create a programme to take a small group of Champions to the camp to build relationships and understand the crisis they face. There, they will identify the requirements for building a skills centre at the Camp and how to best utilize Champions to share their expertise.

If you are a Champion and want to learn more about the projects join the Champions Facebook group. Also visit the Champions Forum and Autodesk Champions webpage for more information. 

 Watch video of the presentation 
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