"Competitors gain confidence in their professional and personal abilities"

Training Provider - Shiela Marks, North Shore Training Centre

"My employer was willing to help and give me new opportunities - my other friends from WorldSkills have had significant job offers on the basis of showing the initiative to compete, and having proven their ability.

Past National Competitor -Rochelle Eaton, IT

"The experience of competing gave me more confidence and really advanced my career"

Past Regional Competitor - Sven Tulicic

"WorldSkills competitions are great - it gives employees motivation and something to strive for.

Employer - Peter Hornell of Hornell Industries

"Don't think about entering WorldSkills - just do it!"

Past Competitor - Andrew Molyneux, Joinery

"WorldSkills has led me on a new path, I feel that this opportunity could be a real breakthrough in my career and life skills.

Past Competitor - Regan Dickison,Furniture Making

"WorldSkills enables trainees to benchmark skills with other trainees in a competitive environment."

Alister Murray - Executive Director NZ Futrniture ITO

"WorldSkills has had a huge impact on mycareer - every one should have a go.

Past Competitor - Kelly Dalziel, Cookery

"WorldSkills is the ultimate test - against yourself, your skills, and others in the industry. WorldSkills has given me the confidence to know I can make the next step."

Past Competitor - Kelvin Port, Automotive Technology

"At first I just wanted to see if I could be the best in Auckland and then I ended up being placed fifth in theworld!"

Past Competitor - Greig Jordan, Autobody Repair

"WorldSkills is a measure of how we are performing against other companies and provides a major boost in the competence and confidence of our participating employees. This also yields a massive gain to the company through improved teamwork and employees developing way above the norm."

Employer Malcolm Bishop -TechnicalTraining Coordinator, BHP NZ Steel

"When our employees compete - regardless of their results, their confidence and competence receives a tremendous boost."

Employer - Ian Sampson, GeneralManager, Human Resources and External Affairs - BHP NZ Steel

"It gives trainees a feeling of self worth, increased confidence and forms a building block for the future."

Ken Brangwynne, Head of School Engineering & Primary Industries, Waikato Polytechnic

"The main difference I've noticed in my life since my WorldSkills experience is a huge increase in my confidence. I now believe that nothing is a problem and anything is possible. I've learnt that I can overcome any challenge and that philosophy seems to rub off on the people I work with."

Past Competitor - Glenn Michelle, Turning

"A lot of people are hesitant about getting involved and won't give it a go for fear of failure. What they need to realise is that as well as helping your career, the competitions are a really great time. You form a close team and many good friendships have evolved from my experience.

Past Competitor, Craig Redden - Jewellery

JimmyMcConnell - Maintenance Electrician - Fisher & Paykel

Jimmy McConnell received New Zealand's second silver medal when he competed in Industrial Wiring at the 1995 Skill Olympics in Lyon.

"My 'Skills Experience' started as a first year electrical apprentice back in 1992. I came last but I gained valuable experience, which made me determined to do well next time. Two years later, I entered the competition again and came back better prepared and ready for a challenging day's work. This time round, I qualified for the National finals which was a huge improvement and a rewarding result."

"Being selected to represent New Zealand at the 1995 International Skills Olympics was a dream come true. The training that followed developed all my practical skills even further and improved my job planning, efficiency, focus and ability to work under pressure.
In Lyon, I had the opportunity to compete against young trades people from fourteen different countries, learning from their different work habits and techniques. I was awarded the Silver Medal for Industrial Wiring and the Best of the Nation Award. I could not have done it without the support of my employer, Youth Skills, sponsors and the training and expertise of Gavin Bowden. Youth Skills has definitely opened up wide opportunities in my career and given me lots of confidence in my job"

Andrew Turner - Managing Director - Nautech Electronics Ltd.

A 1989 bronze medal in Industrial Electronics has set Auckland resident, Andrew Turner, well on the road to success.

"Confidence in my own abilities was probably the biggest thing I gained from my Youth Skills experience. No one realises how difficult and stressful the International competition is going to be until they get there. It's an incredibly high pressure situation and if you can overcome the challenge and achieve well in that environment, you gain an invaluable life experience. The skills you take from that can't be found anywhere else".

Those skills were put to good use a few years ago when Andrew's company, Nautech Electronics Ltd., was responsible for the complete installation and commissioning of all the electronic equipment on Whitbred yacht, New Zealand Endeavor.

Since taking part himself, Andrew has remained involved with Youth Skills, first as a judge, then as the Industrial Electronics Skill Expert, and remains a staunch supporter of the Youth Skills concept.

"The competitions are a useful method of identifying trainees who have the drive to really succeed in their careers. People need to have total dedication and a thirst for knowledge in order to thrive within such a high pressure environment".

Aaron Morrison - NZ Representative Carpenter

Aaron would be the first one to admit that he found the going tough in the competitions. The National Finals were difficult in themselves, and then he worked with his National Skill Expert to increase his skill levels in preparation for St Gallan. As a NZ representative to St Gallan, Switzerland in 1997 from Waikato, Aaron competed with distinction against a large field of carpenters. The project included designs not frequently constructed in NZ, and proved to be very difficult. Aaron believed he would not be able to surpass his experience traveling with the NZ team and competing in the International Competition arena, nor bond friendships again that he did whilst with the team. Soon after Aarons return from St Gallan, he was offered the opportunity to travel with the Dusseldoff Foundation (Part of Work Skills Australia), and work with an aid team in Makwe - Zimbabwe. Aaron's skills as a carpenter were invaluable as the group worked to construct a new wing at the school, benches and desks for the students, as well as new toilet block.

The most valuable asset that Aaron and his fellow workers left behind was their skills. A group of locals from Makwe were selected to work with the international skill group to learn their skills of the trade. Since the team has left, several more projects have been completed by the locals - not only in the village of Makwe, but in neighboring villages, leaving behind an invaluable legacy for the future of that region in Zimbabwe.