Members of the WorldSkills Champions Trust, WSCT a collective of young professionals who have shone in a range of categories at previous editions of the world championship of vocational skills are heading to WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 to lend their expertise in the competition itself and in both the WorldSkills Conference 2017 and the International TVET Youth Forum that take place on its sidelines.

They will be active throughout the competition, in their roles as advocates for the WorldSkills movement and as promoters of the benefits of active involvement and engagement with WorldSkills and WorldSkills Foundation projects, initiatives, and activities.

The WSCT is a group of nine young people who work together to help bridge the gap between the WorldSkills winner and the WorldSkills movement beyond the competition. The initiative was developed by Champions for Champions at the WorldSkills Champions Forum 2014 in Lucerne, Switzerland, when the idea was formed to establish an advisory group to work closely throughout the year with WorldSkills.

WorldSkills Champion Chirag Goel of India, who participated in the Web Design Skill in WorldSkills Sqo Paulo 2015, said being at the 44th WorldSkills competition "feels like coming back home."

"From being a competitor at the last competition to now being part of the WorldSkills Champions Trust, being a part of the TVET Youth Forum, the conference programme and so much more makes me feel honoured. As competitors, we go into the competition as boys and girls, but walk out as men and women.

"Skills have helped me develop an identity. Now, people recognise me as someone who not only has a skill but has competed at the highest level representing their skill and industry. Every single WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 competitor will be called a champion after the competition, and I wish them all the best of luck," he added.

Gary Condon of Ireland, who participated in the Plastering and Drywall Systems Skill in WorldSkills London 2011, said, "Skills have completely changed my life for the better. They have moulded me into the person I am today. Since competing in WorldSkills London I have matured and progressed into a senior position, and I would not be there without competing in WorldSkills, as I may have never been recognised."

Being in Abu Dhabi, as the UAE capital prepares to host the 44th biennial WorldSkills Competition, the first time it will be held in the Middle East and North Africa region, feels "amazing," according to Gary.

"I have been involved with the setup of the skill I competed in six years ago, as the company I work for, Saint-Gobain, is the skill sponsor. It is amazing to think back to six years ago, and the feelings of nervousness and fear I had then, compared to the excitement I feel now," he added.

World Skills Champion Anna Prokopenia of Russia, who participated in the Pâtisserie and Confectionery Skill in S?o Paulo 2015, is also excited to return to the biggest vocational skills competition in the world and see the event from a different perspective than as a competitor.

"The WorldSkills Competition is a festival of professionals. It is a great pleasure to be a spectator here, and still be a part of a WorldSkills family. When I was a competitor, I felt excited about my actions at the workshop, but now I feel excitement for all the competitors, experts and organisers. It is much more complicated, but also less nerve-wracking, and I feel really grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the competition again," she added.

WorldSkills Champion Jenica Branscombe of Canada, who participated in the Beauty Therapy Skill in WorldSkills London 2011, said being a competitor in the biggest global showcase of vocational skills gave her opportunities she never dreamed of and described being in Abu Dhabi as a WSCT member as "overwhelming."

"I am just excited to relive one of the best and most memorable times of my life. I will be participating in the youth forum and conference programme, in addition to taking part in tours and engaging with champions. But most of all, I will be having fun!"

The other current members of the WSCT are Barthelemy Deutsch of Belgium, who completed the Restaurant Service Skill in WorldSkills Leipzig 2013; Rachel Chloe Chua of Singapore, who participated in the Caring Skill in WorldSkills London 2011; Ricardo Vivian of Brazil, who participated in the Graphic Design Technology Skill in WorldSkills Leipzig 2013; Tayla Schou of South Africa, who competed in the Cooking Skill in WorldSkills S?o Paulo 2015; and Victor Simon of France, who participated in the Manufacturing Team Challenge Skill at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.