Meet past WorldSkills Competitors

In this new article, we’d like to introduce you to six inspiring individuals who have all been part of the WorldSkills movement for years. Hailing from diverse corners of the globe, these former Competitors have not only demonstrated their talents in their respective skills during competitions, but have also made ongoing contributions to the skills community.  

Robin Gillet (France) 

Robin Gillet was a Competitor in Graphic Design Technology for the French National Skills Team at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. He then took on the roles of National and World Expert at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 and WorldSkills Kazan 2019, before becoming Chief Expert for the Special Edition in 2022, and Chief Judge at the Abilympics 2023. He is currently the Sector Manager for Creative Arts and Fashion at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. Besides his WorldSkills experience, Robin moved to London after his studies and later worked in a Parisian communications agency, focusing on the influence of colors on behavior. In 2015, he set up his own graphic design studio and worked for various fields such as culture, sport and nature. He is currently managing director and artistic director of Studio RBN, located in Aix-en-Provence, France. 

Louise Azzopardi (Australia) 

Louise was a ‘Skillaroo’ (nickname for Australian WorldSkills Competitor) in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. She grew up on a farm and naturally started working with her hands to help her parents, which instilled her passion for machines and vehicles. For Louise, “Being a young woman in a masculine industry meant that there were not a lot of mentors that looked like me”. She therefore decided to be involved as a mentor for women in male-dominated skills through one-on-one coaching and workshops. Louise, who faced discrimination at the start of her career as a woman in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance, is now the host of the podcast “Anxious Tradeswoman” and creator of a Facebook community named “Tradeswomen Owning Their Power”, where she helps women in skills show up confidently and proudly to work. 

Mihle Mvelakubi (South Africa) 

Mihle Mvelakubi competed in Bricklaying at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. This South African Champion has been involved in the WorldSkills movement ever since, and is now a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Africa. Enriched by his past as a Competitor, Mihle now owns a Bricklaying company in South Africa and also works as a course facilitator at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training college.

Yane-Nirina Randriamanantsoa (France) 

Yane-Nirina Randriamanantsoa was part of the French National skills team and a Competitor in Fashion Technology for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015, where she won a Medallion for Excellence. She went on to become French Team Leader for the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi team in 2017 and the WorldSkills Kazan team in 2019. After working for 5 years in high-end and luxury clothing companies following her Competition, she set up her own sewing business, “Nirina Confection“, to make tailor-made outfits for weddings and ceremonies. For WorldSkills Lyon 2024, she has now taken on the role of Workshop Manager in Fashion Technology. 

Yashika (India)  

Yashika is a young student from India, who competed in Industry 4.0 at the Special Edition of the WorldSkills Competition in 2022. Today, she wishes to “empower individuals to step into the transformative landscape of India’s fourth industrial revolution, particularly in the realm of small-scale industries.” She aspires to inspire other students about research, industry, driven by her “curiosity nurtured through skill acquisition and training.” In addition to her knowledge and interest in her skill, Yashika also promotes the inclusion of women in the industry sector. For her, it is important to “champion the inclusion of women in the industrial sphere, catalyzing a paradigm shift towards diversity and innovation”. 

Muhammad Din (Malaysia) 

Muhammad took part in WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 as a Competitor for the Malaysian Skills team in Bricklaying. As a result of his participation, he then got the opportunity to work as a professional bricklayer in the United Kingdom, where he was able to further develop his skills for a few months. After this international experience, Muhammad got back to his home country to create the first-ever specialist bricklaying training centre in Malaysia: Mallon Training Centre. He is now passing on his passion, experience and skills to younger professionals in training.