Meet the WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives for 2023 to 2024: Yousra Assali
Yousra Assali, 2023 to 2024 Champions Trust returning representative (and former 2019 to 2022 representative), is the first Moroccan woman Competitor in Electronics, at WorldSkills Kazan 2019. She has always been passionate about Electronics and knew from an early age that her passion would eventually become her profession.
Why did you apply to become a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative? How did it feel to be elected?
I applied because my field is male-dominated: I was discriminated against, and people told me to go and study something else. I wanted to become a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative to pass on this message: don’t underestimate people, especially women, and be the change you want to see in life. This message is important to me, and I wanted to be a role model and represent women, more specifically African, Moroccan, and Arab women. Being elected was a huge joy.
How would you describe the WorldSkills movement in three words?
Change, Growth and Learning.
What is your advice to current Competitors and how do you wish to inspire them as a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative?
Don’t underestimate yourself, don’t be afraid of failure and try not to focus only on the “Competition aspect”. Give it your all and enjoy the moment.
“If you are passionate, don’t listen to preconceived ideas. Follow that passion.”
What would you say to a young person hesitating to enter a skill-based education and training path?
For me, vocational training is the best. It allows you to train in the real world. If you are passionate, don’t listen to preconceived ideas. Follow that passion.
Do you have a favorite WorldSkills memory, an anecdote to share?
I have so many good memories! But my best memory was during the Competition, at the Parade of Nations. It was emotional to see all these different countries coming together, this passion for all these different skills. I thought about my personal journey: all the discrimination I had to face and the determination it took to get there and represent my country.
