Throughout high school, I was considered an above average student and when it came time to choose a career, everyone in my class was asking the question, "What are you going to do?"

My response was "motor vehicle repair". My classmates practically laughed in my face. They figured you needed a university degree."

Since winning the gold medal for Car Painting, and earning a spot on Team Canada, those same people are now shaking my hand and congratulating me on what a success I have become.

I was given the opportunity to train with some of Canada's best autobody technicians, enabling me to improve my skills and confidence. International competitions have opened my eyes to different cultures, trades and skill levels. Since I became involved with Skills Canada, I have seen changes in the way people look at both me and my trade.

(Back when I was a boy scout) my leader was always concerned about our welfare and joked that we'd better get our act together or we'll be doing the same job as him [painting & decorating]. However, the thought of having a career in painting & decorating intrigued me, and I took it from there.

Competing in skills competitions enabled me to learn more skills and put them into practice. Representing the UK at WorldSkills 2003 was an incredible experience. After competing at WorldSkills, I felt that I'd matured as a person and craftsman, and had renewed belief in my dream of running my own business.

I am very happy with my chosen career. I get to meet a wide range of different people and my job is never dull. The vocational route has definitely worked for me; I've been fortunate to be involved in many things that I could never have dreamed.

Amy Durrant from Brigg in Lincolnshire undertook a pre-farriery course when she was 16 at Warwickshire College then spent a year as an apprentice.

Amy went on to learn welding skills on the ECITB's National Skills Development Scheme (NSDS) at Mitsui Babcock's welder training centre.

Her passion for welding grew and in 2002 she successfully competed in the SkillWELD competition. Amy was selected to represent the UK in welding at the 2003 WorldSkills Competition, where she was tested on all aspects of welding practice.

Like other members of the UK team, Amy underwent an intensive six-month training program prior to the WorldSkills Competition to sharpen her technical skills. An assessment by City & Guilds confirmed that the scale and quality of this intensive training program fully met the standards required for the City & Guilds Licentiateship, and so for the first time in 2003, UK Skills and City & Guilds introduced the Licentiateship (LCGI) program to the training for the UK Team. Amy was awarded the Licentiateship (LCGI) in May 2004.

Amy is determined to continue in the welding industry: "Learning a skill has dramatically altered my career prospects. It has enabled me to be successful in the welding industry and has allowed me to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Competition. The more I learn, the more opportunities there are for a rewarding and varied career in the industry."

(I was) not looking forward to university. I spoke with my high school counselor. She showed me the course offerings at the local vocational school.

It was amazing to compete among the most skilled young people in the world and represent Canada at WorldSkills. To win both a silver and place fourth overall among the best in the world is an amazing feeling.

The experience gained from the competition cannot be summarized in a few sentences. Not only has it taught me to look beyond my limits. Before this I tried to never compete, because I didn't like it. Being allowed to compete here was different though, it was an honour to go and defend my country.

Not only have I vested for myself a place in world rankings, I have also gained myself a great career and a 'world' of experience. (Today) I’m building a career as a specialist in network security for a large telecommunications company. Very challenging, but very rewarding!

You see, I'm not the type who can "study well". My parents were exasperated with me – they believed that artists usually end up poor and struggling to make ends meet! But drawing was what I had always wanted to do.

(WorldSkills) was an incredible learning experience that widened my horizons and abilities. The chance to win in an international competition for your country is a unique experience and not something that everyone would get. Most people don't see the efforts that we put into training – the blood, sweat and tears – and the satisfaction of the final achievement. There are no books and no set answers for designing, just a desperate need to find the right "feel" while the clock ticks away.

I was also exposed to different cultures and lifestyles, especially the way people from other countries approach design. I learnt a lot from the other competitors in my event and, even today, we still keep in contact on the Internet to share tips and exchange pointers on our work. My circle of friends has become global.

(Today, I work at Geeksigners)... a company my partners and I co-founded. We do a variety of design: from hand illustrations to computer animation, posters to graffiti walls, and even a few websites. We have a mix of talents among us; we can find solutions to meet most of your publicity and branding needs!

Edited from a contribution by the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore

Social & Personal Services

I knew I had talent but sitting in a classroom just wasn't for me. I'm a hands-on type of person and cooking is something that has interested me since I was young.

It was a great honour to represent the UK in hospitality. The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest skills competition there is and it was an amazing experience. I felt proud to be competing against the best young chefs from around the world.

I always aim to continually improve my skills as a chef. Skills competitions enable me to learn... (and) fine-tune my skills.

I've been fortunate to travel the world as a result of skills competitions. However, the most satisfying thing of all is gaining the respect of my work colleagues and admiration from friends and family. I've moved quickly through the ranks of the chef-grading system and I have been given more responsibilities at work. If I can do it, you can too.