WorldSkills Champions impress the machine industry's best

When WorldSkills promised its Champions an exchange program that would open doors to first-class employers, the forward-thinking Human Resources department at Dynamate saw a unique opportunity.

Lured by the chance to work with some of the world’s best skilled young people, Dynamate quickly extended an invitation to WorldSkills Champions into its manufacturing plants.

Home to 1200 staff, work at Dynamate is spread across three-plants; in Sweden’s North, West and just outside of Stockholm. At the core of the business are more than 500 maintenance machines, designed to perform corrective and preventative maintenance for leading truck manufacturer, Scania.

These machines are under constant scrutiny to ensure stringent health and safety requirements are met and an efficient flow of production is maintained at all times. Such rigorous procedures have earned Dynamate a reputation as ‘one of the most comprehensive and well-structured maintenance strategies in the industry’.

As the crux of their business, Dynmate is very selective about who they put at the helm of operating this expensive and valuable machinery. So, you might ask, why is Dynamate so keen to invite foreign young people - whom they have not seen, nor met - to work with these machines?

Because they’re WorldSkills Champions.

Despite being young and not speaking Sweden’s native tongue, WorldSkills Champions have all the characteristics that high-quality employers like Scania see as essential.

‘They’re bright, skilled, hardworking and keen to learn,’ says Karina Gjedsted, Human Resources Manager for Dynamate.

‘We see an opportunity with the WorldSkills Champions Exchange to have some of the very best skilled young people work with us, and it helps us reach a new pool of talent outside Swedish borders. These young people not only bring a high level of skill, they’ve got new perspectives and unique experiences that help us to grow and learn.’

Dynamate not only see the business value in engaging WorldSkills Champions at their plants, they’re also keen supporters of the personal development of young people.

‘It’s a win-win situation. We get great workers, but we’re also able to provide young people with an opportunity to travel, experience culture and live away from their homes,’ says Karina.

‘We see great value in global exposure, for both the young people and Dynamate. Our work spreads through the Netherlands, France, Argentina and Brazil, so it makes perfect sense to have a global spread in our employee base too’.

Dynamate is already working with two WorldSkills Champions, from Nothern Ireland and Morocco, and are eagerly awaiting interest from other Champions.

‘We have found the WorldSkills Champions to be hard working, fast learners and most of all, they have great personalities. We look forward to working with more of them.’