Jens Peter Vestergaard

Competitor in Skill: Bricklaying
Country: Denmark

How did you get interested in your skill?
I was watching Mathias laying bricks; he won the 2’ place in Leipzig 2011. Then I just wanted to be like him or maybe better.

Where did you do your training for your skill?
At Herningsholms Erhvervsskole and EUC Nord in Hjørring. EUC Nord is where my national team coach is a teacher. But most of all my training is at my School.

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I asked my teacher what Mathias was doing, and then he told me that he just had won the Danish championship.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
My Big brother, he was a bricklayer when I was at Holstebro Sports College with handball as my main subject. So he got me in a meeting with his boss, and then I got my apprenticeship. He is also a good bricklayer.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
When I was at the Danish championship, and the competition was finished, I did have a good feeling in my stomach. But when the winner was called up to the stage, and the name was mine, everything was just perfect! The best experience I have ever had.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
I have had a lot of good experiences. It all started with the local championship on our school, then number 1 and 2 is going to the regional championship. Only number 1 is going to the Danish championship, so when I won in my region, I did have a lot of training for the Danish championship and when I won this competition, I had to go for yet another competition against the 2’ place at Copenhagen central train station.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
Yes it does, I am being a lot faster in my movements with the same high quality and of course this will help me in my trade at home with my boss.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I am an apprentice and still needs 1 year and a half before you can call me a fully competent bricklayer. These days are filled with training for the worldskills competition.

What are your future career aspirations?
I hope that when I have completed my apprenticeship, that I still have the desire to build my way further I the future.