Manuel Chmiel

• Age: 21 years

Competitor in Skill: Cabinetmaking
Country: Germany

How did you get interested in your skill?
I got interested in cabinetmaking by starting my apprenticeship, but before that I worked a
lot of times with wood. My first work piece was a duck out of plywood which I produced
for my grandma’s birthday when I was 4 years

Where did you do your training for your skill?
I train at the joinery where I work. Also I train round about six weeks whit my personal
trainer at Augsburg.

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I’ve seen a lot of different movies about the organisation on different YouTube channels.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
There where different people who told me, that WorldSkills are a big possibility for my
further career. I’ve learned so much different things for the future already.

What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
The team Germany already met once. There will be one more meeting before the
journey. At the first meeting we got interesting information about Worldskills. In the past
I had no experience with Worldskills.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
The most memorable moment was definitely the team meating in Frankfurt am Main.
We have had so much fun. I think we will become a great team for Worldskills in Sao
Paulo.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
There where different experiences while the training. I’ve learned a lot of different
things that I can use at my daily work.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress
in your skill? Please describe.
I can’t say that yet. But I think the participation in Worldskills will be a great enrichment
for my life. There are a lot of people, coming from different nations. I can make new
acquaintances.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
At the moment I work at the same factory I’ve did my apprenticeship at.

What are your future career aspirations?
In the next year I will make my examination for the master craftsman’s certificate.