Namibian chosen as WorldSkills representative
Namibian Justina Ashiyana has been appointed as a WorldSkills Champions Trust (WSCT) representative for Africa from 2023 to 2024, representing the African continent together with South Africa's Mihle Mvelakubi, as per the National Training Authority.
According to WorldSkills Namibia advocacy specialist, Katrina Newaka, the trust is a volunteer group of past competitors who are the voice of young people in the WorldSkills movement and work to raise levels of engagement among WorldSkills champions.
"Also to promote active involvement in WorldSkills projects, initiatives, and activities. Champions Trust representatives speak at multiple high-level international events and take a leading role at WorldSkills Competitions."
Humble beginnings
Eight new members from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania joined three returning representatives in the trust, Newaka said in a statement released last week.
To further hone her skills, Ashiyana attended her first training in Lyon, France, where she met the rest of the WSCT representatives and participated in leadership and media training sessions and forums.
"From her humble beginnings at Omatando in Ongwediva, Ashiyana's skills journey has taken her to local and international platforms, where she has made a significant impact and emerged as a role model for African youth."
A journey of inspiration
Growing up, she developed a deep-rooted passion for joinery through her father's influence, who was involved in construction work, the statement read.
Additionally, Ashiyana's early exposure to the trade nurtured her skills and ignited a desire to become an artisan.
In 2016, the young joiner took part in the National Skills Competition in the joinery trade, where she proceeded to represent Namibia at the WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
She has since been an ambassador for skills and has participated in various platforms, representing Namibian and African youth, including the Pan African Youth Forum in Addis Ababa in 2019.
"These experiences have solidified her position as a catalyst for change, actively contributing to skills development in her community and advocating for equal access to skill-building opportunities," Newaka said.
Ashiyana has since landed a spot at the Valombola VTC as a temporary trainer and WorldSkills Namibia expert in joinery.
According to WorldSkills Namibia advocacy specialist, Katrina Newaka, the trust is a volunteer group of past competitors who are the voice of young people in the WorldSkills movement and work to raise levels of engagement among WorldSkills champions.
"Also to promote active involvement in WorldSkills projects, initiatives, and activities. Champions Trust representatives speak at multiple high-level international events and take a leading role at WorldSkills Competitions."
Humble beginnings
Eight new members from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania joined three returning representatives in the trust, Newaka said in a statement released last week.
To further hone her skills, Ashiyana attended her first training in Lyon, France, where she met the rest of the WSCT representatives and participated in leadership and media training sessions and forums.
"From her humble beginnings at Omatando in Ongwediva, Ashiyana's skills journey has taken her to local and international platforms, where she has made a significant impact and emerged as a role model for African youth."
A journey of inspiration
Growing up, she developed a deep-rooted passion for joinery through her father's influence, who was involved in construction work, the statement read.
Additionally, Ashiyana's early exposure to the trade nurtured her skills and ignited a desire to become an artisan.
In 2016, the young joiner took part in the National Skills Competition in the joinery trade, where she proceeded to represent Namibia at the WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
She has since been an ambassador for skills and has participated in various platforms, representing Namibian and African youth, including the Pan African Youth Forum in Addis Ababa in 2019.
"These experiences have solidified her position as a catalyst for change, actively contributing to skills development in her community and advocating for equal access to skill-building opportunities," Newaka said.
Ashiyana has since landed a spot at the Valombola VTC as a temporary trainer and WorldSkills Namibia expert in joinery.
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