The dedication and expertise powering WorldSkills: Meet the people behind the Industrial Mechanics competition

The 47th biennial WorldSkills Competition is currently underway in Lyon, France, and one of the standout categories is industrial mechanics.

This crucial event wouldn’t be possible without the tireless work and dedication of key figures like Craig Brazil, Associate Dean Sheridan College Ontario Canada, working under the Worldskills banner, Nathalie Drouin, the President of STCD, Acoem’s long-time partner in Canada, along with numerous members of the Industrial Mechanic committee. All these people play a vital role in shaping not only this year’s competition but the broader field of industrial mechanics on a global scale.

Craig Brazil: Educating and shaping the future of industrial mechanics

Associate Dean Craig Brazil has dedicated his career to training and nurturing the next generation of industrial mechanics through his work at a leading Canadian college. His expertise in the industrial mechanic field and preventive maintenance has helped countless students excel in their field, preparing them for the rigors of WorldSkills and their future careers. Associate Dean Brazil’s influence extends far beyond the classroom; he has been instrumental in bringing industrial mechanics to the forefront of international competitions, ensuring that this vital trade is given the recognition and platform it deserves.

Craig has been associated with the WorldSkills competition for many years, championing the importance of education, training, and mentorship. It was through his initial efforts that the industrial mechanics discipline was included as an exhibition trade at the 2015 WorldSkills event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His relentless advocacy led to its permanent inclusion in the 2017 competition in Abu Dhabi, cementing its place as a core category in WorldSkills.

Nathalie Drouin: A Lifelong Advocate for Industrial Mechanics

Nathalie Drouin, a mechanical engineer with decades of experience, has been a vital partner in elevating the role of industrial mechanics within WorldSkills. As the President of STCD, Nathalie has used her industry knowledge and passion for mentoring young professionals in Canada to help guide the growth of the competition and promote the trade internationally.

Nathalie first became involved in WorldSkills in 2011 when Craig Brazil approached her to sponsor an Ontario team for the Canadian national competition. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with WorldSkills. Today, Craig is the Skill Competition Manager for Worldskills, Nathalie is the industry expert evaluator, and leading advocate for the industrial mechanics field. Their contributions have gone beyond sponsorship as they helped design the competition’s scope of work for the predictive and preventive maintenance project, ensuring it stays relevant to industry needs and challenges.

“I’ve always been passionate about industrial mechanics and what it means for the future of our industries. By being part of WorldSkills, I have the opportunity to give back to the trade and help shape the careers of young professionals. It’s about much more than competition; it’s about mentorship, skill development, and creating pathways for success,” said Nathalie.

Acoem: Empowering future talent with innovation and knowledge sharing at WorldSkills

 

The importance of sponsorship

As a leading manufacturing in reliability solutions, Acoem has been a committed supporter of WorldSkills, not only by sponsoring teams but also by providing the latest preventive and predictive maintenance tools for the competition. This year, Acoem is equipping competitors with its latest innovation – the AT-400, an advanced laser shaft alignment tool. The AT-400 offers precision and user-friendly operation, enabling faster and more accurate alignment of rotating machinery.

Not only has Acoem been a major supporter throughout these years, but in 2022, it decided that the best way to give these up-and-coming industrial mechanics a step up in the industry was to expand the way it was contributing to their training. In 2022 and 2024, Acoem Sweden held its WorldSkills Bootcamp – inviting competitors and their coaches to Acoem in Sweden for a week of intensive open training under the guidance of industry experts, including Peter Strömberg, Chief Technology Officer at Acoem Sweden.

The bootcamp garnered considerable positive feedback from participants who came from seven different countries in June 2024. As part of the program, the groups worked together with access to an extensive range of Acoem preventive & corrective maintenance and condition monitoring tools. They received personalised demonstrations and instruction from the professionals who developed the solutions – learning how to accurately record measurements, perform laser alignments, conduct vibration analyses and other related tasks.

Despite not knowing which of the tools they would need to work with at the actual competition, having the opportunity to try a wide variety of technology put these teams in a better position for competing at the WorldSkills Competition a few months later. It also gave individuals a chance to broaden their skills base, network and form important industry relationships.

 

The 2024 competition format

This year in Lyon, Craig Brazil and Nathalie Drouin have worked together to design the competition’s technical scope, which challenges participants to work with state-of-the-art tools and technology. The predictive maintenance section requires competitors to diagnose and solve real-world problems, such as shaft alignment and vibration measurement, with the most advanced equipment.

Competitors from 12 countries will be judged on their ability to complete tasks that span a wide range of industrial mechanics functions, from welding and machining to assembling and troubleshooting complex machinery. Each task is designed to test not only technical skills but also the problem solving and critical-thinking abilities essential for success in this field.

Preparing the Next Generation of industrials leaders

Industrial mechanics are the doctors of industry. Without them, the world wouldn’t operate. The work they do has a direct impact on efficiency, productivity, and even environmental sustainability, as proper predictive maintenance reduces waste, conserves resources, and minimizes energy use.
Leading up to the event, competitors have spent months training with the same tools and equipment that they’ll use during the competition. This access to high-quality resources, made possible through partnerships like Acoem’s, allows participants to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the challenges ahead.

By giving students early exposure to the tools and technologies they’ll use in their careers, it helps to bridge the gap between education and industry. This hands-on experience ensures that graduates are not only well-versed in theory but also fully prepared for the practical realities of industrial mechanics.

WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of the dedication, expertise, and mentorship that powers the future of industrial mechanics. Thanks to the tireless efforts of all the different country experts and sponsors, this critical and vital trade continues to thrive, inspiring the next generation of industry leaders. Together, we are truly creating environments of possibility for the future of industrial mechanics.

WorldSkills 2024

WorldSkills 2024 will take place in Lyon from 10-15 September.
For more information, visit the WorldSkills website.