Skills Across the World

Start 1998 - Finish 2004

Showcases projects undertaken by young skills teams working with local communities in Zimbabwe, East Timor, Kenya and Cape York and gives a feel for the realities on the ground for organisations and individuals wishing to do something similar.

Who is Skills Across the World (SAW)?

Skills Across the World had its genesis in the Worldskills movement...an organsation that for the past 50 years has conducted international competitions for the best young skilled workers in the world. In the mid 1990's former competitors when consulted expressed the desire to be challenged further, to develop leadership skills, to have broader international experience and to share their talent and skills .... so the Skills Across the World Movement was formed in collaboration with the Dusseldorp Skills Forum.

In March 1998 the first multinational team led by Glen Brasen from Australia, of five young people arrived in Zimbabe. Six months later - a cross cultural vocational skills exchange project had taken place that greatly enhanced the local primary school facilities, provided skills to seven young people in the community and provided insights and development for the skilled volunteers well beyond their expectations. The progress continues with a small number of projects being conducted each year and the SAW organisation is constantly adapting, learning and challenging itself to provide an experience that benefits all involved. It now includes volunteers outside the Worldskills movement as well.

SAW is administered by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum in Sydney, Australia with strong participation from all around the world and Jack Dusseldorp is presently Chairman of the Worldskills movement.

View the Skills Across the World Website