Jurgen Hierholzer

My Skills Background 

I’m a Professor at Georgian College. I’ve been the Expert in CNC Milling since WorldSkills Kazan 2019.  

The Importance of Training 

Most training is done on the machine making parts and on the computer creating the toolpaths. We set deadlines to complete certain tasks in a given time limit. This helps the competitors get used to the stress that they’ll experience at the WorldSkills Competition. 

When I’m training a competitor for a WorldSkills Competition my approach is to start with the minute details and hone those skills. Then I introduce more complex tasks. Once all the skills have been learned, we’ll train using tighter time limitations.  

Our biggest challenge is not having the same machines to train on as the ones that will be used at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. But I will be happy if the competitor completes all the projects and represents WorldSkills Team Canada 2024 with a positive attitude. A Medallion of Excellence would be a great achievement! 

I’m looking forward to meeting all the Experts in our trade from around the world. It’s interesting talking to them and learning how they prepare for the competition. They’re a team of Experts with whom you create lasting friendships. It’s always fun to reunite with old friends. 

The Value of the Skills for Success 

Communication, Numeracy, Problem Solving and Adaptability will be the most important skills 

during training and at the competition. I hope my competitor has fun, makes new friends from around the world, and has an experience that lasts a lifetime. 

Why I Love Volunteering 

I am competitive myself and I like the whole idea of competing. So, I enjoy volunteering with Skills/Compétences Canada and WorldSkills because these competitions are a solid pathway to getting more young people into the trades.