In the world of skills, there is such a unique young person from a vocational college in eastern Finland who earned a Medallion for Excellence in CNC milling at the WorldSkills Competition and has been appointed as a Global Dream Ambassador for the Shanghai WorldSkills Competition. He is Aapo Paunonen, the WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe, who has proven the value of vocational education through action, and an inspiring role model who has grown from a shy apprentice into a skills ambassador. Through his own journey, he hopes to share a simple but powerful message: skill mastery is not a backup plan, but a solid path to excellence, dignity, and a promising future.

Discovering Talent: A remarkable transition from traditional education to skills Competitions

When he was exploring his options after middle school, Aapo Paunonen showed a level of maturity and clarity beyond his years. He realized that traditional general education wasn’t the right path for him. Instead, he wanted to learn by doing and gain hands-on experience from skilled professionals. He chose an apprenticeship in the field of metalworking, where he discovered CNC Machining and developed a deep passion for it. That led him into the metalworking field at Savon Vocational College in eastern Finland, and began his lifelong connection with CNC machining.

“It’s a difficult skill that requires precision and an eye for detail. You never stop learning and improving,” Apo describes his first impression of CNC milling. It was this trait of constantly challenging oneself that deeply attracted him.

A turning point in his life came when his vocational school teacher, a former WorldSkills Competitor, introduced him to Finland’s national skills Competition. “That got me hooked on the Competition,” Aapo recalls. Even now, when he talks about that, his eyes still shine with the same excitement he felt back then.

Determined to go further, he trained for the global stage. In 2023, he qualified for WorldSkills and began intensive preparation, juggling work and Finland’s compulsory military service.

The WorldSkills Stage: A Competition, and a life journey

Aapo earned a Medallion for Excellence at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. “Seeing everyone from all over the world coming together, speaking all the different languages, but united by our trade. Even if you’ve only just met, you can talk for hours.” Such cross-border resonance about skills deeply impressed him.

He still remembers the celebration party after the closing ceremony. “We celebrated everyone’s hard work, the success of having come this far, whatever the result.” This friendship, based on mutual respect and professional recognition, has become the most valuable part of his career.

Interestingly, the camaraderie he felt at WorldSkills also shaped his career. Through LinkedIn, he landed his dream job in a company founded by a WorldSkills Champion who competed at WorldSkills London 2011. “Apparently, he had been trying to get in touch with me but couldn’t find my number,” Aapo Paunonen says with a smile. He feels lucky to be able to now train under him. “He is extremely dedicated and knows about this industry more than any other boss I’ve worked with or heard of. He is the most skilled person I’ve ever met.”

Mission of the Global Dream Ambassador: breaking stereotypes of vocational education with real experiences

Being appointed as the Global Dream Ambassador for WorldSkills Shanghai holds special significance for Aapo Paunonen. “I was once insecure and shy, but now I am here, connecting with the world and becoming a representative of young skilled talents.” Such growth is exactly a gift that vocational education has given him.

Aapo wants to change the way people look at vocational education – often seen as a back-up plan – with his actions as the Ambassador. He hopes to inspire young people to study and do things they are passionate about. “Passion, not duty, will make them great at what they do.”

Aapo is now pursuing a programme leading to a specialist vocational qualification, with the goal of teaching and passing on his skills to the next generation. He deeply believes that vocational education offers opportunities for self-development and growth. This includes the possibility of continuing your studies towards higher education. “We create an inclusive and sustainable future through skills.” This is one of the messages he hopes to spread during his term as the Ambassador.

His message to WorldSkills Shanghai: letting passion be the true path to becoming a champion

For the upcoming WorldSkills Shanghai, Aapo Paunonen shares a message that reflects his own philosophy. “The Competition is a display of passion. When you love what you do, this love will be reflected in every action, every detail, every moment. Let this passion drive you. That is the true way to become a champion.”

He expects the Competition to be “a thrilling, passionate event that promotes global unity,” and says he will “continue to promote WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 with authenticity, passion and pride.”

From a common apprentice in eastern Finland to a medallist at the WorldSkills Competition, and then to the Global Dream Ambassador, Aapo Paunonen’s journey perfectly exemplifies the value of vocational education. His story tells us that when a person finds a career they truly love, skills are no longer merely a means of making a living, but also a bright path to self-fulfilment. As WorldSkills Shanghai approaches, this young Ambassador will continue to use his enthusiasm and professionalism to tell the world the story of achieving dreams through skills.