On the WorldSkills stage, a young man from Zambia is advancing equal skill development to the world with his unique perspective and firm belief. Abraham Mundengo, a technical expert who represented Zambia at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Information Network Cabling, is one of the Global Dream Ambassadors for WorldSkills Shanghai. As a WorldSkills Championship Trust Representative for Africa, he firmly believes that “skills are a powerful equalizer” and is committed to promoting the development and transformation of skills education in Africa.

From a copper mining town to the world stage: a young African’s journey of skill development

Abraham’s growth story is a microcosm of the youth in countless developing countries who achieve life-changing transformations through skills. He was born in the North-Western Province of Zambia, a region known for its large deposits of copper but with relatively limited educational resources. He had never been exposed to computers during his childhood until secondary school, when he became part of a school club and was put in charge of his school’s computer lab, and first truly tap into the digital world. He helped other students type their reports, worked with the computers, tidied up the lab, trivial tasks that actually sparked his interest in IT.

The turning point occurred during a career counselling session. An engineer described to him how information technology was reshaping society and driving national development, and encouraged him, “if you get into this space now, it would be beneficial both for you and the country.” These words deeply moved Abraham.

With a scholarship from the mining sector, he was enrolled in Zambia University College of Technology to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. His interest in networking and cabling grew during his studies, when he set up and maintained the college’s network. He worked in classrooms and computer labs to do network cabling around the campus, set up labs, and fix network issues. “I used to love working with network cables,” he recalls. “The sense of accomplishment from building connections with my own hands was the starting point of my passion.”

Persistent hardworking finally paid off. He obtained the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification and got to work at the University as a Computer Lab Technician due to outstanding performance during his internship. At the same time, he set his sights on the WorldSkills Competition.

Reflecting on his WorldSkills experience, Abraham admits that at first, he underestimated the Competition. “When people explained WorldSkills, I still didn’t quite get the picture. I thought maybe it was just one of those competitions.” However, when he went to South Korea for training, the atmosphere on site completely changed his mind. “I saw the level of preparation and realized this was serious. Then, when I competed in Osaka, that’s when I truly felt the pressure, the impact, and the environment of WorldSkills.”

This experience completely reshaped his understanding of skills education. Skills are a means of livelihood, and also a core element of national competitiveness. The experience not only tested his skills but also opened his eyes to the global standard of technical education and industry expectations. Now, Abraham supports students in practical labs. “I love passing on the practical lessons I have learned. The WorldSkills experience gave me a much-needed boost in delivering lessons and mentoring students.” He also continues to support WorldSkills Zambia’s national competitions, acting as a Workshop Manager and a mentor for future Competitors. These experiences have further strengthened his commitment to skills education in Africa.

Mission of the Global Dream Ambassador: Using skills as an equalizer to promote the revitalization of African skills

Abraham is deeply concerned about the challenges facing skills education in Africa. “Here is a misconception that skills are meant for dropouts or those who don’t do well academically. But that is simply not the reality. Skills are a powerful equalizer. They are an important ingredient in a nation’s economic and social success.” Abraham is deeply committed to changing the perception of skills education in Africa.

During his term as part of the WorldSkills Championship Trust, Abraham wants to advocate for the inclusion of more apprenticeship programmes, school-enterprise collaboration and internships to bridge the skills gap within the African continent.

Appointed as a Global Dream Ambassador, Abraham says, “I am deeply honored to be among the eleven Global Dream Ambassadors, and to take on the important responsibility of supporting WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.” He says that even after the conclusion of the Competition, he will continue to promote the development of skills talent cultivation.

He plans to involve more African youth in the skills movement, promote the concept of “skills empowerment” through workshops, community lectures, and online platforms, and explore the most suitable skill development paths for local youth. At the same time, he is looking forward to interacting with policymakers, practitioners, and industry to push forward effective skills development programmes in Africa.

His message to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: Communicating with the world, competing with yourself

For the upcoming Competition, Abraham offers sincere advice to Competitors around the world. “To Competitors that are coming to Shanghai, remember that you are on a global stage; you are coming to connect, to learn and to perform.”

He emphasizes especially the importance of participating in the Competition with the right mindset. “I want you to come with energy, enthusiasm, and passion. Take it as if you are coming to learn, because when you come with that mindset, you will learn more than you imagine.”

Abraham advises the Competitors to view the Competition as “a competition against yourself”. “Go out do yourself, do better than you did the other day.”

Finally, he ends with anticipation, “see you in Shanghai! And above all, all the best!” This simple blessing carries Abraham’s heartfelt expectations for young skilled talents around the world.

From the school lab in Zambia to the stage of the WorldSkills Competition, and then to becoming a Global Dream Ambassador for the WorldSkills Shanghai, Abraham Mundengo has proven that skills are indeed “a powerful equalizer,” which can break through geographical and resource limitations, allowing every young person with dreams to stand on their own shining stage.