SAIT WorldSkills competitors go global to train for China

Frog legs taste just like chicken, if you ask Carter Kokot. The SAIT Automobile Technology apprentice’s adventure at the Compétition nationale des métiers 2025 (Skills France national competition), introduced him to new culinary experiences and cars he’s never worked on before.

Cabinetmaking apprentice Tate McGarry will remember stepping into beautiful German beech forests and building a unique cupboard in two days at Müritz: Meisterschaften im Tischler- und Schreinerhandwerk (Müritz Cabinetmaker and Carpenter championships).

Skills competitions — aka, the Olympics of the trades — happen in 89 countries. Both Kokot and McGarry are slated to compete in the WorldSkills competition in September 2026 in Shanghai. They were invited to tackle national competitions in France and Germany as part of the global partnerships between the nations involved in Skills.

From Marseille with love (for cars)

Kokot may not be fluent in French but he spoke the same language as his peers in Marseille — a passion for cars.

In addition to being exposed to fresh croissants and abundant seafood in the Mediterranean coastal city, he also experienced jet lag and a hotel in a foreign country. But the excitement in the air and energy at the national competition was enough to wake him up.

“Everybody was super pumped up at the competition,” he says.

Being in France provided Kokot with the opportunity to work on foreign cars not typically found at home in Calgary, like a small Renault.

“Even though they are different cars, the bones are all similar,” says Kokot, who works at a Lexus dealership.

The bigger challenge proved to be understanding the service information provided to highlight car specifications and complete the task at hand, which was written in French. Some of the standards were communicated differently as well, and the competition itself lasted three days, one more than what he experienced in Canada.

“I was pretty tired after the third day,” he says.

Building endurance is key to preparing for China —WorldSkills will demand four days of laser focus and consistent work.

Perhaps most importantly, Kokot’s France adventure reminded him what he’s capable of.

“No matter where I am in the world or whatever tool I’m using, I can still do this well,” he says.

Crafting a slanted cupboard in Germany

Cabinetmaking apprentice Tate McGarry and trainer Harold Bergmann’s German adventure brought them right into nature, including forest walks and enjoying the Müritz, the country’s second largest lake.

The Regionales Berufliches Bildungszentrum Müritz hosted the joinery and cabinetmaking championship in northern Germany. McGarry, who is currently in his second of four years of apprenticeship, faced off against journeyperson-level competitors from around the country.

His biggest challenge was using hand tools.

“And getting those angles right,” he says.

Bergmann, Wood Trades instructor at SAIT, told McGarry he tackled the challenge well.

“Now that you’ve done it, you know you can do it.”

The SAIT instructor was particularly impressed with the school’s machines, which featured top-of-the-line Martin equipment and a membrane press, used to apply thin layers of decorative wood to the cupboard, also known as veneer.

After two days of competition, McGarry’s work was done and ready to be evaluated. He did well, finishing with a 75% score.

The pair also toured the town and visited a nearby sawmill, which processes beech wood, commonly used for furniture in Germany. During their trip, they ate lots of pretzels and enjoyed Schnitzel and Kartoffelzuppe (potato soup).

“The biggest thing I learned in Germany was if I take things one step at a time, I can build any project no matter the difficulty,” say McGarry.

Next up: more training at home and looking forward to China

Both Kokot and McGarry are now home from their European adventures, ready to take their WorldSkills training up a notch.

Early next year, Bergmann will set up a few mock competitions for McGarry, so he can get used to the dimensions and space he’ll be allocated in China.

Breadner’s hope is to have Kokot train with more electrical vehicle components.

More importantly, being abroad made WorldSkills feel tangible, real.

“Being there with Harley and Nathan, competing as Canada, it really brought it to reality — that’s what I’ll be doing in Shanghai,” says Kokot.

Learn a trade and travel

Skills provide a unique experience to do both.