SAIT WorldSkills alumni reflect as the countdown to 2026 begins

Where are they now? Three WorldSkills alumni share career updates and advice for SAIT competitors heading to China in September.

WorldSkills 2026 is only months away, and the competition — often compared to the Olympics of the trades — is an unforgettable opportunity only a few young people experience.

The event comes every two years and allows young apprentices to discover what competing against the best in the world in their trade looks like. It’s a chance to explore the world and connect with others who may speak different languages but share the same passions.

SAIT alumni Korae Nottveit, Alexandre Sidorchuk and Tyler Cherkowski are among the few with firsthand knowledge of WorldSkills competition. Discover where they’ve landed post-WorldSkills and see what advice they have for SAIT’s 2026 competitors.

 

Korae Notveitt, Culinary Arts

WorldSkills 2022 in Lucerne, Switzerland

Culinary Arts gold medallist Korae Nottveit still chats regularly with the coaches who helped her reach the top of the podium.

From burning bacon in her first breakfast class to getting a gold medal at WorldSkills, her culinary journey is impressive — and it’s only just beginning.

Where is she now?📍

Nottveit oversees culinary operations at a resort in Kona, Hawaii. She manages about 50 cooks and leaders across the property, which spans more than 300,000 square meters. But her favourite part of work still involves cooking.

“When somebody wants me to cook in their room, I put together a customized menu, go there and cook it for them. That’s probably a highlight for me.”

What she gained from her WorldSkills experience 💡

• Confidence to work in high-pressure environments
• Organization, cleanliness and creativity
• The ability to work anywhere in the world

Advice for present and future WorldSkills competitors 🤔

In the months leading up to WorldSkills, Nottveit knows motivation can wane, but says it’s important to remember the world stage is a one-time opportunity.

“Give it your all. Put everything on the table. You have one shot.”

She also recommends prioritizing sleep and making friends with the other competitors.

Lastly, when the many voices giving their two cents starts to feel overwhelming, she says to focus on the voice that matters most.

“Go back to that person who knows you the best, who knows your emotions and how you work and listen to their advice over anybody else.”

For her, it was former SAIT Instructor Michael Dekker, her trainer, whom she consulted with on every bit of advice she received.

 

Alexandre Sidorchuk, Aerospace Technology

WorldSkills 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A big fan of flying machines, Sidorchuk started out with a dream of becoming a pilot but chose to pursue aircraft maintenance at SAIT because it was more affordable. He soon discovered the program made sense for his learning preference too.

“Within the first month, I felt my brain open up because I figured out I learn better when I’m able to associate the material with a real-world outcome,” he says.

When he got the opportunity to compete in WorldSkills, he jumped right in, competing in Abu Dhabi. When he was finished, he jumped right out — of an airplane, experiencing Dubai with a little skydiving.

Where is he now? 📍

Sidorchuk will tell you a lot has happened in almost a decade — and that life looks different with a five-year-old.

He’s now at what he calls “the best job I’ve ever had,” working at Cargo Jet Airways out of the Calgary International Airport. He plans to stay there a while and says he’s grateful for each job he’s had along the way.

What he gained from the WorldSkills experience 💡

• The confidence to tackle any challenge
• Global industry knowledge
• Industry connections

Advice for present and future WorldSkills competitors 🤔

Sidorchuk’s advice boils down to enjoying the journey and keeping the connections made along the way.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Building the team around you is equally as fun as experiencing the environment and the energy around you,” he says.

“It’s about the people you meet along the way and the paths you travel to get to the competition — it could be topped off by medals, but the main part is everything you’re doing right now.”

 

Tyler Cherkowski, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France

Tyler Cherkowski thinks back to his 2024 France trip regularly — it’s a core memory he values deeply.

“I had a lot of fun representing our country,” he says.

He stays in touch with his Team Canada peers and his competitors from the U.K. and South Africa. While the projects he tackled abroad differ from his day-to-day work, he credits the WorldSkills opportunity for equipping him with stronger communication skills and the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.

Where is he now? 📍

You can find Cherkowski driving around Calgary in a Gateway Mechanical Services truck, troubleshooting commercial refrigeration or heating systems.

He’s also helping with Skills as a member of the provincial technical committee. The committees for each trade organize and design the HVAC projects given to the competitors.

“I’m just happy to be there to help out and do what I can to give back to the opportunity I was given.”

What he gained from his experience 💡

• Interpersonal skills
• A new perspective on training for a world-class event
• Friends from around the world

Advice for present and future WorldSkills competitors 🤔

Looking back, Cherkowski understands the value of every training opportunity he’s had. With that understanding, he can also appreciate just how much the global stage was a step up from the national one.

He recommends seizing every opportunity, but also remembering that being at WorldSkills is already a massive win.

“Have fun with it! You can say you’re the best in Canada. That itself is quite an impressive achievement.”