A team of Hong Kong's best young apprentices sacrificed their time - and some, their jobs - to compete in the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in São Paulo, Brazil.
But their efforts paid off.
The 18-strong Hong Kong squad displayed their talent in 16 competition trades.
They took home seven medallions for excellence in IT Software Solutions for Business, Mechatronics, Graphic Design Technology, Visual Merchandising & Window Dressing, Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing and Wall & Floor Tiling.
Held from August 11 to 16, the WorldSkills Competition required competitors to compete in four-day tasks under stringent conditions, in what is often dubbed the skills "Olympics".
Just like Olympic athletes, these skilled young people trained hard.
Flawless performance
Beauty therapy winner Lau Ho-ying, a Vocational Education Beauty Care graduate from Youth College, showed such a high level of commitment that she resigned from her job at a top local salon so she could compete.
"I needed to compete over four days, which is a total of 18 hours of competition, so apart from the intensive training, I had to exercise my willpower, too," she explained.
The beauty therapy candidates needed to perform facial treatments, full spa treatments, body massages, bridal and fantasy makeup, pedicure and manicure treatments. Ho-ying said that despite being well-prepared she still found the time constraints challenging. What's more, her models could not speak English.
Despite those obstacles, Ho-ying appreciated the experience she gained from competing against the world's top apprentices.
"I can now talk to competitors from around the world and I have learned some new skills, which I will put to use back in Hong Kong," she said.
Youth College lecturer Cynthia Ling said the competition helped give Ho-ying a hard-won boost.
"Ho-ying only trained for half a year, but her skills improved so much that it was as if she had trained for three years, and now her skills are recognised at an international level which has improved her self-confidence," Ms Ling said.
Marathon feat
Law Ming-fai, a Software Engineering graduate from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, won the medallion for Software Solutions for Business Trade. He was also named best Hong Kong competitor for his well-honed skills.
This year, the competitors had to design and build a software system for a marathon event in just four days - a massive undertaking. The designs included database, user interface, and security and control.
"We had to write a software programme that included different functions, like helping people sign up for a marathon and displaying the runners' achievement record. Luckily, I had trained for months on a similar task and managed to handle the challenge easily," he said.
But Ming-fai had not expected the noisy working conditions during the contest, so he decided to wear earplugs to help him concentrate. Unfortunately his tactic backfired and ended up slowing him down, so out came the ear plugs.
A religious experience
Hui Yip-keung, a Construction Industry Council graduate, excelled in his specialty: wall & floor tiling. He needed to create a 3D rendering in tiles of Brazil's well-known Christ the Redeemer statue, the country's national flag, and the year 2015 - in a short period of time. The result was a testament to his ability and attention to detail.
"The three-dimensional image of Christ was difficult, as there were many right angles. The easiest was the Brazilian flag, because when I first started training, I spent three to four months making it. Practice definitely makes perfect."
Yip-keung said he discovered an interest in craft skills after joining the Construction Industry Council course and recommends it to other young people.
Skills for life
The world's largest professional education event drew a record 1,200 young talents from 60 places who took part in tests of 50 skills this year.
These skills Olympics, held every two years, aim to showcase and inspire world-class excellence in skills and introduce young people to a variety of skilled careers.
Chief Executive CY Leung welcomed the Hong Kong Team to Government House in late August, to congratulate the competitors on their achievements and listen to them recount their experiences.
Mr Leung encouraged them to further develop their skills. He said the Government will continue to promote vocational education and provide multiple pathways for young people with different aspirations and abilities to help them develop their potential.
The WorldSkills competition highlights an alternative to a university education: vocational training. Yip-keung and Ho-ying are now working in their chosen professions, while Ming-fai is studying at university.
Regardless of the route, they are all pursuing their dreams and uniquely contributing towards the development of key industries in Hong Kong that are in need of talented individuals, including the creative arts, innovation and technology, and construction sectors.
The last word goes to Yip-keung who summed up why skilled talent is important for the economy of tomorrow.
"If you choose a career in construction, do not underestimate yourself or your skills. Once you learn special technical skills and hone the techniques, no one can replace you."
