Wood for silver

Interview with joiner and WorldSkills participant Felix Wilhelm

Felix Wilhelm

Joiner

The now 22-year-old won the state championships in Baden-Württemberg straight after his training and was subsequently runner-up in the German championships. At WorldSkills, he will be competing in the "Construction carpentry" category and will be demonstrating his outstanding knowledge and skills in the demanding solid wood work.

He will be trained and supervised by national coach Michael Martin and WorldSkills expert Markus Rauscher - the former a world champion in 2005, the latter a runner-up in 2009.

What particular challenges did you encounter during the competition?

There were many challenges during the competition. One of the biggest challenges was that the competition took place in a foreign country, in unfamiliar surroundings and under enormous time pressure.

How did you experience the competition?

I remember the competition as being very nice and well organised, but unfortunately the time went by far too quickly. There is a lot of pressure during the competition - both in terms of time and quality.

What helped you the most to deal with the pressure?

Through the various competitions, I have learnt to deal with the pressure as much as possible, but the pressure at the World Championships was different again. I tried to put myself under less pressure and trust in what I can do and what I have trained for.

How was the atmosphere during the competition during the day and in the evening? Did you have contact with other participants?

The atmosphere was very tense during the competition and I only had limited time to chat to my opponents just before and just after the competition. At dinner, I was always able to chat to the other team members and discuss the next day.

Was there a special moment or a key experience that was particularly important for you during the competition?

There wasn't one key experience for me, but seeing how far and above all how good the other participants were in the evening always pushed me to work even faster and more precisely.

Felix Wilhelm at the presentation of Festool products

How did your environment - family, friends, teachers or mentors - support you in your preparation and success?

The support was great, from my girlfriend, family, friends, coaches, sponsors and the association. Everyone mostly understood that I had little time and was often travelling. And the fact that I knew my family would also be there in Lyon was a nice thought and the surprise that my mates were there on the last day of the competition and for the German evening made me very happy!

What was your first thought when you found out that you had won a silver medal?

At first I couldn't believe it because I didn't expect it at all, but now I'm even happier.

What skills or knowledge do you think have helped you the most to get this far?

I think the ability to make quick decisions under pressure, not to be influenced by others and also to work in an extremely precise and structured way have helped me a lot.

How has the competition changed or influenced your view of your professional future? Did you have a mascot for the competition? If so, which one?

My sister gave me a lucky pig with a medal just before I was picked up.

Were there moments when you just wanted to beam away and no longer be there?

There were certainly moments like that, but giving up was never an option for me.

What was your favourite moment at the WS 2024?

I think there were two best moments: one was when the final whistle blew and the contest was suddenly over, and the other was when I was presented with the silver medal.

And what was your most difficult moment?

My most difficult moment was the evening/night before the last day of the competition, when I planned the fourth day of the competition and realised that time was running out.

What do you think about your preparation for WorldSkills? From today's perspective, was the training the right thing to do or would you do some things differently with the knowledge you have today?

The training was well spread out over the year. With my additional training at home and having started my own business, there wasn't much time left for leisure, which I would do differently now.

What and who was good for you in training?

The support from my trainer and expert, but also from my friends and family, helped me a lot. Depending on the situation, I always had a contact person and counsellor for different situations.

Do you have any advice for other young people who want to be successful in a similar field?

The most important thing is to enjoy what you do, to have the goal in mind and to get up again and keep going even after setbacks.

What helps you to persevere and be successful even in difficult moments of the competition?

It helped me a lot that I trusted in what I could do and never lost my ambition to keep going.

What are your next steps after your success at WorldSkills? Are there any specific projects or goals you have set yourself?

After WorldSkills, I want to expand my workshop further and set up a fully-fledged carpentry business.

How do you see the future of the competition and vocational training in general?

Vocational training in Germany is improving all the time and is also highly regarded internationally. However, the future of the competition is difficult to predict. There are more and more Asian countries that invest a lot more time and money in preparation and can be more successful as a result.

What do you like most about working as a carpenter/joiner?

In the carpentry profession, you often discover creativity, diversity, uniqueness and customer proximity. That's why I not only enjoy seeing what you've created from a "simple" piece of wood at the end of the day, but also creating the various wishes of customers and making them happy. I also love working with wood as a material and creating something from it. Also, the work/jobs you do as a carpenter are different from day to day, which keeps everyday life varied.

What project are you currently working on?

I'm currently building a larger built-in wardrobe that will serve as a room divider and should be operable from both sides. Of course, you have to bear in mind that there has to be enough storage space for both sides, which I have solved with shelves, a clothes rail and drawers. Another special highlight of this wardrobe is the fact that the drawers are made of dark walnut. Soon it will be time to install, customise panels/plinths/... etc.

Doesn't that make everyday working life boring compared to such an exciting competition?

No, absolutely not. My job is characterised by its versatility, which means there are new customer requests/orders with new challenges every day.

How does your competition experience help you in everyday life?

The competition experience helps me to deal with stress and pressure, especially in my everyday life, and to keep my working day well-structured while sticking to my self-calculated schedule.

How do our tools help you to be successful?

The precise Festool tools encourage me to work accurately and simplify my work with many tools. But I also achieve a high level of efficiency with them and enjoy working with them at the same time.

What are your three personal favourite tools?

Cordless screwdriver, circular hand saw and circular table saw.

What would you like to achieve in the future?

Of course, I would like to continue to work successfully on my own and use my knowledge and growing experience to support younger tradespeople and be a role model for them.

Do you want to thank someone at the end for their support during your life?

Yes, I would like to thank the support of my coach and expert, the sponsors and the federation, but also a big and heartfelt thank you to my friends and family, and especially my girlfriend, who have always stood by me, supported me and also understood why I didn't have so much time for them all during this period.