From September 9 to 13, 2025, it’s off to Denmark for Hugo Lechat and Emilien Marquegnies. Both students at HELHa, they will proudly represent Belgium at EuroSkills, the European vocational skills championship. One will compete in the Automobile category, the other in Web Technologies. Two talents, two paths, one shared passion for excellence.
Hugo, in the Automobile category
At 22 years old, Hugo Lechat is completing his final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Automobile Technology at HELHa in Mons. Initially enrolled in physiotherapy, he decided to change direction.
“I started studying automobile technology out of passion. I didn’t know anything at all, I just had a few basics. But I learned everything at school,” he explains.
A former elite basketball player for Mons-Hainaut, Hugo has kept a competitive spirit. “Basketball taught me to manage stress”, he says. When he attended a presentation by Pierre, a former WorldSkills participant, his drive to compete was confirmed. “Given my competitive background, I’ve always liked to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. I needed to set new goals, to see where I stood. Since things were going well at school, I jumped at the opportunity”, he adds.
Emilien, in Web Technologies
In Tournai, Emilien Marquegnies is in his third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology. He shines in the Web Technologies category. About a year ago, he discovered WorldSkills almost by accident during a presentation in a lecture hall. Out of curiosity, he signed up and successfully passed all the preselection stages. After completing several technical and soft skills training courses, he won the national gold medal and joined the Belgian Red Bears team.
To prepare for the European competition in Denmark, Emilien is taking part in preparatory competitions in different countries. “International competitions have allowed me to assess my skills and put myself in real conditions”, he explains. He also highlights the richness of exchanges with other competitors: “Even just for English, it’s great. It’s very easy to talk with other competitors because we’re all in the same boat.”
The Red Bears, Belgium’s national team
After excelling in the national vocational competition, the Startech’s Days, Hugo and Emilien joined the Belgian Red Bears, the country’s national team for technical and technological trades. Like top-level athletes, they follow a structured program that includes technical training as well as soft skills development, such as stress management and mental preparation.
Hugo shares his experience:
“The Belgian Red Bears are like the Red Devils. You create a second family. There’s also a real team spirit that develops between different trades. It’s mainly moral support, because they prepare us mentally for being in competition, with thousands of spectators, and not losing focus. We do exercises that put us in uncomfortable positions.”
Balancing preparation and studies
Both have to juggle between classes, internships, and their intensive EuroSkills training. The pace is demanding, but they embrace it with enthusiasm. Emilien admits: “It does require quite a few sacrifices in my academic life. But honestly, it’s totally worth it. There’s so much to gain from it that the few small inconveniences are really minor.”
Although training sessions are often organized on weekends, the school offers some flexibility. Hugo explains: “During the Startech competition, which took place during the week, I had classes, but I just sent an email to my professor and it was fine. It’s easy to work something out.” This support is valuable, though both young men would like to see such arrangements become more widely recognized and institutionalized.
They stress the qualities needed to take on such an adventure, starting with motivation. As Hugo puts it: “You have to be Motivated, with a capital M. You can be motivated enough to sign up and do the training, but you have to commit to being there one Saturday a month, or more.” For both students, a real thirst for learning and a solid dose of self-confidence are also essential.
Looking ahead
For Emilien, this experience is a real springboard. With his new skills, he plans to pursue a master’s degree. Like Hugo, he also dreams of returning to the world stage in 2026, at the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai.
Both highly recommend the EuroSkills experience to other students. Emilien sums it up: “You shouldn’t think you’re not capable. You have to dare. What you learn here, you can’t learn anywhere else.”
Published on 26 May 2025
HELHa