Mental training is also important

In addition to the test projects, Thomas Schranz prepares for the WorldSkills competition with internships in various third-party companies and attends training courses on the different tools and measuring instruments that will be used in Kazan. Such training took place, for example, at the tool manufacturer Fraisa in Bellach, which provides the milling and drilling tools for the WorldSkills event, or at the measuring equipment specialist TESA, which provides the latest generation of measuring instruments in all their different variations. Once a month Thomas meets a mental trainer who is also part of the SwissSkills team. Because the mind also needs to be prepared for the competition. In the mental training, Thomas learns various methods for stress reduction and for dealing with pressure and nervousness. He says: «Normally, I can handle pressure and stress reasonably well. But since I don't know what it will be like in Kazan, it is certainly good to be prepared and not to underestimate the possibilities of mental training.».

Not exerting pressure on oneself is also not always easy: «I still have a lot of practice to do to get a good place at the WorldSkills. The fact that there are now only three months left before the competition sometimes stresses me a little.». But he wants to take advantage of this unique opportunity and make the most of the remaining time. After all, the opportunity to participate in the WorldSkills is something you get only once in a lifetime, Thomas continues, and adds that his motivation usually gets an additional boost when there is a bit of pressure. Pressure also arises from the media interest in the WorldSkills and the participants. Some newspapers or association journals have already arranged meetings for an interview with Thomas. At a media-training course from SwissSkills, where, among others, Marco Thomann from the Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) was present, the participants also learned how best to behave in an interview, especially when it is captured with a camera.