Automotive mechatronics technician Janik Schumacher represents Switzerland at WorldSkills
Automotive mechatronics technician Janik Schumacher, winner of SwissSkills 2025, also took the crown at the EuroCup in Bern and will now represent Switzerland at the WorldSkills vocational skills competition in Shanghai in September.
Working together instead of against each other to achieve even more: that sums up this year's EuroCup in Bern. On December 13, 2025, ten automotive mechatronics technicians from three countries competed for a whole Saturday for the title of best automotive mechatronics technician in the field of passenger cars – to cheer each other on, learn from each other, and train under international competition conditions. For Switzerland, the EuroCup served as a qualifier for the WorldSkills Competition from September 22 to 27, 2026, in Shanghai, China: the EuroCup decided who would represent our country at WorldSkills.
The EuroCup (not to be confused with EuroSkills, the European vocational skills championship) is traditionally held in one of the three to five participating countries. This time, the national automotive trade associations from Germany and Italy (South Tyrol) sent their most talented members to the partner association AGVS, where the EuroCup was last held in 2018. The AGVS invited participants to the Mobilcity competence center for cars and transport in Bern.
Ten positions with tough tests
Diagnostic challenges dominated in two halls and at ten test stations. One example: a complex defect in the air suspension system had to be found on one vehicle, and a complicated malfunction in the automatic transmission on another. The tasks had to be completed in 35-minute slots, which can take up half a day or even a whole day in everyday workshop life. The candidates' faces showed everything from confident certainty to growing despair. The judging panel consisted of 17 industry experts from all three countries, including SwissSkills, EuroSkills, and WorldSkills medalists from Switzerland such as Sophie Schumacher (gold medalist at WorldSkills 2024 in the commercial vehicle category).
Relaxed atmosphere despite tension
Once again, the relaxed atmosphere stood out despite the competitive tension: there was a spirit of «togetherness rather than competition,» as Olivier Maeder, Director of Education at AGVS, happily summarized. After an exhausting day, the award ceremony took place in the evening. Maeder thanked the candidates, the experts, and the AGVS team for their commitment and also welcomed the relatives who had traveled to support the candidates. A German and two Swiss climbers took the podium. Third place went to Lars Hayoz from Bonnefontaine FR, who was already Swiss vice-champion at SwissSkills 2025. Second place went to Hannes Wirsing from Germany. First place and thus the ticket to WorldSkills went to Janik Schumacher (20) from Hergiswil near Willisau LU.
«If you get nervous, it's over.»
Janik Schumacher (who, incidentally, is not related to expert Sophie Schumacher) is no stranger in Switzerland: he already won gold in the passenger car category of the SwissSkills vocational championships in mid-September. This means that Switzerland will be represented at WorldSkills by a young man who has what it takes to succeed. The automotive mechatronics technician with a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) works at Touring Garage AG in Huttwil, Bern, and has practically grown up in the automotive industry: his parents run Napf-Garage GmbH in Hergiswil near Willisau. «As the SwissSkills winner, I was under a bit of pressure to succeed,» said Janik Schumacher. «Today, I didn't think it would work out. I'm relieved—and proud to be able to represent Switzerland at WorldSkills.» Why is he so committed to the automotive industry? «Out of professional pride! Participating is a huge opportunity: what you learn here can't be bought anywhere. That's why winning isn't the most important thing; participating is a win in itself.» His tip for competitions: «Stay calm! If you get nervous, it's over.» Now Janik Schumacher's WorldSkills training period begins, which will require him to sacrifice a lot of his free time. Riet Bulfoni, who was also an expert at the EuroCup and a former WorldSkills participant himself, will be responsible for the training.
Source: AGVS
