Mathieu Poisson

My Skills Journey
My Skills competition journey began in 2011, when I stepped into the role of Trainer. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of coaching several talented competitors for the WorldSkills Competition. This year, one of my competitors is my own son. Watching him grow in the trade I love fills me with excitement and pride beyond words.

I’m a landscape architect at heart and in spirit. Designing and bringing to life a wide variety of projects is endlessly stimulating—no two days are ever the same. Landscaping isn’t just my job—it’s my passion. It’s in my blood.

Training Champions
When training a WorldSkills competitor, my approach is built on rigour, precision, and resilience. I push my competitors beyond their comfort zones so they can adapt, react, and perform under pressure. I share every technique and insight I can, not just so they can compete—but so they can leave knowing they gave their all.

While I have high hopes for their performance, what matters most is that they walk away from this experience more skilled and more confident. My goal is for them to keep pushing their limits.

Why I Love Volunteering
This will be my final year as a Trainer, and I intend to savour every challenge, every breakthrough, and every moment of joy it brings. Volunteering has given me the chance to give back, to inspire, and to watch the next generation of skilled tradespeople rise—and that’s a privilege I’ll carry with me forever.