August Update

It is just over one month since the Closing Ceremony of the 42nd WorldSkills Competition in Leipzig, Germany and as each day goes by, I find myself thinking more and more about the achievements of the 2013 Team Australia Skillaroos. Set against the backdrop of the biggest International Competition ever with 1,004 competitors (the first time there has been more than 1,000 competitors) from 54 competing nations (there are now 67 member countries in total) competing in front of an estimated 200,000 spectators, the Skillaroos performed well in achieving one gold, two silver, one bronze and 14 Medallions of Excellence. Given the scale of the competition and the ever-increasing competitiveness of all nations, any medal at the international level should be celebrated widely. The fact that we are able to boast that we have the world’s best Automotive Mechanic, Timothy Taylor, who hails from a small country town in western Victoria, should serve as an inspiration to all – just as the achievements of all Skillaroos should highlight the high level of skills training that exists in Australia. Preparing a team for International Competition is a combined effort and requires the support of many – WSA’s Government partners, industry sponsors, employers and local trainers. Without this support, none of this would happen. And finally, a big thank you to all Australian International Experts – you act as trainers, teachers, skill managers and international judges – and all in a voluntary capacity. Your contribution is tremendous.

I hope you all, like me, continue to enjoy the tremendous footage and images from the International Competition available on the WorldSkills Australia website.