Australia’s top apprentices, trainees and students celebrate like it’s Carnival after victory at International Competition in Brazil

WorldSkills Australia’s team of 26 Australian competitors is toasting a fantastic team effort in São Paulo, Brazil, during the 43rd WorldSkills Competition on 11-16 August.

The Skillaroos proved to be fierce competition for the other 54 countries in attendance, earning three silver and two bronze medals. Additionally, ten of the Skillaroos received a Medallion of Excellence for receiving an overall score of 500 or above without medalling:

SILVER MEDAL

Harlan Wilton (NSW), Web Design
TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute

Joseph Pauley (WA) Industrial Mechanics Millwright
Polytechnic West

Jyothi Forman (NSW) Jewellery
Melbourne Polytechnic
Sponsored by Melbourne Polytechnic

BRONZE MEDAL

Dylan Di Martino (VIC), Plumbing & Heating
Victoria University
Sponsored by Reece Plumbing

Sam Spong (NSW), Bricklaying
TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE

Adele Di Bella (NSW), Pâtisserie & Confectionery
TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute

Beau Kupris (NSW), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute
Sponsored by Heatcraft Australia and Danfoss

Blair Watters (NSW), Car Painting
TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Dale Fisher (VIC), Graphic Design Technology
RMIT University
Sponsored by The Collie Print Trust

Emma Hillier (NSW), Fashion Technology
TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute

Hayley Parker (VIC), Hairdressing
Gordon TAFE

John Reminis (NSW), Bakery
TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

Kallon McVicar (NSW), Welding
TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute
Sponsored by the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA)

Karl Davies (VIC), Automobile Technology
Federation University

Nicholas Roman (NSW), Joinery
TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

Samantha Johnson (NSW), Restaurant Service
TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute
Sponsored by Didasko Group

As is tradition, each country at the competition announced their country’s Best in the Nation. This year’s Australian winner was Joseph Pauley.

The excitement in the air at the Closing Ceremony was palpable as over 1,000 competitors representing 63 countries came together at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium to celebrate their victory after four days of competition. The Skillaroos were all smiles as they cheered on their teammates and the new friends they have made throughout the competition.

The Skillaroos’ strong performance was the culmination of two years of intensive competition and one-on-one training. Their journey started with their medal-winning performance at the regional level in 2013, advancing them to the National Competition held in Perth last year. After being named the best in the country in their respective trades and skills, these talented individuals were selected to be part of the Skills Squad – a new concept first introduced in 2014 involving the ongoing training and evaluation of each member with the overarching goal of bringing the best team possible to the international competition.

After wowing the competition at the inaugural WorldSkills Oceania Competition in Hamilton, New Zealand, in April, WorldSkills Australia announced the names of the competitors that would represent their country at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Brazil.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan expressed his pride in the result of the Skillaroos’ hard work and dedication over the last two years.

“The Skillaroos are living proof that Australia is at the forefront of vocational education and training excellence,” says WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan.

“We are very proud of the hard work that these amazing young Australians have dedicated to their professional development the last two years. They are excellent ambassadors for their respective industries, and we hope that their achievements serve to show other young people that vocational education and training pathways are viable first choice career options.”

Meanwhile, the next generation of apprentices, trainees and students are competing in WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions now, hoping to follow in the Skillaroos’ footsteps and represent their country at the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2017. For more information, visit the WorldSkills Australia website: www.worldskills.org.au

ENDS

For more information, please contact WorldSkills Australia Communications & PR Coordinator, Devon LaSalle on 03 9249 1000 or dlasalle@worldskills.org.au.