THE RESULTS ARE IN!!

Members of the Skills Squad are proud of their performance following four days of tough competition at the inaugural WorldSkills Oceania Competition in New Zealand.

Most competition categories were down to the wire to complete their projects that they had been working hard at over the competition held at Wintec Institute of Technology, Rotokauri Campus. The team experienced incredible pressure as their Training Managers counted down the last few seconds of what will be the deciding factor to determine who will be selected to represent Australia as a Skillaroo at the 43^rd WorldSkills Competition, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“After day three I unfortunately finished a minute shy of being able to test my project. I came in on day four more prepared mentally and managed to get the job done well and truly in test time. I had a test and it all held together under pressure and had a minute to spare to tidy up the whole job,” said Dylan Di Martino, 2015 Skills Squad member in Plumbing and Heating.

Once all tools were down, the Skills Squad had a quick debrief before they hopped onto a bus to see the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The team saw thousands of magical glowworms sparkling from above as they glided down on a boat.

In addition to providing competitors with ongoing training and development, trades and skills competitions like the WorldSkills Oceania Competition also create an understanding that trades and skills-based careers are a vital part of the Australian economy. WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan, says that they play an important role in fostering relationships and cooperation amongst governments, industry and the training sector.

“It is hoped that WorldSkills Australia can work with our colleagues in the Asia Pacific region to continue to highlight the importance of skills excellence in economies and communities”.

The team experienced a whirlwind week filled with excellent training opportunities, new friendships and amazing memories. Thank you to WorldSkills New Zealand for what was a successful and challenging competition for our Skills Squad.

This evening at the official Awards Ceremony, our Skills Squad proudly took home 26 medals for Australia. Congratulations to all members of the Skills Squad for their tremendous effort and incredible team spirit throughout the entire competition.

WorldSkills Australia would like to congratulate:

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Sam Spong, Bricklaying, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Sharlene Kidd, Painting and Decorating, MPA Skills

Jyothi Forman, Jewellery, North Melbourne Institute of TAFE – Fairfield Campus

Jessica Peters, Floristry, TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute, Padstow College

Emma Hillier, Fashion Technology, TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute, Macquarie Fields College

Adele Di Bella, Pâtisserie and Confectionery, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College

Samantha Johnson, Restaurant Service, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College

Beau Kupris, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute, Granville College

John Reminis, Bakery, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Joseph Pauley, Industrial Mechanics Millwright, Polytechnic West

SILVER MEDALLISTS

Kelvin Marquand, Manufacturing Team Challenge, Federation University Ballarat

Matt Sawers, Manufacturing Team Challenge, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Luke Schaenzel, Manufacturing Team Challenge, TAFE Queensland

Daniel Picariello, Wall and Floor Tiling, TAFE SA

Dylan Di Martino, Plumbing and Heating, Victoria University – Sunshine Campus

Harlan Wilton, Web Design, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute, Wentworth Falls College

Jim D’Elboux, Industrial Control, TAFE NSW Western Institute, Dubbo College

Karl Geue, Kingston SE, SA – Cabinetmaking, TAFE SA

Dale Fisher, Graphic Design Technology, RMIT – Melbourne City Campus

Thomas Crittenden, Sheet Metal Technology, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Newcastle Campus

BRONZE MEDALLISTS

Nicholas Roman, Joinery, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Wollongong Campus

Stacey Romanowski, Beauty Therapy, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute, Katoomba College

Kurt Trask, Automobile Technology, TAFE Queensland

Joshua Mason, Cooking, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde College

Blair Watters, Car Painting, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Glendale Campus

Michael James, Construction Metal Work, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Leeton Campus

Members of the Skills Squad will find out whether they’ve been selected to be part of the 2015 Skillaroos when the results are announced on Monday 11 May.

To see all of the photo highlights captured at the WorldSkills Oceania Competition, visit www.facebook.com/WorldSkillsAustralia

For more highlights, subscribe to WorldSkills Australia e-newsletter, SkillNews.