WorldSkills Australia announces Skillaroos and Team Australia ahead of 2022 international competition

WorldSkills Australia has today announced its team for the upcoming 2022 WorldSkills Competition, the biggest international skills competition, at a formal ceremony hosted by Governor-General David Hurley.

The 16 young men and women, dubbed the Skillaroos, will now compete against the best apprentices, trainees and students from over 60 countries in the hope of becoming World Champions in their chosen trade or skill area.

The 2022 team represent a wide range of disciplines, including cyber security, carpentry, car painting, hairdressing, bakery and more, reflecting the modern landscape of skills and trades.

The Skillaroos were selected from a pool of 4,000 students, apprentices and trainees who competed in Regional Competitions around the country. Winners from each category then advanced to the 2021 National Championships after which the most elite were decided.

The Skillaroos will continue their rigorous training regime with their expert trainers and mentors to prepare for the 2022 WorldSkills Competition which will take place across 15 countries between September and November.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of our 2022 Skillaroos and Team Australia on being selected to represent our nation and thank the incredible support network that enables our program to be such a success. The pandemic has added additional pressures, but the resilience and drive we’ve seen over the regional and national championships has been incredible and reflects the passion of our competitors and the trade and skills sector at large.”

The Australian Government supports the WorldSkills program which has been instrumental in helping encourage young people to consider a skills-based career, ensuring Australia has the workforce required to meet the demands of the future. With our nation facing a skills shortage, ensuring we not only attract but retain a competent, passionate, and engaged workforce is vital, and events like the Championships help do just that.

Over 1,100 competitors from 57 nations are expected to compete at the 2022 WorldSkills Competition, with 60 skills on display.

The International WorldSkills Competition was created in 1950, with a goal of raising awareness among youth, as well as their parents, teachers and employers, that our future depends on an effective skills training system

Since 1981, WorldSkills Australia has helped more than 100,000 young people compete in regional, national and international skill competitions.