WorldSkills Reveal’s Team Australia ‘Skillaroo’ Uniforms for Lyon 2024

WorldSkills Australia has unveiled the uniforms its 32 young competitors and their experts will wear while representing Australia on the world stage at the 47^th WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France next month.

The competition uniform has been designed by proud Worimi woman and Indigenous artist, Jacinta-Rai Ridgeway-Maahs, featuring designs representing Australia’s rich cultural history.

The competition uniform is adorned with powerful symbolism, including the nation’s iconic flora and fauna, landscapes, the passion and endurance of Team Australia, and the community spirit that the International Competition fosters.

The formal uniform was designed for the WSC2017 Abu Dhabi by 2013 Skillaroo in Fashion Technology Ashleigh Maric- the colours representing Neutral Sand colours for the desert and Navy for the Australian flag.

Team Australia will wear the formal uniform while entering Lyon’s largest event venue, the LDLC Arena, showcasing an impactful design to a large crowd including foreign dignitaries, senior industry representatives and cheering supporters.

The competition uniforms were formally revealed at an event on Monday 19 August at RMIT University’s City Campus, where several members of the 2024 Team Australia received their training.

Lyon 2024 will be one of the largest International Skills Competitions in WorldSkills history, with more than 1,500 competitors and 1,400 experts from over 65 countries taking part. Over 250,000 visitors from around the world are expected to attend the event over its six days.

Team Australia and the Skillaroos – one of the largest contingents ever sent to an International Competition – represents the best of Australia’s vocational education sector, with competitors representing 29 skills including bricklaying, cyber security, cookery, plumbing and heating, and fashion technology.

All members earned their place through initially in 2022 regional competitions and progressing to the 2023 national championships, which pitted the nation’s best apprentices, trainees, and young professionals against one another in a series of events designed to test their and ability to perform in audiences.

Since qualifying, the team has been practicing and honing their skills under the guidance of their mentors. At a friendly competition the Global Skills Challenge held in May involving over 138 international competitors from 17 countries, Team Australia performed strongly, winning 15 medals and placing second overall.

The main event – the 47^th International Competition – will take place between 10 to 15 September. More information about the event can be found at: https://worldskills2024.com/en

Quotes attributable to Trevor Schwenke, WorldSkills Australia CEO:

“Representing Australia on the world stage is an incredible moment that our Skillaroos will remember for life. To wear the national uniform, with its beautiful indigenous designs, will really hammer home just how momentous it is.

“With the world’s eyes having been on our athletes in France, it’s time for our skills sector to do the same and make the nation proud. Regardless of performance, the fact we’re sending our biggest delegation ever speaks volumes on the strength of our skills sector and the support we’re receiving.

“We thank Jacinta-Rai for capturing Australia’s rich history and the spirit that embodies our competitors, experts and network of volunteers who make it all possible.”

Quotes attributable to Jacinta-Rai Ridgeway-Maahs, artist and uniform designer:

“I love to tell stories through my art and create pieces that people can connect with, so I’m incredibly honoured to be given this opportunity to share the story of Worldskills Australia and its talented Skillaroos.

“I would also like to thank my mum, who is Worldskills’ Australia’s biggest fan, for sharing her love and passion for everything they do with me. She’s been a huge inspiration and really helped me connect with the piece and share our culture. Let’s go Skillaroos!”

Quotes attributable to Mish Eastman, RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice-President

“RMIT University is proud to host the launch of the WorldSkills competition uniforms at our City Campus. This is a fantastic opportunity for our RMIT students competing on the international stage to connect with the Skillaroos team and celebrate this pivotal moment in their skills journey together.

“I can’t wait to see the Skillaroos compete on the world stage. It’s a testament to the opportunities that are afforded to students studying vocational education. I know these exceptional students will hugely benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime experience as they work towards taking up in-demand jobs that support the Australian economy.”