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 Mark Callaghan’s Welcome
Dear WorldSkills Supporter,
Monday the 21st of February saw the release of a key independent report on the future of the Australian Apprenticeship System titled, A Shared Responsibility – Apprenticeships for the 21st Century. The report, which can be downloaded here highlights the challenges that face apprentices and trainees as well as offering ways in which these challenges can be met. To quote the report – “Our report contains a range of recommendations which are designed to achieve a high quality Australian Apprenticeship system, a system which will meet the skill needs for a changing Australian economy, as well as the aspirations and expectations of all its participants.”
From a WorldSkills Australia point of view it is encouraging to note that a recurring theme throughout the report is the need to raise the status and profile of apprenticeships and traineeships including their promotion as viable career choices. As we all know, WorldSkills Australia for nearly 30 years now has raised the awareness of the opportunities available within trades and skills-based careers through our program of competitions. Whether it be the competitor at the Regional level through to the Skillaroos
who represents their country, all have taken up the challenge of skills excellence and all are perfect role models for all Australians in what can be achieved via an apprenticeship or traineeship. As such, we look forward to being able to contribute to the consultation process and being able to contribute to any reforms that arise from the report.
On another matter, it is pleasing to report that there has been a great deal of hard work being done to ensure that the 2011 WSA Regional Competitions are delivered to as many young Australians as possible. Project designers have completed many hours of work reviewing and updating projects and Regional Committees have been working hard to confirm categories and competition dates. Despite many setbacks such as floods and cyclones, the 2011 round of Regional Competitions is shaping as one of our biggest ever. Well done to all involved. |
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 2011 Skillaroos Lester Tibbles (Bricklaying), Alexis Scott (Ladies’/ Men’s Hairdressing), Alex Odgers (Beauty Care) and Tamika Mackrell (Floristry) competed at the 41st WorldSkills French National Finals in February. Below are reports provided by various members of the Skillaroos support/training team.
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Alex Odgers - Beauty Therapy
By Sue Collins, Beauty Therapy Expert
Alex Odgers went into the French National WorldSkills Competition with a feeling of anticipation, a small tool box of beauty therapy implements and a limited knowledge of the beauty treatments she had to execute. Read More |
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Lester Tibbles, Bricklaying
By Troy Everett, Bricklaying Expert
Lester competed in two high level national competitions in two weeks earlier this year. These competitions were in Odense, Denmark and Paris, France. Firstly we went to Denmark and did some training in a bricklaying school there in North Jutland, before competing in the national competition. The national competition was a very big event and the quality of the bricklaying competition was very high. Read More |
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Alexis Scott, Ladies’/Men’s Hairdressing
By Alexis Scott
Paris, wow! What an experience. From translating what the judges were saying at the briefing, to seeing all the main sites, to eating snails and crepes. On the hour every night from our beautiful and well located hotel we could watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle, to finding our way around the city on the metro and dealing with the long distance plane flight. The most important and exhilarating experience was being in the heart of the competition. Read More |
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Tamika Mackrell, Floristry
By Barbara Hawkins, Competitor Support
Tamika travelled to Paris in February with International Deputy Chief Judge Alan Randell-Smith to compete in the 41st WorldSkills French National Competition. Alan Randell-Smith saw this competition as an excellent opportunity for Tamika to gain international experience prior to her competing in London in October 2011, especially as many countries chose to travel to this competition making it almost a mini international. Competitors from Denmark, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, the UK, Canada, Austria, Hungary and Germany competed and of course a large contingent from all provinces across France. Read More |
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Ebony Miller, WorldSkills Australia National Competition, Brisbane 2010 competitor from Victoria, and also WorldSkills Australia Youth Forum 2010 Delegate has been nominated for the Chamber of Commerce Youth Enterprise Award to be held at Crown Palladium on the 17th of March 2011. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement Ebony!
Ebony Miller at the WorldSkills Australia
Youth Forum,Adelaide 2010.
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 WorldSkills Australia is proud to support National Carpenters Day on 8th April 2011. Following the success of the event in 2010, the third annual National Carpenters Day promises to reach an even wider audience with new activities, national events, sponsors, partners and participants.
Often the unsung heroes of Australia’s past and present, carpenters add value to our economy and community at many levels. National Carpenters Day has been created to recognise the role of carpenters, their skills and the part they play in building a more sustainable environment by using carbon-storing wood, which has low embodied energy and helps tackle climate change.
Building up to the day will be nominations for the Carpenter of the Year and Apprentice Carpenter of the Year. Workmates, friends, family members and even carpenters themselves can enter right now on the website www.carpentersday.com.au
With a total prize pool of $60,000, which includes a $20,000 Jet-ski, package from Lockwood/Assa Abloy there is plenty on offer for everyone involved.
Australia-wide, the highlights of the day will be a series of free BBQ’s at participating suppliers’ premises and TAFEs. BBQ’s will offer free snags, drinks and instant prizes, helping celebrate the role of carpenters and building camaraderie and relationships. You can find the BBQ locations at www.carpentersday.com.au.
An impressive list of participants is lined up to support the day, including timber merchants, builders, TAFEs, industry bodies, trade publications and more. Support packs and free promotional materials are available to BBQ hosts. If you’re interested in getting involved, please call 1300 414 044 or email admin@carpentersday.com.au. |
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Applications are now open!
Closing date Friday 3rd June 2011.
Win $10,000 to study overseas skills and technologies. Help the Australian manufacturing industry through workforce development and education and training. The purpose of the MSA Innovation Program is to extend the capability and performance of the Australian manufacturing industry through education and training, and workforce development. Applications are invited from vocational education and training (VET) students, VET teachers and trainers, assessors, enterprise employees and owners. There are no limitations on age or background.
Additional information.
Download an application form |
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 By Mark Callaghan – CEO of WorldSkills Australia
It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of a WorldSkills Australia stalwart, Brian Birchall.
Brian, who was involved with the WorldSkills Australia New England region for over 25 years passed away on Monday the 21st of February after a short illness. He held many positions within the New England regional committee including that of Treasurer and Team Leader and the recent strength of the New England region can be attributed to the drive and passion of Brian.
On behalf of everyone associated with WSA, I would like to extend our condolences to his family and in particular, to Jan his wife.
Finally, I would like to echo the words of the WSA New England region committee who noted:
“The Worldskills Australia New England Region was blessed to have such a wonderful man grace us with his presence and work ethics and it is with an enormous feeling of sadness that we continue without him in our organisation. His memories, his humour and tireless efforts will never be forgotten.”
Vale Brian Birchall |
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|  George Weston Foods (GWF), is about really, really good food, made by really, really good people for everyone, everyday.
GWF is a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods Plc , one of the world's leading food companies. GWF's principal operations are undertaken throughout Australia and New Zealand with a presence both in China and Japan. GWF also has joint ventures in the United States and parts of Asia.
GWF is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest food manufacturers, employing around 8,000 employees in close to 60 sites. With a proud history of growth fuelled by both acquisition and an entrepreneurial spirit, GWF produce some of Australia and New Zealand's best loved brands.
Tip Top is one of the leading food brands in Australia and produces around one million units of fresh baked product every day.
GWF also make other iconic brands such as Don Smallgoods, KR Castlemaine, Sunblest, Golden, Top Taste, Bürgen and newer brands such as Bazaar Breads of the World. GWF business is diverse, they are one of Australia's largest millers and wholesalers of grain, buying and using almost 500,000 tonnes of bread wheat each year.
GWF have a fresh pork and dairy business, and are the largest manufacturer of smallgoods in Australia. They also produce and market their own cleaning and hygienic solutions under the Jasol brand.
George Weston Foods is proudly supporting Team Australia Skillaroo Joseph Astorga who will be representing Australia in the Cooking category at the 41st WorldSkills International Competition, London UK. |
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