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 Mark Callaghan’s Welcome
Dear WorldSkills Supporter,
It is December already and traditionally at this time of year we reflect on the year that is almost over. At WSA we are no different and no matter which way you look at it, 2011 has been a big year, with the major highlight being the tremendous achievements of the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos. These young Australians, together with their extensive support network led by their International Experts have again shown the high level of vocational education and training that exists in Australia by finishing 7th at the 41st WorldSkills Competition in London.
And while the achievements of the Skillaroos should be recognised and applauded, so too should those of the many young apprentices and trainees who have taken the skills excellence challenge and embarked on their own WorldSkills journey by being a part of the 2011 round of WSA Regional competitions.
Finally, as we head towards the end of 2011, on behalf of everyone associated with WSA, I would like to recognise the massive contribution that the WSA family of volunteers make to this organisation. As Monday the 5th of December was International Volunteers Day, it is timely to recognise everyone who continues to give up their time for WSA activities.
The success of the Skillaroos, the increasing numbers of Regional competitions and indeed all of the highlights of 2011 would not be possible without the dedication, passion and countless hours of work that WSA receives from regional committees, project designers, judges, convenors, trainers, mentors, experts... the list goes on. Thank you to you all.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Thank you for a great 2011 and here’s to an even bigger 2012.
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(l-r) Kate Crocker, Andrew Seeley, Senator The Hon. Chris Evans, Matthew Thorpe, Katherine Howden
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On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, Senator The Hon Chris Evans launched the Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors Program.
The aim of the initiative is to use Apprenticeship Ambassadors to promote the benefits of attaining a formal skills qualification.
Senator Evans said the Ambassadors would promote the life-changing benefits of completing an Australian Apprenticeship and the Government would implement a series of reforms to transform how training was delivered.
The WorldSkills Australia representatives at the event included 2011 Skillaroos Kate Crocker and Andrew Seeley, 2011 BBM Recipients Katherine Howden and Matthew Thorpe and WSA Experts Steve Bulman, Grant Petch and Sarah Jones.
Joining WSA representatives were some high profile Australians who have undertaken an Australian Apprenticeship, including Greater Western Sydney Giants Coach Kevin Sheedy, horticulturalist and TV Star Jody Rigby and former NRL great Andrew Ryan.
Kevin Sheedy who began his career in the plumbing industry, shared some words highlighting his support for the new program: “Plumbing helped give me and many other AFL footballers a start in life and Australia needs young people to have the opportunity to build their careers through the apprenticeship system.”
Read the media release. |
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Andrew Seeley being interviewed by Mark Callaghan for the Wide World of Skills
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The next episode of the Wide World of Skills is now available for viewing on the WorldSkills Australia YouTube Channel.
Watch WSA CEO, Mark Callaghan interviewing; Kate Crocker, Andrew Seeley, Katherine Howden, Matthew Thorpe, Steve Bulman and Grant Petch at the launch of the Australian Apprenticeship Ambassadors Program.
Watch the latest Wide World of Skills episode. |
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Matthew Thorpe in
his element.
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Matthew Thorpe is a 21 year old baker from Adelaide who won a gold medal at the WorldSkills Australia National Competition, Brisbane 2010 and became a successful applicant for a 2011 BBM Scholarship.
Fast forward to the end of 2011 and Matthew, now a qualified baker, has recently returned from a two month stint across Europe and the UK where he completed the BBM Mission Performance Leadership Program and an extensive work experience venture.
From participating in a Sinking Ship Simulator to climbing the highest mountain in South Wales, Matthew has a list of new items to add to his life experiences and after completing work experience in England, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Germany, he also has some impressive additions to his resume.
Read all about Matthew’s experience in his exciting report. |
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Dave Arnold celebrating with Ben Houghton's father, Tim,
at the 41st WorldSkills International Competition.
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Dave Arnold has been involved with WorldSkills Australia since 1984 and has been training and mentoring students for over 33 years with his work at TAFE Western.
Dave has influenced the lives and career paths of many students in helping them to achieve world class standard skills. One of Dave's most recent triumphs being Ben Houghton; a student of his from Dubbo who was recently awarded the gold medal in Electrical Installations at the 2011 International Competition.
For Dave, teaching is much more than just a job; he dedicates an enormous amount of his personal time and resources to help his students achieve their goals. Over the years Dave has spent countless hours in his garage training with his students and WorldSkills Competitors, helping them to perfect their skills.
It is no wonder why Dave was awarded the 2011 Tony McGrane Public Services Award, a highly prestigious community award in Dubbo.
Congratulations Dave, a very well deserved acclamation.
Read the articles about Dave:
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Jeanette Allen on stage accepting her award at the Australian Training Awards.
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Brisbane played host to this year’s Australian Training Awards held on November 25th. The prestigious annual event, celebrates excellence in the vocational education and training sector.
The Australian Training Awards recognise and reward organisations and individuals for their outstanding commitment and contribution to skilling Australia.
Congratulations to all Australian Training Award winners and in particular Service Skills Australia CEO and WorldSkills Australia Chair, Jeanette Allen, who took home the Inaugural Leadership in Quality Award.
View the results from the Australian Training Awards. |
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Restaurant Service expert Brigitte Collins and trainer
Ivan Novak.
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On Monday December 5, people from around the world celebrated International Volunteers Day, a day which commemorates the contributions of volunteers worldwide in a range of initiatives.
WorldSkills Australia would like to take this opportunity to shine a light on our dedicated family of volunteers. WorldSkills Australia would not be the organisation it is today without their invaluable contribution.
Happy International Volunteers day to all WSA volunteers. An enormous thank you for your 30 years of commitment, passion and inspiration.
WSA is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2012 National Competition, Sydney. Learn how you can join the WSA family. |
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Katherine Howden, busy at work in the WSA National office.
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WSA jumped at the opportunity to employ National Gold Medallist in Painting and Decorating, Katherine Howden to paint the dated and multi coloured national office.
Katherine was age-ineligible to take her skills to the International Competition but was successful in securing another international pathway through a BBM Scholarship.
Having only recently returned to Australia from her overseas adventure with BBM Katherine, owner of Katherine’s Painting Solutions (Melbourne based), got straight to work on rectifying the lime green and painfully purple walls of the office.
Katherine’s decorating skills also came into play when she painted the BBM and Skillaroos logos onto our entrance walls.
Thank you Katherine for your incredible hard work and bringing our now beautifully painted office into the 21st century. |
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Applications for the 2012 Ern MacDonald Fellowship of 2012 will be opening soon. Medal winners from the 2010 WorldSkills Australia National Competition in the Building & Construction categories are encouraged to apply.
The Fellowship will award one winner with $10,000 and two runners-up with $2,500.
Eligible categories include:
- Bricklaying
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Construction Steel Work
- Electrical Control
- Electrical Installation
- Joinery
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration
- Wall & Floor Tiling
Please register your interest for the Ern MacDonald Fellowship through mhardy@worldskills.org.au. |
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2011 Skillaroo Kye Szeniak.
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On Wednesday 23 November The Hon Adrian Piccoli, Minister for Education MP hosted a WorldSkills Australia Recognition Function at Parliament House, Sydney.
The function recognised and celebrated the great achievements of the NSW Skillaroos and their Experts, Mentors, Team Leaders and Supporters after their success at the 41st WorldSkills International Competition in London.
The function was attended by Pam Christie - Deputy Director-General, Ministers, MP’s, members of the TAFE NSW Board, WorldSkills Australia Board, TAFE NSW Institute Directors and the Skillaroos families and friends.
Each of the Skillaroos proudly accepted their Certificate of Recognition handed to them by Minister Piccoli, whilst Pam Christie had the honour of presenting each of the Experts and Team Leaders with a certificate to recognise their commitment, time and devotion in the training and development of the competitors.
View more photos from the event on the WSA Flickr site. |
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WorldSkills Australia is seeking “Expressions of Interest” from people wishing to pursue the voluntary role as category judge at the 2012 National competition.
We encourage interest from people equipped with the following essential criteria:
- Be a current active participant in 2011 regional competitions as a judge or convenor
- Have current trade / industry involvement
- Have knowledge of national industry standards and training packages
- High level communication skills
Please complete the Expression of Interest Form and return to WorldSkills Australia no later than the 23rd January 2012.
Stay tuned on the WSA website for more information about the 2012 WorldSkills National Competition, information coming soon. |
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The WorldSkills Australia National Office will be closed from 22nd December 2011 and will reopen on the 4th January, 2012. |
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Please direct all future mail to the new WorldSkills Australia PO box address:
PO Box 4638, Melbourne VIC 3001 |
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This newsletter is about the WorldSkills community, so we want news from the WorldSkills Australia community. If you would like to spread your news across Australia contact: Simone Gioia (sgioia@worldskills.org.au) at the National Office. |
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