Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear ,

On the 26th of July the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence launched SkillsOne TV and SkillsOne.com.au. One of the objectives of the newly formed institute is to improve the profile and status of trades. For 26 years now, WorldSkills Australia, through its program of competitions, has continually raised the awareness of a skills culture throughout the country and we welcome these initiatives by the Institute.

Many of our current Skillaroos and their experts were featured both in the launch and in the programming for SkillsOne TV over the weekend. We will continue to work closely with SkillsOne to provide further content for their programming and we look forward to our ‘celebrities’ receiving the recognition that they deserve.

The 3rd of August marks the farewell celebrations for our first group of skills champions from the 2006 National Competition – the 2006 BBM Scholarship recipients. WSA’s continuing partnership with BBM Ltd. provides a unique opportunity for National Competition winners to develop their leadership and communication skills through participation in the Mission Performance Leadership Program in the UK. Many of the recipients will also use the opportunity to gain work experience following the program providing them with chance to develop their skills in their chosen fields.

They are all worthy ambassadors for their country and their trade/skill area and we wish them all well on this ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.

WorldSkills Australia would like to congratulate Jarrad Langdon on the launch of his new business - Jala Design. Jarrad is just one of the many WorldSkills Australia success stories. Jarrad represented Australia in the International Competition in Helsinki in 2005 and won a gold medal in Web Design, along with wining the Best In The Country by scoring the highest score in the competition for the Australian Team.

Jarrad says “winning gold is a once in a life time opportunity. Competing in an international arena for your country is not something everyone gets a go at... I was so proud to represent Australia”. Jarrad credits his success to the positive attitude he applies to his life and the support he receives from his family, friends, partner and his TAFE teachers at Hornsby TAFE.

WorldSkills Australia would like to thank Jarrad Langdon and Jala Design for revamping WSA’s SkillNews and News Flash. WSA is looking forward to working with a young and talented web designer and a member of the WorldSkills family.

WorldSkills Australia is pleased to announce the launch of SkillsOne TV and congratulate the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence on this exciting new initiative, which was launched on Thursday 26th July.

SkillsOne is produced by the Australia Channel for the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence. It is a new television programme featuring stories on trade skills, apprenticeships, VET, career expos and more. It is the first time Australian television has developed programming that focuses on skills. The programme is broadcasted on Foxtel’s Aurora channel (183) on Saturdays and Sundays running from 2-6pm and weekdays from 9-10am and 5-6pm.

WorldSkills Australia is proud to be included in the content on SkillsOne and will also have a large presence on the website, now live to view, including photos and footage of WorldSkills competitors and events. View www.skillsone.com.au for some great interviews on the Skillaroos and various trades.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan, welcomes the initiative and says “WorldSkills Australia looks forward to working closely with SkillOne TV and the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence to collectively work towards raising the awareness of and promoting respect for a skills culture across Australia.”

(L-R) Bricklaying expert Troy Everett, Painting and Decorating expert Ian Vickery, Cooking competitor Suwanna Rattananikom, WorldSkills CEO Mark Callaghan, Minister for Vocational and Further Education Andrew Robb AO MP, Cooking expert Marion Fitzpatrick, Car Painting expert Brian Johnson and Web Design competitor Matthew Ryan.

WorldSkills on-air

WorldSkills Australia’s regional competitions have been broadcasted and publicised as more people recognise their local talent and dedication to skills. For the latest news reports and radio interviews visit here. For a selection of newspaper articles on regional events visit here.

The WorldSkills Regional Competitions are a great success with many complete and others just gearing up. This month you can see the action in various regions including Canberra, Adelaide, Toowoomba, and Macquarie. Regional competitions are a great opportunity to recognise local talent as well as employers and sponsors. Eligible placegetters from across Australia will have the chance to advance to the WorldSkills National Competition in 2008 and possibly be selected for the Internationals in Calgary, Canada in 2009.

Vocational Education and Training in Schools Competitions have begun across Australia and all VET students are encouraged to participate. Schools across Australia are joining in the first step of the WorldSkills cycle as students in year 11 compete against their peers. The school competition is the first tier, followed by regional and/or state competitions. For more information, projects and application forms visit our new VETiS section on the WorldSkills website or contact your main regional coordinator.

Regional Coordinators: Please be sure to notify Heather Knights when details have been confirmed or altered: hknights@worldskills.org.au or (03) 9249 1000.

Adelaide golden girl eyes further success – Submitted by South Australian state manager, Tim Moss

Adelaide has a newly minted star in Kelly Thomas (pictured), a 20-year-old painter and decorator, who excelled to win the Adelaide competition, held at the MBA Building and Home Improvement Show, 6-8 July, Royal Adelaide Showgrounds.

After winning the silver medal in the previous regional event, Kelly outshone her all-male rivals to win gold this time, ensuring her a place at the national WorldSkills competitions later next year, and a chance to compete at an international level.

“I was really pleased, because I’ve been working really hard and I wanted this badly. I think it will look excellent on my resume as most bosses are aware of WorldSkills competitions these days,” Kelly said.

Employed by the MBA Group Training Scheme, Kelly was amongst a strong MBA GTS field of building and construction competitors taking out three gold medals across the nine categories held.
Matt Carlson, 2006 national winner in Bricklaying and BBM scholarship recipient was also on hand to judge the competitions and encourage all the competitors. 

Adelaide Technical Coordinator Simon Di Francesco said with over 80 competitors taking part across the three days of the show, the standard of competition was extremely high, with all keen to showcase their skills to the large show crowd.

Another previous medallist, plasterer Vic Bentvelzen who won silver at a national level last year, got a taste of gold and will join Kelly on the Adelaide team.

Adelaide Competition results – Building and Construction:

Expression of Interest to Design Projects and Judge for Nationals

WorldSkills Australia is currently taking expressions of interest to judge for the 2008 National Competition. This is a fundamental role for establishing the standards of the national platform and we welcome both new and familiar faces. Visit here for details

Skillaroos Training and Updates

Holly Browne (Beauty Therapy) was recently named Hunter Apprentice of the Year at the 2007 Hunter Regional Apprenticeship & Traineeship of the Year Awards on Friday 13 July.

Suwanna Rattananikom (Cooking) recently won the TAFE NSW, Northern Sydney Institute Most Outstanding Student of the Year award and the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year across all trades. She won a total of $1,500.00 in prize money.

John Rudge (Electrical Installation) was awarded the Western area (NSW) Apprentice of the Year for 2007 and will now advance to the state level nominations. This is yet another award for “Rudgey” who also recently received New South Wales Group Training Apprentice of the Year.

WorldSkills would like to congratulate Samuel Pop (Manufacturing Team Challenge) and his wife Lavinia on the birth of their second child, David Emanuel, born Monday 9th July. We might some day see David competing for Australia at a WorldSkills competition.

Another congratulations from the WorldSkills community to Andrew Rose (Jewellery expert) and his wife, Susan, on the birth of their first child, Jensen Parker Rose. Jensen was born on the 14th July.

Mark Williams (Welding), with the support of Lincoln Electric Australia and Paul Condran attended the USA Skills competition in Kansas City, Missouri from the 23rd to 27th July. International gold medallist from the 2005 Helsinki competition, Jeremy Gransden, also attended as a part of the training team. Mark competed against American and International welders where he finished in 5th position. Welding expert Paul Condran said “This is an excellent result as it has indicated where he is at the moment and I know he can improve.”

Mark (centre) with other competitors

Other Team Australia events and updates

The Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) is a proud supporter of the Manufacturing Team Challenge (MTC) trio, Samuel Pop, Joshua Morsillo and Matthew Nunn. DSF have created a website for the MTC team where you can read about each competitor, their training journals and competition project. Click here

Skillaroos Supporters’ T-Shirt

Whether you are following the Skillaroos to Japan or cheering them on from home, show your support for the Australian Team as they represent the country at the 39th WorldSkills International Competition. Anyone can purchase one - simply send your completed form to Raymond Gibbs at Badgeworks by 31st August. Download the form here

Nineteen WorldSkills Australia national competitors were awarded BBM scholarships for their performance at the 2006 National Competition. The group will be celebrated and farewelled this Friday 3rd August at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Sydney Airport, before they set off for the trip of a lifetime. BBM and WorldSkills Australia look forward to hearing about their experiences and wish them luck as they embark on a unique and valuable journey.

The group will travel to the UK to spend two weeks in a Corporate Leadership Development Program to test the limits of their mental and physical boundaries in various tasks including an expedition into the hills of North Wales and a sinking ship simulator in Portsmouth. Each recipient is able to then travel and work in a chosen company to help enhance their career prospects. Visit www.bbm.asn.au for more details

The group’s Team Leader, Craig Ramstadius looks forward to the trip and getting to know the talented young Australians in the UK.

“As a Team Leader for 5 years I have seen numerous WorldSkills competitors embark on the unique journey provided by BBM and Mission Performance. Every person who comes out of the course is enlightened and empowered by the experience they gain and the friendships they make. I’d like to wish all the best to this year’s group who has already shown that they are skilful and dedicated, and I know they will excel in what they do.”

One of the talented and privileged WorldSkills Australia competitors and BBM recipients is young Victorian, Jacinta Harding. Jacinta has established her own Florist, Bunches and Buds, since the National Competition in 2006 where she received a silver medal. She claims it was hard to find an employer who would take her on board as an apprentice but once her foot was in the door she never looked back.

Would you recommend a trade to others?
Absolutely. Floristry is my number one passion so I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest. I am the only one out of my group of friends that has chosen the path of a trade, and the opportunities that I have come across have been overwhelming. A trade can take you anywhere.

How has WorldSkills Australia helped you so far personally and professionally?
WorldSkills Australia has helped me to develop better communication skills and become more confident in myself and my abilities as a Florist. Professionally it has been overwhelming, I have been paid to demonstrate my skills on stage in front of large crowds, I now have a strong reputation within the industry, and I am now confident enough to run my own business.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I am very fortunate to work in a field that brings a lot of joy to other people’s lives. I love the flowers, I love that I get paid to work with them everyday - it doesn’t feel like a “job”. It’s my lifestyle and I’m so grateful I was able to follow my passion and become a florist.

What do you hope to achieve in both short and long terms of your career?
My short-term goals are to build a successful small business. My long term goals are to continue growing and developing my business, also keeping up to date with current trends and demonstrating all I have learnt to other young florists to help build their confidence and skills so that they may have similar wonderful opportunities as I have.

What do you hope to achieve whilst in the UK for BBM?
The United Kingdom is renowned for having the world’s leading Florists. I am honoured to be able to meet and possibly work with some of the people I have idolised my entire career. I am excited to develop the new skills learnt with the Mission Performance Leadership program, as I have just opened my own business I feel it will be of great benefit to come back with new leadership and communication skills.

WorldSkills Champions Exchange

Do you like to mix business with pleasure? Are you keen get connected with the global skills market and learn from world-class employers? Perhaps you fancy Europe, Canada, Asia or even South America as the perfect backdrop to learn more about your skill? Then the WorldSkills Champions Exchange is just for you!

A premium skills exchange program that offers high quality placements for skills professionals, the Champions Exchange gives WorldSkills competitors the chance to learn more about their skill on a global scale, whilst being mentored by a WorldSkills endorsed employer, for 6 - 18 months in another Member country.

50 champions throughout WSI have submitted an expression of interest in the WorldSkills Champions Exchange program - 7 of which have been matched with employers abroad. Included in this group are a number of Australian champions and companies keen to develop their skills set with international experience.

Melbourne based Graphic Design champion, Sarah Jones, is packing her bags this December and heading for a white Christmas in Belgium. Here Sarah will step out of her ‘day job’ as a teacher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and join the design team of a leading European cosmetics brand. Not only will she enjoy practicing new skills and testing her creative abilities, Sarah also hopes to improve her French - a passion since high school.

Meanwhile, Andrew Whalan, Plumbing champion from Goulburn (a town with a population of just 24,000), will jet to Dublin, Ireland in January 2008 to work with Haughton & Young Limited, Mechanical Engineering Contractors, who will also arrange a training provider for Andrew to attend one day a week.

Don’t miss your chance to join the global labour market! To find out more about the exciting opportunities available for champions through the exchange, or if you're an employer and you're keen to have a WorldSkills champion work with you, please visit www.worldskillschampions.com or contact Mikaeli Costello at Mikaeli.Costello@worldskills.org for a chat.

For more dates and information visit http://www.worldskills.org.au/news_events/events.php 

WorldSkills Australia would like to acknowledge the support of all our sponsors and the many volunteers who contribute to the success of skill development in Australia. For sponsorship information and opportunities contact Catherine Huntley, Sponsorship Coordinator, at chuntley@worldskills.org.au

Welding Technology Institute of Australia

WTIA, the peak Australian Industry Body for Welding Technology, represents the welding interests of virtually all industry sectors. A key role is identification of industry needs to improve performance and competitiveness, and finding solutions to satisfy these needs.

The WTIA promotes qualifications and excellence in welding education.

WTIA has been supporting the Welding Category of the WorldSkills Australia competitions at both National and International level for a number of years and we would sincerely like to thank them for their continued support. www.wtia.com.au

To all main regional/state managers: please make sure you update your events and other details with Heather Knights at hknights@worldskills.org.au or (03) 9249 1000. This is also your newsletter so please remember to submit any information or photos for inclusion in WorldSkills Australia’s main source of communication. Contact Sarah Larsen at slarsen@worldskills.org.au.