Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

September has been an extremely busy month for the team at WorldSkills Australia with perhaps the most important task being the thorough evaluation of the National competition medalists with a view to selection of the Team Australia Skillaroos for the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada next year. September also marked the ‘1 year to go’ milestone for the competition in Canada and following the confirmation of competition categories by WorldSkills International, WorldSkills Australia is now in a position to select our team. An official announcement will be made on the 6th of November.

As we prepare to welcome a new team of Skillaroos, I have been fortunate to catch up with a few of the members of the 2007 Skillaroos recently and to see where their journey has taken them post Japan.

At the recent WorldSkills General Assembly in Vienna, 3 members of the 2007 Skillaroos participated in the Youth Forum. Candice Faranda (Ladies/Mens Hairdressing) is currently working in London as part of an AOF scholarship, Courtney Barton (Floristry) is working in Switzerland as part of the WorldSkills Exchange Program and Holly Browne (Beauty Therapy) is also living and working in London. All three were impressive contributors to the Youth Forum and again showed that they are perfect ambassadors for this country.

Over the last couple of days I also had the great opportunity to catch up with Dale McMullen (Automobile Technology) and John Rudge (Electrical Installations). Both were presenters at the VET Network Conference held in Sydney as part of their ‘Spotlight on Youth’ and both provided their stories which had all conference attendees in awe of their achievements. I would like to congratulate the conference organisers for including the ‘Spotlight on Youth’ in their program as it is important that we are all made aware of the outstanding achievements of our young apprentices and trainees and just what can be achieved in undertaking a trade or skill based career.

In addition to the 2007 Skillaroos, I also had the chance to catch up with 2 other WorldSkills Australia champions in Vienna – Jarrad Langdon (Web Design – 2005) and Jane Stokie (Graphic Design Technology – 1988). Both were assisting with the organisation of the General Assembly in Vienna - Jane in her new role as WorldSkills International Technical Director.

From these few examples we can all see the proof that WorldSkills is the start of a tremendous life journey. We all now look forward to working with the next team of Skillaroos as they commence on their own journey.

Team Australia-Skillaroos Announcement

The long awaited announcement of Team Australia is soon approaching and will be made on Thursday 6th November in Sydney.

This team will be representing the country in Calgary, Canada next year at the International Competition and competing against 50 other nations in an effort to improve on their current 5th place in the world. The announcement will be a day of excitement for all WorldSkills Australia members.

The WorldSkills Youth Forum 2008 held in Vienna identifies former competitors as future change agents to voice ideas to improve the future of WorldSkills. WorldSkills Youth Forum (YF) 2008 was held in conjunction with the General Assembly from September 7-11 and involved 34 participants from 19 countries across 23 skill categories. The primary aim of the YF is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and perspectives about WorldSkills, and to encourage the generation of ideals and recommendations focused on 6 key topics:

• Involving youth
• Information technology
• Competitions
• Branding and media relations
• Organisation
• Environmental issues

The YF ended with a very high-tech presentation given to the General Assembly on September 11, 2008. The General Assembly couldn't wait to get out of their seats to congratulate the 34 participants - acknowledging and rewarding their hard work with a standing ovation.

Members of 2007 Team Australia - the Skillaroos presented their ideas at the forum and shared their vision for WorldSkills International. Holly Brown, Courtney Barton and Candice Faranda together with competitors from more than 23 countries participated in the 5 day event, which was first held in Melbourne during the General Assembly in 2006.

Holly Browne, who competed in the Beauty Therapy category at the WorldSkills International Competition in Japan, 2007 was invited to co host the presentation to the General Assembly while fellow Skillaroo, Candice Faranda, a competitor in Ladies and Men's Hairdressing in Japan, also presented.

Candice and Holly have both been working and living in London, while Courtney has been pursuing her passion for floristry - living and working in Switzerland.

Jarrad Langdon, Director of Jala Design and Gold Medallist in Web Design Helsinki, 2005 was invited to help facilitate the Youth Forum.

The Youth Forum 2008 can be summed up by Holly's comments on the last day "This has been an amazing experience, I can't believe that I am living in London, and now have actually been involved in a Youth Forum that reports to the General Assembly, who would have ever thought this was ever going to happen, thanks WorldSkills Australia."

2007 Skillaroo in Ladies and Mens Hairdressing, Candice Faranda provided this account of her experience at the Youth Forum:

“I found the WorldSkills International Youth Forum to be such a fun and fantastic experience! I met new people and gained new contacts - some of which I have recently caught up with as I am living and working in London. A fellow 2007 Skillaroo, Holly Browne and I have been invited by one of UK’s representatives to attend their alumni meeting held later this year in November. It’s a great opportunity to get and stay involved with WorldSkills, even though I am living out of Australia. At the Youth Forum, we were fortunate to be taken on some exciting and extremely fun excursions - one of them was a theme park. Personally and professionally, I learnt a great deal by attending this four day forum. When I returned back to work all I got was questions, questions, questions which shed some light on the world of WorldSkills to my co-workers. It was nice to feel that I could give something back to WorldSkills after all the organisation has given me. I hope as a participant at this year’s Youth Forum that we as a group have made a difference and create changes for the youth of the future”.

The next Youth Forum is to be held in Kingston, Jamaica from the 7 - 11 October, 2010.

View photos of the General Assembly and Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria.

WSA CEO Mark Callaghan and Technical Delegate John Shiel
at the General Assembly, Vienna

WSA CEO Mark Callaghan talks to 2007 Skillaroos involved
in the Youth Forum, Candice Faranda, Courtney Barton and Holly Browne

NSW Minister for Education and Training Scholarships awarded to WorldSkills Australia National Competition 2008 Gold Medalists for future study with TAFE NSW

NSW’s 37 best young skill and trades people were awarded NSW Minister for Education and Training Scholarships to WorldSkills Australia National Competition 2008 Gold Medalists on the 28th August 2008 to study any course of their choice at TAFE NSW.

Held at the Apprentice’s Restaurant, Ultimo Campus, TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute catered for 150 guests including, National Gold Medal winners, TAFE NSW Board Members, Institute Directors, employers, family and TAFE NSW staff who played a key role the organisation of WorldSkills Australia 2008 National Competition.

Deputy Director-General TAFE and Community Education, Marie Persson, who presented the students with their scholarships on behalf of NSW Acting Minster for Education and Training John Hatzistergos said, “These talented young people - who represent regions all over NSW - are to be congratulated. They are not only the best in the state at what they do, but in fact the best in Australia.” TAFE NSW blitzed the competition, topping the medal tally over every other state.

The Deputy Director – General continued stating  “NSW students brought home 67 medals in total, 37 of them gold and most of them in skill shortage industries such as bricklaying, electrical, information technology (IT), cookery, automotive and engineering trades just to name a few. They have showcased TAFE NSW as the Australian leader when it comes to training in skill shortage industries where there are so many opportunities for young people to excel right now.

“For our 30 gold medalists who are already TAFE NSW students this (scholarship) will assist them to further their studies, gain high-level Diploma qualifications and advance their careers. Our 7 gold medalists who are high school students doing vocational education and training (VET) courses as part of their HSC, can get a head start in their careers by articulating into nationally recognised qualifications at TAFE NSW when they finish school

“Many of our gold medal winners who received scholarships today may have the opportunity to represent Australia and compete in Canada next year in the International WorldSkills Competition. This is a great achievement and I wish them all the best. All 37 NSW WorldSkills Australia National Competition 2008 Gold Medal winners received Minister’s Scholarship.

The 37 Scholarship winners at the Minister’s Scholarship Function

Bricklaying Chief Judge Troy Everett and 2009 Bricklaying Gold Medalist at the National Competition Nigel Croke involved in demonstration

On the weekend of the 12-14 September, Bricklaying Chief Judge, Troy Everett and Nigel Croke took part in a bricklaying demonstration at the Hordern Pavillion/Hall of Industries, right next to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The ABBTF (Australian Brick and Block Training Foundation) organised the bricklaying demonstration area through their NSW manager, David Gill.  ABBTF are sponsors of the bricklaying category.
The event was used as a training exercise and to hone Nigel’s detail and presentation skills. It was also a good chance for Nigel to speak with many members of the public, something he may have to get used to if he is chosen to represent Australia at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary. Sheree Harkness also participated in the event, Sheree is a former top student from Wollongong and has competed in the regional competition, placing 4th. Sheree’s brother, Job Harkness represented Australia in the Bricklaying Category in the International WorldSkills Comp in Seoul, 2001.

Troy and Nigel would like to thank the ABBTF for inviting them to the event and congratulate them on what was a great promotion for the Bricklaying trade.

From left to right, David Gill, Troy Everett and Nigel Croke
at the Bricklaying Demonstration

Australian Overseas Foundation (AOF)

Following a rigorous selection process, winners of the Australian Overseas Foundation (AOF) scholarship have been announced for 2008.

The winners are:

• Rolf Barfoed
• Matthew Ely
• Matthew Milburn
• Thomas Spottswood
• Hollie Tomlin
• Christopher Whyte

Rolf Barfoed won a gold medal at the recent WorldSkills Australia National Competition in cabinetmaking and both Matthew Ely and Thomas Spottswood (the 2007 Australian Apprentice of the Year) have competed in WorldSkills Australia competitions.

A formal presentation of awards will be made by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Krester on Thursday the 9th of October. WorldSkills Australia would like to congratulate all winners and wish them well as they take up their scholarships.

BBM (Big Brother Movement)

The selection process for BBM Scholarship Recipients will commence following the official announcement of Team Australia on the 6th of November. With thanks to BBM, 19 scholarships will be offered to eligible WorldSkills Australia Competitors.

Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is the product stewardship organisation
for the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

RRA is a not-for-profit organisation created to work nationally with industry to
share the responsibility for, and costs of, recovering, reclaiming and
destroying surplus and unwanted refrigerants.

RRA's aim is to improve the industry's environmental performance by reducing the level of emissions of refrigerants through its take-back program. Since established in 1993, RRA has become part of the industry fabric.

Created by industry, for industry, RRA is a best-practice, producer responsibility organisation. RRA:

• Adopts a co-regulatory approach, which produces positive environmental outcomes
• Operates efficiently through one coordinated scheme, saving industry
  members time, money and effort
• Provides rebates for contractors who recover and return refrigerant

RRA is a major sponsor of WorldSkills Australia supporting the refrigeration category.

Got some news? We want to hear from you!

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: Sarah Tulloch (stulloch@worldskills.org.au) at the National Office.