Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

May has been a particularly busy month for all involved with WorldSkills Australia. The month was ‘bookended’ by major WSA Try’aTrade activities - starting with a tremendous event held in Brisbane which has become a real showcase of the Try’aTrade calendar and finishing last weekend with 15 Try’aTrade categories being showcased as part of the Sydney Careers and Employment Expo. The respective Ministers for Education and Training took time out of their busy schedules to visit both events - the Hon. Geoff Wilson in Brisbane and the Hon. Verity Firth in Sydney - and, after engaging with students, teachers and Skillaroos, both left realising what an important initiative the Try’aTrade program continues to be.

Sandwiched between these 2 Try’aTrade events a significant milestone in the training for the Skillaroos occurred in Newcastle last week (20 to 23 May) with the staging of the Simulated or Mock International Competition. In partnership with TAFE NSW and through the efforts of governments, training organisations and industry, as well as the vast WorldSkills volunteer network, we were able to include the Mock Competition as an important training exercise for Calgary which replicated, as closely as possible, the conditions of the International Competition. Over the 4 days of competition, all of the Skillaroos were tested in terms of their technical skills as well as their competition skills, while at the same time providing a fantastic opportunity for team bonds to be strengthened - something that will stand them in good stead as they battle their way through the rigours of competition in Calgary.

WorldSkills Australia has always enjoyed good relations with our neighbours ‘across the ditch’ and we were pleased to be able to host 10 competitors from WorldSkills New Zealand - more commonly known as the Tool Blacks. In all cases we have been able to keep our New Zealand counterparts at bay but perhaps the most pleasing aspect to come out of the Mock Competition is that it has highlighted areas across all categories that require improvement if we are to be competitive on the world stage. To that end then, the Mock Competition has been a huge success as it has provided an ideal platform for all competitors to now concentrate on honing the skills that will be required to compete with the best in the world in the final lead up to the International Competition in Calgary.

After a short break for most of the Skillaroos following the Mock Competition, the intensity of the training with less than 100 days to go will again increase. Skills will be refined, new techniques will be mastered and a final Training Camp will be held at the Australia Institute of Sport in Canberra where our skill champions will rightly mix with other elite performers - Australian sporting champions. We all wish them and their experts and mentors well as they enter the final phase of their preparations.

Finally, 17 other Skills Champions are making final preparations for their departure to the UK on the 13th of June to take up the 2009 BBM Scholarships. I have no doubt that they will represent their country and their respective industries with pride as they undertake a 2 week leadership course followed by work experience in the UK. Like the Skillaroos, the BBM Scholarship recipients will all return as role models for all young Australians who are contemplating their futures and as perfect examples for all Australians of what can be achieved in a trade or skills based career.

Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra
20-22 June, 2009

26 of Australia’s elite and highly skilled apprentices and trainees, Team Australia The Skillaroos will be provided with the opportunity to train where Australia’s elite athletes have trained prior to Olympic and World Championship success.

For three days, the Skillaroos will embark on a program to enhance their International Competition
preparation and continue to bond as a team. The program will consist of training in nutrition, fitness,
performance psychology and inspirational talks with high performance athletes and coaches at Australia’s pre-eminent elite sports training institution.

The facilities and environment at the AIS will provide the Skillaroos with the opportunity to finalise their preparations, both physically and mentally and reinforce the tremendous honour they have been
provided - representing their country.

Following the Training Camp at the AIS, the Team Australia Skillaroos are to be presented with Australian Uniforms. Team Australia Skillaroos are training for their biggest career challenge to date - representing Australia in their chosen trade or skill by competing in the WorldSkills International Competition in Calgary, Canada, 1-7 September 2009.

Official Uniform Presentation 

Who: Official Australian Uniform Presentation to Team Australia Skillaroos
Where: Australian Institute of Sport, Marathon Room, Leverrier Street, Bruce, ACT
Date: Monday 22 June 2009
Time: 10am

On Saturday 13th June, 17 young WorldSkills Australia Skill Champions
will embark on an opportunity of a lifetime. They are all recipients of the
BBM Scholarships. The Scholarship recipients will spend two weeks in
the highlands of Wales taking part in a Leadership and Development
course followed by work experience in the UK.

WorldSkills Australia / BBM Limited 2009 Scholarship Farewell Reception

Date: Friday 12th June 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm 
Where: Stateroom, Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport, 20 Levey Street, Wolli Creek NSW 2205

The traditional competitive tension between the Aussies and the Kiwis reached boiling point as
the WorldSkills Australia Team went head-to-head against their rivals from across the Tasman
from May 20-23.

The 27 Skillaroos used this opportunity to hone their skills in competition aimed at emulating WorldSkills International Competition conditions. The Skillaroos competed under the watchful
eye of their experts and spectators in competition at the Newcastle Showground.

View the full article.

Watch footage taken from the Simulated International Competition.

View photos taken from the Simulated International Competition.

28-29 July 2009, Star City Casino, Sydney

The 2009 CPSISC Conference looks at what you need to successfully meet the future needs of industry in terms of learning, recognition and skills development.

WSA CEO Mark Callaghan will be delivering a speech at the conference, as will 2009 Wall and Floor Tiling Skillaroo Peter Steinweiss. Peter will provide an account of his experience and success in the WorldSkills Australia competitions and the anticipation leading up to representing Australia in Calgary at the 40th WorldSkills International Competition.

For more information or to register, go to: www.cpsisc.com.au/CPSISCSkillsConf09/

Kyle French - Painting and Decorating

Kyle French was named Apprentice of the Year in Orange by Central West Group Apprentices. Orange’s top apprentices, trainees and host employers took part in a presentation ceremony at Central West Group Apprentices (CWGA) on Wednesday 27 May to recognise the efforts of employees and their employers.

“If every business had an apprentice like Kyle, they wouldn’t have to worry, he’s great,” his employer Wayne Wilson said. “He is an exceptional young man,” CWGA chief executive officer Ben Bardon said. Kyle also received an excellence award from the Country Women’s Association last year and topped his trade at the Western Institute of TAFE Orange Campus.

Aaron Samphier - Autobody Repair

Aaron was awarded a NSW State Medal for topping the state in his Panel Beating course. Aaron was one of 20 students from South Western Sydney TAFE Institute to excel. Institute Director Barry Peddle said “these Campbelltown students are the best in the state, an amazing achievement, particularly in these key industry areas where we are focusing on turning out more skilled and work ready graduates.” Aaron was also nominated as last year’s Campbelltown Rotary Apprentice.

Joshua Harris - Welding

Joshua was awarded North Coast TAFE Student of the Year in their annual awards
ceremony last week.

Congratulations to these Skillaroos on their fantastic achievements.

WTIA (Welding Technology Institute of Australia)
Top Welding Trainer of the Year Award 2008 Recipient - John Anderson

John is a teacher of Metal Fabrication and Welding at Hunter Institute of TAFE Newcastle Campus. He has been teaching pre-apprentices, apprentices, persons with disabilities and post trade courses since 1981. John has a long commitment to WorldSkills Australia. He has been a National Judge since 1999 and also a category convenor. He has been on the organising committee for Regional Competitions since 1984 and National Competitions since 1999. He loves working with the young people that come through TAFE and sees the future of our industry through them. John is also actively involved in WorldSkills Australia Try’a Trade activities. Congratulations John.

John Anderson and Wall and Floor Tiling Skillaroo, Peter Steinweiss at the
Sydney Careers and Employment Expo WorldSkills Australia Try’a Trade.

Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo, WorldSkills Australia Try’a Trade
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 8-9 May

The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo saw thousands of people attend and try their hand at different trades or skills in the WorldSkills Australia Try’a Trade program. Visitors had the opportunity to try over 42 trades or skills in categories ranging from Cookery, Printing and Graphic Arts, Web Design or Painting and Decorating.

The Careers Expo also saw selected categories run 12 regional competitions such as:
Painting and Decorating, Electrical Control, Electrical Installations, Refrigeration-Brisbane Region, Refrigeration - Toowoomba Region, Plumbing, Detailed Joinery and Shopfitting, Cabinetmaking, Bricklaying, IT Software Applications, Web Design and Printing and Graphics Arts.

Spectators had the chance to watch Celebrity Chef Alastair McLeod (Ready, Steady, Cook) give cooking demonstrations at the Cookery Try’a Trade. Also assisting with the Try’a Trade were 2007 Skillaroos, Michael Kirkwood- Smith (IT Software Applications) and Kim Harrison (Printing and Graphic Arts).

View photos taken from the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo.

Sydney Careers and Employment Expo, WorldSkills Australia Try’a Trade
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, 29-30 May

Spectators to the Expo were able to get their hands on 15 different Try’a Trade activities last weekend in everything from Web Design, Plumbing, Sheetmetal to Beauty Care.

2009 Skillaroos Daniel Jones (Web Design) Nick Davies (IT Software Applications) and Peter Steinweiss (Wall and Floor Tiling) gave their time to assist in running their respective Try’a Trade categories.

Many thanks to all involved in these successful events.

The Hon Verity Firth MP. Minister for Women and Minister for Education and Training
meets with Wall and Floor Tiling Skillaroo Peter Steinweiss
and WSA CEO Mark Callaghan.

WSA volunteer Hilton Jones shows a young boy how to
make a box at Sheetmetal Try’ a Trade

The AOF (Australian Overseas Foundation) grants scholarships every
year to outstanding young vocationally trained Australians who have
achieved excellence in their chosen careers. These scholarships
assist recipients in travelling overseas to work and study in their
vocational field, benefiting their career development and the Australian
industry upon their return. It is designed for young achievers aged 21-27
who have completed their traineeships and apprenticeships.

Scholarships are awarded following a selection process and in 2009 applications for the AOF Scholarships will close on the 20th of August with submissions due in to WorldSkills Australia
by the 6th of August.

Further information on the 2009 scholarships, including the Application Form, will be made available in the coming weeks. For more information on the AOF please visit the AOF website on www.aof.org.au

WorldSkills Australia continually seeks “Expressions of Interest” from people wishing to pursue the voluntary position of being on a design team to design competition projects for the National Competition.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Expression of Interest Form from
the WorldSkills Australia Website and return to the National Office - info@worldskillsorg.au or
fax 03 9249 1033.

Download an Expressions of Interest form.

Hunter Valley Training Company
Australia's premier employer of apprentices and trainees.

Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC) is one of this Country’s leading group
training companies. With eleven regional offices and two Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) across NSW and Queensland, their core business is
the employment of apprentices and trainees and their placement with selected
companies (host employers).

HVTC was founded in 1981 with a commitment to providing quality and innovative
vocational education and training to meet the needs of industry. This remains the
HVTC mission today, as they pursue excellence in training, education and
employment for all Australians.

The Hunter Region is serviced by Hunter-V-Tec which is located in the heart of the NSW Hunter Valley, at Maitland. Hunter-V-Tec is both a Group Training Company and Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and offers diverse employment options and training to industry, delivered on-site, in the workplace or at its training centre.

Hunter-V-Tec (Group Training) specialises in the provision of apprentices in the traditional
trades to industry of the Hunter. It has large numbers of apprentices with mining, manufacturing
and rail companies. 

WorldSkills Australia sincerely appreciates the Hunter Valley Training Company for its
support of Competitors and Experts from the Hunter Region attending the 40th WorldSkills
International Competition.

Competitors
Justin Laidlaw - Car Painting
Mitchell Edwards - Joinery
Nash Mason - Refrigeration

Experts
Brian Johnson - Car Painting
Ian Vickery - Painting & Decorating

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.