Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

As you read this edition of Skill News, John Shiel and myself (as WSA Technical and Official Delegate) will be representing WSA at the WorldSkills International (WSI) General Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica.

The WSI General Assembly is held annually and provides a forum for WSI to share information with all member countries as well as the opportunity for all member countries to discuss issues surrounding the promotion of skills excellence at both the domestic and global level. The benefits of being part of a global skills movement is that we have opportunities like the General Assembly meetings where we can compare what is happening around the globe and share knowledge as we all strive to promote a global awareness of the contribution that skills and skills excellence makes in increasing performance and productivity.

I will also have much pride in presenting to other member countries two initiatives which WSA has been involved with during 2010 – Skills for Sustainability (Green Team 2010 – partnering with DSF and ARUP) as well as the Modelling of Vocational Excellence (MoVE) Research (in partnership with DSF and RMIT).

During the General Assembly, WSI will also be celebrating its 60th Anniversary. This is a significant milestone and while there will be many opportunities to reflect on the past 60 years we will also be looking to the future. During the General Assembly the WSI Vision “WorldSkills 2020 – Promoting Skills Across the World” will be put forward to all members for endorsement. This is a significant document and one that aims to develop a broader mission for WSI – one that extends the role of WSI and its members beyond the competition to include advocacy and education. I look forward to providing an overview of these meetings in future editions of SkillNews.

At the local level, the month of October is a busy one for WSA. On 21, 22, 23 and 24 October, two important meetings will be convened in Adelaide. Every two years all WSA Regional representatives meet to discuss WSA activities – to review the recent National competition and to look forward to the next round of regional competitions. Being held in conjunction with the Regional Workshop, WSA is hosting an inaugural Youth Forum aimed at providing recent past competitors from around the country with a chance to share their experiences and to be an integral part of the future of WSA.

The WorldSkills International General Assembly and Youth Forum will commence in a couple of days! Both events are held in Kingston, Jamaica from 3-10 October.

There are 29 delegates to the Youth Forum. They are champions from 12 countries/regions representing 13 skill areas. WorldSkills Youth Forum objectives are to actively encourage and support the growth of past competitor alumni networks and associated youth activities within WorldSkills International and its member organisations and to widen and deepen the effectiveness of WSI in line with its vision and mission.

Australia is well represented at the Youth Forum. Jarrad Langdon will be a facilitator at the forum and 2009 Skillaroos Megan Kuhn, Andrew Arthur will be attending the forum.

Read more on the General Assembly and Youth Forum.

The Inaugural WorldSkills Australia Youth Forum 2010 to be held in Adelaide from 21st – 24th October 2010 will allow WorldSkills Australia Champions to help shape the future of WorldSkills Australia.

We hope that the Youth Forum will inspire past WSA competitors to openly discuss skill-related issues and share their views on how to improve the Competition and the image of vocational education & training and how to best market our Competitions.

Forum attendees will share, debate and workshop ideas, build friendships, network, and benefit from exchange with fellow WorldSkills Australia Champions.

The Youth Forum ideas and suggestions will be presented to the WSA Board of Directors.

Regional representatives from the 30 regions across Australia will be attending the 2010 WorldSkills Australia Regional Workshop held in Adelaide from 22nd-24th October.

Delegates attending the workshop will discuss key areas of WorldSkills Australia in view of providing and receiving crucial information to ensure the ongoing development of both the National organisation and Regional committees. Discussion points for this workshop include, but are not limited to topics such National Competition review and planning, WSA Sponsorship, 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos, 2011 Regional Competitions, Marketing and Communications, Finances, VETiS, Try’aTrade and strategic goals.

At the culmination of the workshop, regional contacts will listen to Youth Forum delegates report on their goals, key findings and strategies to lead WorldSkills Australia into a successful future.

The Skillaroos  formal team announcement will be made on 19th  November 2010 at the Australian Training Awards. We look forward to keeping everyone updated with regard to the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos and, in particular, introducing everyone to these worthy Australian representatives after the team is formally announced in November.

The 54th Australian Overseas Foundation (AOF) Awards Presentation
will be held on the 19th October at the VACC. The AOF is committed to
the education, development and leadership potential of young Australians.
AOF believes that industry skills gained through overseas work experience
additionally develops independence, confidence and cultural awareness.

A celebratory dinner held at William Angliss, Melbourne will follow the presentation of awards.

Watch this space for the announcement of the AOF Scholarship Recipients.

To all Trainers, Employers and Family of the 2010 National Competitors,

Recently at the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Brisbane, WorldSkills Australia partnering with Dusseldorp Skills Forum and RMIT University asked competitors and judges to complete an online survey which aims to study vocational excellence. 

Read More on the MoVE Research Project.

We kindly ask for all trainers, employers and families to take the time and go online to complete the survey. We thank you in advance for your time.

SkillsTech Australia, the lead TAFE institute in trade and technician training, and the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE (BNIT) were well represented at the 2010 Former Origin Greats (FOGS) Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 15 September. 

SkillsTech Australia Project Manager Eric Davis said it was the largest expo to date, with a great turn out of more than 3500 Indigenous job seekers and school leavers and special appearances by a host of FOGS and Brisbane Broncos players, including ‘The King’ Wally Lewis.

Read More on the FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo.

Ash Neumann’s jewellery has been featured in Marie Claire magazine as a finalist for the 3rd and 4th Year Apprentice Award for his work. Ash studied at Southbank Institute of Technology, Brisbane and was awarded a Silver Medal in Jewellery at the WorldSkills Australia National Competition Brisbane 2010. Congratulations Ash!

View Ash’s craftsmanship in Marie Claire.

Steve and Kaye Hornery have spent countless time working on their property creating beautiful gardens and surrounds in what Steve called “God’s country.” Their dream was to open their home and gardens to the public as a way of fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation in honour of their late granddaughter Molly.

The Hornery residence will be open for the public to spend a beautiful day in the Hunter Valley with a jazz band, children's entertainment, wine tasting, coffee van on-site, aqua golf, 100 club, light refreshments and a sausage sizzle.

Bring along a picnic blanket and have a relaxing day by the dam listening to the jazz on offer, sipping a glass of the regions finest wine whilst the kids are having a ball.

When: Saturday 9th October, 09.00am to 2.00pm
Where: 31 Pothana Lane, Belford (In the Hunter)
Details: A donation on entry is kindly asked and all proceeds will be donated to
the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation.

The Australasian College - Broadway was founded in 1994 by Maureen Houssein-Mustafa. It is a wholly owned Australian education and training facility and is a subsidiary of MHM Australasia Pty Ltd. The College was the first private Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to be awarded the NSW Training Provider of the Year (2000) and is member of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET).

The College provides students with a unique opportunity to boost skills, trade qualifications and personal development offering Australian and international students with the opportunity to gain world-class training in a range of hair, nails and beauty qualifications, opening the door to an exciting career in the personal services sector.

The College has attracted some of Australia’s leading trainers and education specialists and offers students world-class theoretical and practical training to ensure that they meet and exceed industry requirements when entering the workforce.