Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear ,

On Thursday the 28th of February I was provided with the opportunity to briefly address the Service Skills Australia Conference – Update, Motivate, Educate.

The purpose of WorldSkills Australia’s involvement was to provide an overview of WorldSkills Australia and to recognise the efforts of the 2007 Skillaroos who, through their involvement in the 39th WorldSkills Competition have helped raise the bar in terms of skills excellence in this country. In particular, Jeanette Allen (CEO of Service Skills Australia and Chair of WorldSkills Australia), made a presentation to the five Skillaroos which Service Skills Australia supported throughout the International competition. Candice Faranda (Ladies/Mens Hairdressing) and Courtney Barton (Floristry) were on hand to receive a small plaque from Jeanette in recognition of their achievements. I would like to offer my thanks to Jeanette and Service Skills Australia for sharing the stage with WorldSkills Australia. It is through the continued support that we receive from organisations such as Service Skills Australia as well as the support from countless individuals that enables WorldSkills Australia to continue to contribute to Australia’s economic growth through the recognition and promotion of world class skills.

These ‘world class’ skills will again be on display in Melbourne from the 20th to the 22nd of April as regional winners from around Australia compete at the WorldSkills Australia Refrigeration National competition. These young skill champions will pit their skills against their peers as they battle it out for the title, National Champion.

Finally, following recognition of the 20th anniversary of the 1988 WorldSkills International competition, we have had many members of the 1988 team (competitors, judges and volunteers alike) contact the National office. WorldSkills Australia is looking to make contact with as many people as possible who were involved in the 1988 competition. If you were involved or know of anyone who was, please contact our National office via email on info@worldskills.org.au.

In preparation…

As plans for the WorldSkills Australia National Competition continue, the 2008 competitors and judges will soon receive their letter of invitation to attend and participate in the 3 day event. Once all application forms are received by the end of March, WorldSkills Australia will be able to confirm and officially announce all participants.

In the meantime some regions have held training camps for their prospective competitors to prepare them for what lies ahead in Sydney.

Ballarat team leader, Andrew Dower, found that “all competitors have become well informed WorldSkills ambassadors and feel a part of the bigger picture” after their camp was held at Adekate Camp in Creswick. Over the weekend of 9th and 10th of February, the Ballarat team heard from past International Gold Medallist Peter Bailey and successful business woman Tracey Holmes, who has trained many WorldSkills competitors. Andrew believes that the WSA promotional DVD evoked thoughts, plans and ideas about how to prepare for the National Competition individually and as a region.

Left to right: Ben Dean (Electrical Control),
Teymara Godfrey (Hairdressing) and Brendan Berlund (Carpentry).

The Riverina Murray region also held a camp on the 23rd and 24th February in Borambola, 30km east of Wagga Wagga. Ten of the region’s potential 12 competitors attended the camp with team leaders Dave O’Donnell and Janette Griggs presenting WorldSkills promotional material, video tapes of past competitions and a slide show of previous national and international events. In between the sessions the team participated in interactive team building activities, kayaking, rock-climbing and abseiling. Dave and Janette were pleased with how the competitors transformed over the camp. “It was a very quiet group that travelled up to the camp on the bus.  That same group were very noisy and friendly on the way home.” 

Green WSA

In an effort to address challenges around environmental sustainability WorldSkills Australia and Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) are working together to make the 2008 National Competition as environmentally friendly as possible.

Visit www.worldskills-sustainable.org.au for information on the new WorldSkills sustainability project.

Refrigeration National Competition

The WorldSkills Australia Refrigeration National Competition is to be held in Melbourne on 20th to 22nd April as a part of the WorldSkills Australia National Competition 2008 and held in conjunction with the ARBS (Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Building Services) Exhibition. The three day competition will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and will also include public demonstrations on the 23rd April. www.arbs.com.au

As announced in the recent NewsFlash: 20 Years On (18th Feb), the 2008 WorldSkills National Competition in Sydney also marks the 20th anniversary of the WorldSkills International Competition, hosted by Australia. The Competition was held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre where the Australian team, competing in only their third International Competition, achieved an amazing rank of 3rd place in the world.

A member of the 1988 Australian team, Peter Marsh, is now managing director at ISM Interiors in Tullamarine, Victoria, providing commercial interiors, furniture and joinery. He was one of 35 competitors, who contributed to achieving the 3rd place ranking. Twenty years later Peter recalls his experience as a cabinetmaking competitor at the International Competition in Sydney.

WorldSkills Australia has recently joined two virtual networks to further expose the organisation to a range of online age groups.

WSA is now a member of Facebook.com and is providing an official page for members, family and friends to join the community and connect online. The page will display pictures, discussion boards and allows its members to add their own input including feedback and photos. WorldSkills Australia aims to increase its profile among the younger demographic of students and apprentices, and will also join other WorldSkills International member countries, like New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, in the Facebook community. Login at www.facebook.com and search “WorldSkills Australia”.

Another new online network community is the Virtual Career Expo, an initiative of EOC Group, which provides virtual information booths of organisations and companies in various industries and education/employment sectors. The purpose of WorldSkills Australia’s virtual booth is to provide a first point of contact to browsers and to direct them to the official WSA website for more information. www.virtualcareersexpo.com/worldskills

With the new and improved logo (available here) the Try’a Trade program is set to take on a busy year in 2008 with a number of events confirmed. The year’s headlining date is 16th and 17th May where WorldSkills Australia, working with GTA Victoria, will host 15 skill categories in conjunction with the EOC Careers Expo and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

It is anticipated that additional events will be confirmed throughout the year as teachers, career advisers and regional contacts are increasingly recognising the value in exposing trades and skills to young Australians.

Click here to view the current list of confirmed dates.

Minister’s Award for Excellence – Employers of Apprentices

The Minister's Awards are held annually and recognise the valuable contribution employers in Australia make to providing quality training through Australian Apprenticeships.

The Awards are open to employers in metropolitan, rural and regional areas nationally who train Australian Apprentices. Winners will be presented with $5,000 cash, a certificate and a unique trophy at a national presentation ceremony.

The Ministers Awards for Excellence of Employers of Australian Apprentices application form is now available for download.

WorldSkills Exchange

Calling all employers:
Don’t miss your chance to join the global network!

WorldSkills International is providing the unique opportunity for your company to learn from other countries/regions and the expert skills of a WorldSkills Champion. 

How? Host a WorldSkills Champion in your workplace by joining the WorldSkills Champions Exchange program. WorldSkills guarantees a high quality WorldSkills Champion for the duration of the Exchange, while your company enjoys the benefits of becoming involved with a growing network of like-minded host Companies in the global skills market.

If you'd like to be a host employer for 6 - 18 months please contact Mikaeli.Costello@worldskills.org
For more information please visit: www.worldskillschampions.com 

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.

In 1986, The International Dermal Institute decided to do something about the serious lack of results-driven products on the market.

Dermalogica shocked the market by refusing to use artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, S.D. alcohol, lanolin or mineral oil – all of which were industry favourites due to their low cost, despite links to numerous skin problems that were well understood. They also went a step further, insisting that all Dermalogica skin care professionals had to meet the highest level of training and expertise, ensuring that consumers could get reliable consultations about their skin concerns without falling prey to the hype and faddism that dominates the skin care industry.

Dermalogica's commitment to professional skin care continues today with its no-nonsense packaging, emphasis on skin care education and dedication to formulating products that deliver results, not ridiculous claims.

Dermalogica is the skin care system researched and developed by The International Dermal Institute. Known worldwide as the "professionals' choice," and is founded on the belief that good skin care is not about pampering or luxury any more than brushing your teeth or washing your hair is!

Dermalogica Australia has sponsored WorldSkills Australia Beauty Care category at a regional and national level over a number of years and this year will be the major sponsor of that category at the 2008 WorldSkills Australia National Competition.

The deadline for regional results and projects has passed and if there are any regions that still haven’t sent the information through to the National Office, please do so immediately.

National Office
(03) 9249 1000
Level 3, 92-94 Elizabeth Street,
Melbourne, VIC, 3000