Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

Calgary here we come.

For the 26 Team Australia Skillaroos, their experts, their extensive support network -
and for indeed all involved with WorldSkills Australia, we are about to enter a very special period. In less than a month 26 of this country’s finest and most skilled ambassadors will represent themselves and their country on the world stage at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada. Their toolboxes have left Australia and the last stages of training and preparation are being completed and I am sure they are all echoing
the thoughts of our bricklaying Skillaroo, Nigel Croke, who, when I
caught up with him last week at the CPSISC Conference in
Sydney said - “bring it on”.

Workforce Participation Minister, the Hon. Mark Arbib will officially farewell the team on the 26th of August and I know you all will be wishing them well in their quest to bring home gold to Australia. I would urge you all to send in your messages of support for the team just as I urge you all to follow the teams progress in Calgary via the WorldSkills Australia website. Not everyone has the opportunity to be at the International competition but hopefully, via our website we can bring the action to you.

While the Skillaroos are in Calgary, the 2009 regional competitions continue around Australia. What better way to encourage young Australians to participate in the WorldSkills Australia regional competitions than to highlight the achievements of the 2009 Skillaroos.

The regional competitions is where it all began for each and everyone of these Australian representatives and who knows, maybe someone who is now competing at this regional level will go to also represent their country and even be crowned the best in the world. One thing is certain however. Each and every competitor in the regional competitions has taken up the challenge of skills excellence and each and every one of them will return to their workplace or their place of training where their skills will encourage others. Every competitor - at the regional, national and international level all deserves recognition for their dedication and pursuit of a higher level of skill excellence.

You are all the future upon which the productivity of Australia is based.

It has long been a tradition of Australians to show their support of athletes and other sports identities representing Australia to be sent "Hero Grams" or letters of support. 

Whilst we are in Canada, parents, supporters, experts and the Skillaroos meet each morning and in a long held tradition, our CEO reads emails and letters of support that have been received, which he then gives to the relevant competitor.

This is a fantastic boost to the team, going into their competition day with the knowledge that many people, although they cannot be in Canada personally supporting the team, are thinking of them and wishing them well.

Send a Hero Gram now!

Something big is coming to the WorldSkills Australia website on the 26th August.
Stay tuned. Visit www.worldskills.org.au 

Daily video and photo updates from Calgary

Don’t be the last to see or hear the WorldSkills news aborad. Each day, the WorldSkills Australia website will be updated with footage of each of the 26 Skillaroos in action, daily blogs from the Team, Supporters and CEO. Photos will also be uploaded daily, capturing our Skillaroos take on the world, vying for Gold in their trade or skill. www.worldskills.org.au is where it’s at for all Competition updates and results.

Looking for somewhere to go for a holiday in January? Come to the Illawarra! Visit the beautiful beaches, restaurants, cafés, scout camp and more. Download and complete the Expression of Interest Form from the WorldSkills Australia Website and return to Michelle Hardy at the National Office mhardy@worldskills.org.au or fax (03) 9249 1033.

WorldSkills Australia’s biggest Try’aTrade to date – be a part of it at the 2010 Australian Scout Jamboree. 12,000 scouts will converge on Cataract Scout Park, Cataract NSW (situated on the Illawarra/Sydney boarder) from 4th to 14th January 2010.

Download and complete the Expression of Interest Form.

Seventeen WorldSkills Australia national competitors were awarded
BBM Limited (formally Big Brother Movement) scholarships for their
performance at the 2008 National Competition. The seventeen BBM
recipients were presented to family, friends, teachers and employers
at a function on Friday 12th June at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney Airport to
congratulate and farewell the team bound for a trip of a lifetime to the
UK the following day.

The team travelled to the UK to undertake a two week corporate leadership development program with the Mission Performance Leadership Company. The course was specially designed for the WorldSkills/BBM team and was aimed at testing their mental and physical boundaries in various tasks and situations. Since completing the Leadership course, many recipients have now embarked on the second aspect of their scholarship -  travel and work experience within the UK to help enhance their career prospects.

Previous BBM scholarship recipient (2002) Nathan Gore-Brown has been instrumental in helping members of this year’s team to find accommodation and employment with the company that he now works for, Aston Martin Motor Company. Thank you Nathan for again helping BBM scholarship recipients gain valuable life and work experience.

When the BBM Scholarship participants were asked about their UK experience, the feedback we received was overwhelming. Below is a variety of these responses:

What was your most meaningful experience you gained from your BBM Scholarship?
To be truthful there are four experiences. The sinking ship simulator was so amazing, the canoeing was spectacular, the sailing was terrific but rock climbing really capped it off. I would pick the sinking ship simulator as the best of the two weeks; it really brought the whole team together. It taught us to depend on each other, how to lead under hard certain circumstances and how to be a team player.
Andrew Ringsgwandl, Automotive Mechanics

What was the highlight of the Mission Performance Leadership Course?
The sinking ship simulator. It was very scary seeing this big machine, walking around it to get our gear and training. Then climbing around inside it in chest high water while it’s rocking from side to side, dark and smokey - It’s just so different to anything I’ve done before.
Aaron Talbot, PC Support

How do you see your career benefiting from your BBM Scholarship?
The trip has highlighted my strengths and weaknesses. I now know how to embrace my strengths and manage my weaknesses. It has reiterated that I do have the skills, knowledge and experience to have success in my industry and BBM has given me the confidence and tools to chase success.
Anna Moran, Graphic Arts-Pre Press

Why would you recommend the BBM Scholarship to future candidates?
The BBM Scholarship is a life-transforming opportunity - it is hard to believe that in such a short time I have had such a variety of experiences. I would recommend the BBM Scholarship to future candidates because I had so much fun and I think almost anyone would.
Rolf Barfoed, Cabinetmaking

Comments you would like to express to the Board of Directors of BBM Limited and WorldSkills Australia regarding your 2009 BBM Scholarship experience?
I have had the best time of my life. If I had the opportunity to do it again I would in a heartbeat.
The rewarding experience will stay with me forever and I am sincerely grateful for the financial backing from BBM Limited and all the support from WorldSkills Australia. Thank You!
Aaron Talbot, PC Support

Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity, for forcing me out of my comfort zone, and for helping me kick-start my career in such an exciting way!
Amanda Allen, IT Software Applications

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.

For more information and to download an application form please visit the AOF website.

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 to Judging for the National Competition. If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the following link, complete the appropriate form and return to the National Office- info@worldskillsorg.au or fax 03 9249 1033

Download an Expressions of Interest form.

Due to the WorldSkills International Competition in Calgary, Canada, there will be no SkillNews for the month of September. SkillNews will be replaced with regular NewsFlashes with all the latest news, updates and results from Calgary, Canada. SkillNews will resume the week commencing 19 October and will continue to be released later for the months November and December.

Supported By PAREXDAVCO (Australia)

WorldSkills Australia Fundraising with lots of prizes

When - Saturday 8 August 7.30PM
Where - Dooleys Silverwater (Corner of Silverwater Rd & Clyde St, Silverwater)
Supper provided, Refreshments available

Assisting is Mr. Peter Steinweiss who is the Australian Wall and Floor Tiling representative at the WorldSkills International Competition, to be held in Calgary, Canada from 1-7 September 2009. Peter has been selected after having success at the Regional, State and National Wall and Floor Tiling competitions and is to compete against 18 other young International Wall and Floor Tiler’s.

Not your average question and answer trivia night, Teams competing in a cut throat comedy showdown. “Shower Karaoke”, “The Taxi Game” and the “Animal Buzzer” will have you at the
edge of your seat.

We need your help!
Support the ATC and PAREX DAVCO to enable Peter to go for “GOLD”. Attend the Trivia Evening, or donate a prize or a direct donation to Peter Steinweiss.

Tables (the teams) are sold prior to the evening
8 per table $40.00 per head
Contact Pres. Barry Bulmer 0411584871 barry@mosaicco.com.au or
Dept. Pres. Don Muir 0414520486

From the first WorldSkills International Competition in Sydney 1988, PAREXDAVCO (Australia) have been proud supporters of WorldSkills Australia.

Australian Tile Council N.S.W Division Incorporated (ABN) 36 227 676 919
ParexDavco (Australia) Pty Limited PMB 50 Wetherill Park NSW 2164
Info@atcnsw.com.au    www.atcnsw.com.au

Peter Steinweiss receiving official Australian Uniform from
Senator The Hon. Mark Arbib, Minister For Employment Participation;
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister For Government Service Delivery

Pivot Point

Pivot Point is a global organisation committed to the development and delivery
of innovative, high-quality education systems for the hair and beauty industry.
These systems empower individuals to maximise their potential and elevate
the professionalism of the industry.  Pivot Point pledge to continually set the
standards of education excellence worldwide.

With the new century in full gear and new technology such as DVD and CD-ROM, Pivot Point
believes that students will enjoy a great educational experience with higher retention and better understanding of the concepts and techniques presented.  Pivot Point looks forward to a future
filled with educational advancement and success.  As the company continues to grow, Pivot Point
will keep exploring new territories and new ways to bring superior education to the exciting,
ever-changing hair and beauty industry.

Pivot Point is a long time sponsor of WorldSkills Australia providing support for our Regional,
National and International Competitions. Pivot Point is proudly supporting the current Australian International Competitor in the Ladies/Mens Hairdressing competition - Megan Kuhn at the 40th WorldSkills Competition Calgary, Canada 2009.

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.