Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

Like most of Australia, for 15 days in August I was glued to the television watching Australia’s best athletes battle it out for gold, silver and bronze against the world’s best. All of a sudden I became an expert in many sports including some in which I knew very little about. What struck me throughout the competition were the stories of sacrifice, commitment and dedication of the athletes as they realised their dreams of representing their country and, in some cases, being crowned the best in the world.

Sport has always been filled with stories of role models – of someone for young Australians to look up to and to aspire to. In the case of the Olympics, I was taken by the story of the three members of the women’s basketball team (the Opals) who told of how they were lucky enough to have been a part of the Sydney Olympics as court attendants where their job was to wipe the sweat of the floor so players did not slip over - players such as their hero Lauren Jackson - and dreaming of somehow reaching the dizzy heights that she had reached. And here they were, eight years on, now playing alongside their hero.

Just as in the sporting arena, it is important for young Australians who are embarking on their career journey to have role models to whom they can aspire. WorldSkills Australia provides the perfect skills ambassadors who can be held up as genuine role models for those contemplating their future in a trade or skill based career. At the recent 2008 WorldSkills Australia National competition, many of the 2007 Skillaroos were present as judges or assisting in other capacities. In addition, other volunteers assisted who competed some 20 years ago. All of them, through their own success, continue to inspire young Australians to be the best.

Following the National competition we are now in the process of selecting the team which will represent Australia at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Canada in 2009 and which will try and improve on our current 5th place ranking. Once selected, this new team of Skillaroos will have the opportunity to realise their dreams and represent their country. And who knows, maybe someone who visited the National competition at Darling Harbour or who visits the competition in Calgary and witnesses the tremendous skills on display will be inspired by their efforts to follow their own dreams and to become the ‘best of the best’.

Launch of the 2009 Skillaroos

Whilst the selection of the 2009 Skillaroos is still underway, WorldSkills Australia is delighted to announce that the Skillaroos heading to Calgary will be officially announced on the 6th November 2008.

The Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable is designed to provide a forum for Australian Apprentices to inform government about issues affecting their training and careers. This is the only forum that gives a voice specifically to Australian Apprentices as key users of the national training system.

2007 Skillaroos- Shareena Sloan and Stuart Aisbett are actively involved in the 2008 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable. Shareena represented Australia in the Painting and Decorating category receiving a Medallion of Excellence and Stuart received a Silver Medal in Vehicle Painting.

The first Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable meeting for 2008 was held in Canberra from 2 to 4 June 2008. At this meeting members met to identify key issues of concern to Australian Apprentices. These issues were prioritised, a work plan was developed and working groups established to investigate research and report on their findings.

Five key issue areas were identified as follows:

1. Information and Communication
2. Commencement and Retention
3. Industrial and Workplace
4. Training and Learning
5. Future Focus

The 2008 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable members are now seeking the views of:

• Students/trainees/apprentices
  
• Registered Training Organisations/teachers/trainers/careers advisors
  
• Employers

This is in order to gather information to formulate findings which will be presented at the Minister’s Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) and to the Skills Symposium in Darwin in November 2008.

WorldSkills Australia encourages all eligible to complete the surveys to support the Roundtable members in their work and provide valuable feedback to the process.  The surveys have been designed to seek comment from key stakeholders in the Vocational Education and Training sector.

To gain access to the surveys please go to www.worldskills.org.au and click on the Roundtable link.

Please note that the surveys should be completed and returned by Wednesday 8th September in preparation for the 15th September meeting. 

2007 Skillaroo Success- Stuart Aisbett

Following his triumph at the International Competition in Shizuoka, Japan last year, Silver Medallist in the Vehicle Paining category Stuart Aisbett is experiencing great success.

WorldSkills Australia Vehicle Painting sponsor, Standox- DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) recently announced the appointment of Stuart to the role of Research Development/Demonstration/Technical Officer of Standox Products.

Standox (DPC) supported Stuart in the 2007 International Competition and more recently sponsored the Vehicle Painting category at the 2008 National Competition in Sydney. 

Representatives from Standox (DPC) saw the quality of Stuart’s work and asked him to apply for the job. Stuart has just completed one month of company training and has recently attended a Standox (DPC) conference in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

Standox (DPC) supported WorldSkills Australia Vehicle Painting competitors in 2007 and 2008.

Jane has considerable WorldSkills experience - she has been a competitor, Expert, Deputy Chief Expert and Chief Expert. Jane has been involved in the preparation of five International teams and in recent competitions has played a leadership and mentoring role within the expert team for her country.

Behind the scenes she has been instrumental in the development and delivery of high quality preparation, documentation and training/mentoring. Through working with other experts for WorldSkills and through her own career Jane has developed a strong and broad technical base across many sectors, good management skills and a very high commitment to quality and professionalism. Her initiative, teamwork, project management, communication, organising and management skills will be utilised in this important role for WSI.
 
Jane's apprenticeship was in the Printing Industry and she has continued her growth and development in this industry through Graphic Design, Publishing and in recent years has held the positions of Production Manager, Project and Quality Assurance Manager and most recently Pre-press Operations Manager. Jane has completed a number of short courses and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and has been recognised for high achievement along the way. While working full-time and volunteering for 18 years with WorldSkills, Jane has continued her study and is currently completing a Bachelor of Business (Degree).

WorldSkills Australia wishes Jane all the very best and every success in her new role as Technical Director of WorldSkills International.

Jane Stokie presented with a congratulatory gift made by Steve Bullman. L-R,
Automobile Technology Expert - Grant Petch, WSA CEO - Mark Callaghan,
WSI Technical Director -Jane Stokie and Joinery Expert - Steve Bullman.

WorldSkills Australia welcomes Natalie Inch to the team. Natalie has commenced a 12 month traineeship as Administration Assistant. Inner Eastern Group Training is Natalie’s training provider. Natalie has been working at WSA for 2 weeks already and is thoroughly enjoying the experience and is really excited to be part of the WSA team. Natalie grew up in New Zealand, before coming to Australia for a holiday. She has taken a real liking to Melbourne, resulting in her permanent residence for just over a year now. Welcome Natalie!

Natalie Inch- new Trainee Administration Assistant

I’ve been in TAFE for over twenty years now, having started my Teaching Career as a part time teacher at Singleton TAFE in the Hunter and where I first met Steve Hornery so many years ago.  I’ve been at the IT Section of Hornsby TAFE for almost eight years now, and I really do love it here. Over the years I’ve worked in TAFE’s Building and Construction Industry Curriculum Unit developing teaching resources. I’ve worked with the Human Resources Staff Training and Development unit on a Teacher Training Program called TALS, the “Teaching and Learning Strategies” Program.  That really was a fun program, and like my WorldSkills experience, was invigorating and inspiring.  The TALS program was aimed at Teachers wanting to take on new strategies that would invigorate their teaching, and empower their students with effective and practical learning strategies.  More recently I’ve worked for our Information Technology Directorate developing various Corporate IT Systems.  It’s been an enjoyable and inspirational ride, and as they say, ‘a change is as good as a holiday’.

Teaching can be a very demanding job, and as most teachers will agree, it can also be very rewarding.  There is not a more fulfilling moment than that moment when your students thank you for the contribution you’ve made to their lives as a teacher.  Or those moments at a graduation ceremony when your students come up and say “hey, you know all that stuff you taught us about databases….  Well I’m really glad we did that, because that’s what I’ve been doing at work…”

View the full article.

Wes is the composer of the song ‘Free’ that was used for the WSA marketing DVD.

He performed at the Farewell Function for the 2007 Skillaroos in Sydney last year and at the Presentation Ceremony for the National Competition in July this year. He is a fantastic performer  and a big supporter of WorldSkills Australia -we hope that everyone gets behind him.

Text Wes to 19 10 10
Phone 1902 555 566

ParexDavco is part of the international Parex Group, a subsidiary of the Materis Corporation. The Parex Group has 48 operations across the globe, with leading market positions in France, Argentina, USA, Australia, Spain and employs 2700 people. Their growth has been achieved by harnessing innovation and a passion for service. Parex Group’s core business is the manufacturing of premixed mortars for the building and construction industry. The areas of application are divided into three main segments:

• Façade products
• Tile setting and flooring materials
• Technical mortars

In the Asia Pacific region, they have manufacturing operations in Australia (regional HQ) Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China and the Philippines.

ParexDavco (Australia) Pty Ltd is the Australian market leader in the manufacture of tile adhesives, grouts, sealants, waterproofing, technical mortars and building products. A major supplier to the building and construction industries, ParexDavco markets the respected "Davco", "Ormonoid" and "Lanko" range of products.

Recently ParexDavco was awarded the best new product at the Full Frontal Tile and Stone Expo for its Dust Less Technology. ParexDavco brands are widely recognised as the best quality on the market, with products such as Ultraflex and Sanitized® Colorgrout. The Lanko range of floor Levellers have been used in many large commercial buildings including Auburn Hospital and Target stores.

WorldSkills Australia would like to sincerely like to thank ParexDavco for their support of the Wall and Floor Tiling category at the WorldSkills Australia 2008 National Competition.