Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

It does not feel as though it has been nearly a month since we farewelled the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos at Doltone House in Sydney on the afternoon of the 27th of September.

Since then I have had the privilege of witnessing all that is good about the VET system in Australia – 28 talented young competitors, 27 dedicated experts and many passionate local trainers, employers, family and friends.

I hope that through the powers of the internet and social media, for those that were not able to be in London, you were able to stay up to date and also get a sense of what was happening in the lead up to and during the competition itself. If you haven’t had a chance to view footage please visit the WSA website where you will be able to witness all the action thanks to some very talented and skilled WSA staff members and volunteers.

I must admit to having spent a lot of time since London looking at vision on the website and it is easy to spend hours recounting all the action and experiencing all the emotions of the competition and events around the competition.

Finally, I would like to extend a thank you to everyone who have had some involvement with the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos. Everything that has been achieved by this group would not be possible without the tremendous support that we have been able to tap into. From governments, industry, employers, trainers, family, friends, WSA Board and National office staff to what I will unashamedly say was the best team of International Experts, Team Leaders and support staff on show in London.

Enjoy this edition of skillNews –
a true celebration of Australian Skills Excellence.

After an exhilarating lead up to the main event, four challenging days of competition and a closing ceremony sitting an audience of over 8000 supporters and spectators, the 41st WorldSkills International Competition has come to an official close.

Team Australia left the competition with an impressive collection of medals across a broad range of skills areasand WSA is pleased to report that even up against stronger competition, Australia’s exceptional skills standards have seen our nation maintaining a ranking in the world’s top ten.

Congratulations to the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos, you did an exceptional job and truly proved why you were chosen as Australian representatives. WorldSkills Australia hopes you enjoy this special London edition of the skillNews.

The official farewell function for the 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos was held at Doltone House in Sydney’s Pyrmont on September 28.

The function was a huge success, with attendees hearing some inspirational words from WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan, The Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government; Minister for the Arts and The Hon Adrian Piccoli MP, NSW Minister for Education.

The official proceedings came to a close with a light-hearted talkback segment between Mark Callaghan and 2009 Skillaroos and international medallists, Jessie-Lee Gladwell and Daniel Karanges.

• View the photos
• Watch the video: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

After almost 24 hours in transit, the Skillaroos stepped foot in Paris and were greeted with an unexpected and stunningly warm day. Shaking off the jetlag, the Skillaroos quickly freshened up and headed straight to the Paris subway, making their way to the Eiffel Tower.

• View the photos

Watch Mark Callaghan interviewing Mathew Hall on the Eurostar as the Skillaroos travel from Paris to London. Mathew offers up his thoughts on Paris and his insights as the team get one step closer to the 41st WorldSkills International Competition.

The 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos were extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to visit the beautiful French town of Villers-Bretonneux. It is here that the Skillaroos were able to step foot on the battlegrounds young Australians fought on during the First World War.

• View the photos
• Watch the footage of the day hosted by
  WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan.

During their short stay in France, the Skillaroos were given the chance to visit the Australian Embassy in Paris. Mr David A Ritchie, Ambassador to France, welcomed the Skillaroos to the city, congratulated them on their success so far and wished them luck for the competition, before taking the time to speak to the competitors individually.

• View the photos
• Watch the video

The Skillaroos visited Sheringham Primary School as part of the One School One Country Program.

Team Australia were greeted by the primary school students chanting 'Gday Mate' in their best Australian accents before participating in a question and answer session with the children.

• View the photos
• Watch the video

Team Australia were welcomed to London with a special visit to the Australian High Commission. The Skillaroos ate scones and sipped tea from cups decorated with a gold coat of arms before being treated to a special tour of the magnificent building by Ken Pascoe of the Australian High Commission.

• View the photos
• Watch the video

Mark Callaghan, WorldSkills Australia CEO, addressed the group before they entered the competition site by reading a letter from The Hon Julia Gillard, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, just before the anxious Skillaroos walked into the venue with their heads held high to face their first day of competition.

• Marks blog
• Video footage from day one
• Photos from day one

The crowds swarmed in on day two of competition, amongst the thousands of people who walked through the doors was Princess Anne, Princess Royal who came to witness skills excellence in action.

• Photos from day two

Mark explains skill categories in a series of videos:

• Painting & Decorating, IT Software, Restaurant Service, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
• Automotive Technology, Autobody Repair, Car Painting
  
• Web Design & Graphic Design
  
• MTC, Sheet Metal Technology, Industrial Control
  
• Jewellery
• Welding
  

Now passed the half way mark, it was fascinating to see just how much each of the competitors were able to achieve in only three days.

• Marks blog
• Video footage from day three
• Photos from day three

Sweat was dripping down the faces of many of the Skillaroos as they ran around their competition booths to complete the gruelling schedules they all faced and the Team Australia Supporters hurried between each of the categories to cheer the Skillaroos on as they completed their challenges.

• Video footage from day four
• Photos from day four
  

The official closing of the 41st WorldSkills International Competition was held at the 02 Arena in London. The event was an explosion of bright colours, entertainment and patriotic cheering, all played out to over 8000 spectators.

• Watch the video
• View the photos

Australia has secured it's ranking as the 7th best nation in the world, taking home 24 medals including, one gold, four silver, five bronze and fourteen Medallions of Excellence.

Congratulations 2011 Team Australia Skillaroos!

• See detailed results here.

Thank you to all of the Team Australia Supporters who made the journey to the 41st WorldSkills International Competition. It was fantastic to have so many people willing to lend a helping hand and offering support for our Skillaroos.

• View the photos

Being a not-for-profit organisation WorldSkills Australia relies heavily on the goodwill of our sponsors.

An enormous thank you to all of the WorldSkills Australia international sponsors, your support allowed us to take this incredible team to the 41st WorldSkills International Competition in London and to showcase Australia’s outstanding vocational training standards to the rest of the world.

The Skillaroos have been making several appearances in a number of media outlets since the international competition.

Click on the links below for articles on the following Skillaroos:

• Michael Ashton
• Ben Cooper
• Matthew Hall
• Kate Crocker
• Liam Janetski
• Ben Houghton
• Rhaman Donovan
• Ben Hooper
• Kye Szeniak

WorldSkills Australia would like thank our media partners News Limited and CareerOne for securing such brilliant coverage throughout the 41st WorldSkills International Competition in London.

WorldSkills Australia is seeking "Expressions of Interest" from people wishing to pursue the voluntary role as category judge at the 2012 National Competition.

We encourage interest from people equipped with the following essential criteria:

• Be a current active participant in 2011 regional competitions as a judge or convenor
• Have current trade / industry involvement
• Have knowledge of national industry standards and training packages
• High level communication skills

Please complete the Expression of Interest Form and return to WorldSkills Australia no later than the 23rd January 2012.

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: Simone Gioia (sgioia@worldskills.org.au) at the National Office.