WorldSkills Australia Applauds the 'Investing Wisely' Report

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

A report released today by the National Skills Policy Collaboration (NSPC) - comprising the Australian Industry Group, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Group Training Australia, Australian Education Union and Dusseldorp Skills Forum - recommends a new wave of training reform to take advantage of opportunities beyond the current economic crisis.

CEO of WorldSkills Australia Mark Callaghan has welcomed the report and applauds the work of contributing organisations. “I congratulate all involved in the report and welcome such findings as they further support what WorldSkills Australia has been doing by promoting skills excellence  for over 28 years”, Mark said. 

“Now more than ever, as a Nation we need to continue our efforts to achieve world-class standards and to promote the status of vocational education and training across the country,” said Mark

WorldSkills is Australia’s largest and most prestigious trade and skills competition, encouraging young people to rise to the challenge of skills excellence through stimulating competition.

By conducting skills competitions in Australia for the past for 28 years the organisation has motivated over 70,000 young Australians to participate in WSA programs and who have ultimately benefited from the competition process - along with their employers, trainers, industry and Australia as a whole.

If Australia is to meet the demands of the ‘new economy’ we must continue to invest in our young people and continue to ensure that ‘trade and skill based careers are seen as a viable first choice career option.

“As a nation, the WSA competition process allows us to benchmark our skills and to ensure that we have the skills and abilities to compete in a rapidly changing global marketplace. Competitions highlight those skill areas in which we are strong but also, more importantly perhaps, areas where we need to focus more attention,” Mr Callaghan said.

In September 2009 a team of 27 young Australians The Skillaroos will board a plane to defend Australia’s 5th world ranking at the 40th International WorldSkills Competition, in Calgary Canada. “An achievement we should be proud of as Australian’s and certainly an achievement we should all be celebrating so we may instil our own economic stimulus by inspiring young Australian’s to achieve their dreams.” Mark said.

Please direct all media enquiries to Josie D’Arino, National Marketing Manager,
WorldSkills Australia on 03 9249 1000 or 0421 274 961