Mark Callaghan’s Welcome

Dear WorldSkills Supporter,

It is hard to believe that it is nearly eight weeks since the Closing Ceremony of the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada. I am sure that you all enjoyed following the action via the WorldSkills Australia website.

Not a day goes by when I do not think back to the four days of competition where we saw 26 proud young Australians showcase their skills, and indeed the skills of this country, against the rest of the world. The results achieved by the 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos exceeded expectations - 12 medalists and 5th in the world.

Results like these do not happen by chance and each and every one of the Skillaroos should be applauded for showing tremendous dedication and commitment throughout the lead up to and during the International Competition. They all are worthy representatives of Australia.

Of course, there is also a huge support network behind any team and the support that the 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos had was second to none and allowed them all to perform at their best in Canada - support such as their Experts, local trainers, mentors, employers, family and friends as well as the many industry sponsors and our Government partners.

The results from Canada should be celebrated by all Australians and each of the 26 Skillaroos should receive the recognition that they deserve. It was fitting then that on Wednesday the 28th of October, the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard hosted a Welcome Home Reception for the Skillaroos at Old Parliament House in Canberra. To see them all eight weeks on, in the relatively relaxed environment of Old Parliament House, being presented with certificates from the Deputy Prime Minister and mixing with other Ministers made me reflect on the tremendous journey that they have all been on. We witnessed their incredible professional and technical skills in Canada, and here we were able to marvel at the development of their life skills. Without doubt, these Skillaroos are the future leaders of business and industry.

While it is important to celebrate Team Australia’s success, it is equally important to look forward to the 41st WorldSkills Competition in London in 2011. While it is 2 years away, we need to be mindful that competition at the international level is fierce and if we are to continue to improve, we need to continue to support and nurture our young skill champions. This, of course, starts with the regional competitions. Over 4,000 young Australians will compete in regional competitions this year and hopefully they will all have been inspired by the 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos - just as I continue to be.

WorldSkills International Competition 1-7 September 2009

Congratulations to Team Australia, the Skillaroos on their fantastic achievements.

For more on the Skillaroos success at the WorldSkills International Competition visit www.worldskills.org.au for video footage of our champions in action, photos and footage from the Presentation Ceremony plus loads more!

28 October 2009

Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard welcomed home Australia’s best and brightest young tradies and apprentices following their medal-winning performance at the 40th International WorldSkills Competition held in Canada last month.

Speaking at the reception in Canberra Minister Gillard congratulated members of the Australian WorldSkills Team, the Skillaroos, who brought home a hoard of medals from the International Competition which is known as the ‘Olympics of Economic Skills’.

“The Australian Government is exceptionally proud to be associated with such a powerful demonstration of Australia’s skills excellence,” Ms Gillard said. “Every team member represents the pinnacle of achievement for the vocational education and training sector in Australia and are wonderful role models to other young Australians.”

The Hon. Julia Gillard and The Hon. Senator Mark Arbib eagerly met with members of the successful squad, praising their remarkable achievements and sharing in the celebrations.

DPM Julia Gillard's Speech at the Welcome Home Reception for the 09 Skillaroos.

The first ever National TAFE Day was celebrated on Wednesday 28 October. At a reception held at Parliament House and hosted by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard delivered the National TAFE Day inaugural address. As well as using the occasion to acknowledge the achievements of TAFE and the important role that TAFE plays within Australia, both the Deputy Prime Minister and the Federal President of the AEU made mention of the success of the 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos.

Around the country, TAFE continues to be a major supporter of WorldSkills Australia and the high quality of training that is available via TAFE is evidenced by the fact that 24 of the 26 Skillaroos who competed in Canada were trained at TAFE.

DPM refers to WorldSkills Australia and Skillaroos in her address at the
National TAFE Day Reception in Canberra.

Many people gave their time to assist in various capacities at the WorldSkills International Competition in Calgary, Canada. WorldSkills Australia appreciates the dedication and willingness of the many people who volunteered their time to support the Skillaroos in their plight for skills excellence in Calgary.

WorldSkills Australia would like to thank:

• WorldSkills International CEO, David Hoey
  
  
• The WorldSkills Australia Skillaroos Supporters, for their commitment to the Skillaroos. A special mention must be made to Ros Arnold for spending hours painting the indigenous inspired  ‘clappers’ used to cheer on our Skillaroos.
  
  
• Kevin Campbell and Jeremy Allen from Polycom Canada - for making possible the first ever live cross between a WS International Competition and any WSI Member Country. The live cross took place between WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan and TAFE NSW SWSI Institute Director Barry Peddle who spoke live and direct from the International Competition Site in Calgary directly to the TAFE Directors Conference and Hervey Bay TAFE Conference in Australia.
  
  This is a first ever for any WorldSkills Member Country, with Australia the first
  country to pioneer the ‘live cross’. 
  
  
• WorldSkills Australia Media Crew: Matthew Ryan (2007 Skillaroo, Web Design), Michael Kirkwood-Smith (2007 Skillaroo, IT/Software Applications) and Josh Krasnostein for volunteering their time to bring everyone at home all the action via the WorldSkills Australia website.
  
  
• Our Documentary Crew, Lucy Nash and Liam McKeown.

Thank you!

Brisbane is set to play host to the best young tradies and
apprentices from around Australia in May next year, as they
gather to compete in the WorldSkills Australia National Competition,
Brisbane 2010 which is supported by the Queensland Government.

Over 500 competitors aged between 16 and 23 will converge
on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 7-9,
to pit their skills in their chosen trade against the best talent from
30 Regional WorldSkills Competitions currently being held
around the country.

In total, 50 trade and skill categories will be contested at the National Competition, ranging from the traditional trades of bricklaying and plumbing, to the more contemporary skilled professions of web design and IT software applications.

Up for grabs for the top-placed competitors in each discipline is a coveted spot in the Australian WorldSkills Team, known as the Team Australia Skillaroos, earning a chance to bring home a gold medal from the 41st International WorldSkills Competition which will be held in London, 2011.

A crowd of 80,000 visitors, from forthcoming school graduates to prospective employers, are expected to attend the free public event which will include WorldSkills Australia interactive Try’aTrade where visitors can try in 30 skill categories. The competition will coincide with the 2010 Careers and Education Expo making the WorldSkills Australia National Competition Brisbane 2010 the biggest skills and careers expo in the southern hemisphere. Watch this space.

2010 WorldSkills Australia National Competition - Satellite Competitions

The WorldSkills Australia National Competition Brisbane 2010 will hold two satellite competitions- Refrigeration and Floristry. The Refrigeration Competition will be held amongst industry members, employers and enthusiasts at the ARBS Exhibition.

Floristry Competition
12th to 14th April 2010 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show held at the Sydney Showgrounds.

Refrigeration Competition
12th to 14th April 2010 at the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services Trade Exhibition (ARBS) held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

The Australian Overseas Foundation (AOF) Awards Presentation held on October 15th saw six extremely talented young Australians receive scholarships to travel, study and work overseas. AOF is committed to the education development and leadership potential of young Australians. AOF believes that industry skills gained through overseas work experience additionally develops independence, confidence and cultural awareness.

Following a rigorous selection process, winners of the Australian Overseas Foundation (AOF) scholarship have been announced for 2009. The winners are:

• Rachael Keiley (2009 Australian Apprentice of the Year)
• Joseph Atkinson
• Cody Gibb
• Patrick McMahon
• Tara Davis
• Gavin Press

Gavin Press, an Australian representative of the Team Australia, Skillaroos recently returned home from the WorldSkills International Competition in Calgary, Canada with a Medallion of Excellence in the category of Electrical Installations.

Tara Davis participated in the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in 2008, receiving a Silver Medal in the category of Cookery.

WorldSkills Australia would like to congratulate all winners and wish them well as they take up their scholarships in countries such as Denmark, UK, USA, France and Germany.

Be part of WorldSkills Australia’s biggest Try’aTrade to date - 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. An Expression of Interest Form can be found on the WorldSkills Australia Website.

For further details on this event please contact Michelle Hardy at the National Office on mhardy@worldskills.org.au or (03) 9249 1000.

Download and complete the Expression of Interest Form.

WorldSkills Australia would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all International Competition sponsors and supporters. A fantastic result which could only be made possible with your support.
We look forward to our continued association with all our sponsors.

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.