WorldSkills Australia’s team of 26 Australian competitors is toasting a fantastic team effort in São Paulo, Brazil, during the 43rd WorldSkills Competition on 11-16 August.

The Skillaroos proved to be fierce competition for the other 62 countries in attendance, earning three silver and two bronze medals.  Additionally, ten of the Skillaroos received a Medallion of Excellence for receiving an overall score of 500 or above without medalling:

SILVER MEDAL

Name: Harlan Wilton

Category: Web Design

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute

Name: Joseph Pauley

Category: Industrial Mechanics Millwright

State: WA

Training Provider: Polytechnic West

Name: Jyothi Forman

Category: Jewellery

State: NSW

Training Provider: Melbourne Polytechnic

Sponsor: Melbourne Polytechnic

BRONZE MEDAL

Name: Dylan Di Martino

Category: Plumbing & Heating

State: VIC

Training Provider: Victoria University

Sponsor: Reece Plumbing

Name: Sam Spong

Category: Bricklaying

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE

Name: Adele Di Bella

Category: Pâtisserie & Confectionery

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute

Name: Beau Kupris

Category: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute

Sponsors: Heatcraft Australia & Danfoss

Name: Blair Watters

Category: Car Painting

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Name: Emma Hillier

Category: Fashion Technology

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute

Name: Hayley Parker

Category: Hairdressing

State: VIC

Training Provider: Gordon TAFE

Name: John Reminis

Category: Bakery

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

Name: Kallon McVicar

Category: Welding

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

Sponsor: Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA)

Name: Karl Davies

Category: Automobile Technology

State: VIC

Training Provider: Federation University

Name: Nicholas Roman

Category: Joinery

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute

Name: Samantha Johnson

Category: Restaurant Service

State: NSW

Training Provider: TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute

Sponsor: Didasko Learning Resources

As is tradition, each country at the competition announced their country’s Best in the Nation.  This year’s Australian winner was Joseph Pauley.

The excitement in the air at the Closing Ceremony was palpable as over 1,200 competitors representing 63 countries came together at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium to celebrate their victory after four days of competition.  The Skillaroos were all smiles as they cheered on their teammates and the new friends they have made throughout the competition.

The Skillaroos’ strong performance was the culmination of two years of intensive competition and one-on-one training. Their journey started with their medal-winning performance at the regional level in 2013, advancing them to the National Competition held in Perth last year. After being named the best in the country in their respective trades and skills, these talented individuals were selected to be part of the Skills Squad – a new concept first introduced in 2014 involving the ongoing training and evaluation of each member with the overarching goal of bringing the best team possible to the international competition.

After wowing the competition at the inaugural WorldSkills Oceania Competition in Hamilton, New Zealand, in April, WorldSkills Australia announced the names of the competitors that would represent their country at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Brazil.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan expressed his pride in the result of the Skillaroos’ hard work and dedication over the last two years.

“The Skillaroos are living proof that Australia is at the forefront of vocational education and training excellence,” says WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan.

“We are very proud of the hard work that these amazing young Australians have dedicated to their professional development the last two years.  They are excellent ambassadors for their respective industries, and we hope that their achievements serve to show other young people that vocational education and training pathways are viable first choice career options.”

Meanwhile, the next generation of apprentices, trainees and students are competing in WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions now, hoping to follow in the Skillaroos’ footsteps and represent their country at the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2017.  For more information, visit the WorldSkills Australia website: www.worldskills.org.au