The Global Skills Challenge was a HIT!
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CAMARADERIE AND NATIONAL PRIDE SHINE AS 2024 GLOBAL SKILLS CHALLENGE CONCLUDES
The 2024 WorldSkills Australia Global Skills Challenge has concluded, with Australia’s Skillaroos putting in a strong performance that saw them awarded seven gold medals and finishing second in the overall medal tally.
138 competitors from 17 countries took part in the four-day event, which was designed to simulate the conditions of the International Competition and allow competitors, experts, and other support team members the opportunity to meet ahead of Lyon 2024.
29 skills were assessed, covering all categories that WorldSkills promotes, with events being held across several Melbourne TAFE campuses
Australia’s 32 Skillaroos competed, with 15 receiving medals for their outstanding efforts. The team’s performance put it second place in the overall medal tally, sitting just behind Chinese Tapei (16 medals)).
Ethan Everett, from Illawarra (NSW), was awarded Australia’s Best in Nation for his standout performance in Bricklaying as the highest overall score for Team Australia.
The medals were presented at a formal Closing Ceremony, which was attended by all competitors and their official delegations, senior Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Government representatives, WSA partners, and guest of honour, the Ambassador of France to Australia, Pierre-André Imbert.
Quotes attributable to WorldSkills Australia CEO, Trevor Schwenke
“Touring the event sites, the spirit of competition was only outmatched by the sense of camaraderie and collaboration between nations. Seeing officials and competitors mingling, discussing how they approach their skill back home is what it’s all about,” Mr Schwenke said.
“Our Skillaroos performed extremely well under competition conditions and showed why they were selected to represent Australia at the upcoming WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon. With so many receiving medals, we can’t wait to see how they do on the world stage.
“Australia has a truly world-class skills training sector, which produces a talented, passionate, and professional workforce. Our mission is to help support the sector to grow and show young people how far they can take their careers when they focus on skills excellence, and the Global Skills Challenge was an important – and successful – platform in achieving that.”
WorldSkills Australia thanks the Victorian Government and its partners for their support of the Global Skills Challenge.
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Celebrating the Success of the Welcome Ceremony!
The Welcome Ceremony held for the WorldSkills competitors in Australia exceeded all expectations, marking a memorable beginning to this global event. Participants from diverse backgrounds around the world came together, showcasing the spirit of unity and excellence.
The evening commenced with a mesmerising Didgeridoo performance by Ganga Girii, setting the tone for the event. Subsequently, insightful speeches were delivered by key figures including Trevor Schwenke, CEO of WorldSkills Australia, and Kevin Harris, Chair of WorldSkills Australia. Esteemed members of the WorldSkills Champions Trust, Rachel Crawford and Daniel McCabe, shared inspiring words, adding depth to the ceremony.
Xavier Csar, CEO of the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery, emphasised the importance of the Global Skills Challenge, underscoring it as the premier skills competition of the year in Australia. This recognition highlighted the magnitude of the event and its impact on the skill development landscape.
Amidst the festivities, both Australian and international competitors had the opportunity to network and forge meaningful connections over delectable Canapés, further enhancing the collaborative spirit of the occasion.
A sincere expression of gratitude is extended to Tafe Victoria, the 2024 Global Skills Challenge event partner, whose support was instrumental in making the entire event a resounding success. Additionally, appreciation is extended to the Team Australia partners and supporters of the Global Skills Challenge, whose contributions played a vital role in bringing the event to fruition.
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2024 Global Skills Challenge Competition
The 2024 Global Skills Challenge spanned a duration of 3 to 4 days, varying based on the specific skill set. Each competition featured a meticulously crafted competition pack, guiding competitors through their respective tasks. While some competitions revolved around a single, overarching task, others presented fresh challenges daily. The event pulsated with vibrant competitive spirit, yet amidst the intensity, it was heartening to witness the bonds of unity and camaraderie forming between participants hailing from diverse corners of the globe.
Construction & Building
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 12 | Wall and Floor Tiling | GOLD | TENG-ZHI | XU | Chinese Taipei |
| 12 | Wall and Floor Tiling | SILVER | Jacob | Dixon | Australia |
| 15 | Plumbing & Heating | GOLD | CHEN-HSUN | LU | Chinese Taipei |
| 15 | Plumbing & Heating | SILVER | Yuki | Ishii | Japan |
| 18 | Electrical Installations | GOLD | ZHIJUN | ZHAO | China |
| 18 | Electrical Installations | SILVER | CHIH-LUNG | LING | Chinese Taipei |
| 18 | Electrical Installations | BRONZE | Tsz Chung | LO | Hong Kong, China |
| 20 | Bricklaying | GOLD | Ethan | Everett | Australia |
| 20 | Bricklaying | SILVER | Simon | REY | France |
| 20 | Bricklaying | BRONZE | YAN-TING | LIU | Chinese Taipei |
| 22 | Painting and Decorating | GOLD | CHUN-CHEN | LEE | Chinese Taipei |
| 22 | Painting and Decorating | SILVER | Khadija | Abdulkareem Alhammadi | United Arab Emirates |
| 24 | Cabinetmaking | GOLD | YUN-RONG | TSAI | Chinese Taipei |
| 24 | Cabinetmaking | SILVER | Lewis | Italiano | Australia |
| 26 | Carpentry | GOLD | Trey | McAuley | Australia |
Information & Communications Technology
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 54 | Cyber Security | GOLD | Mark | Drinan | Ireland |
| 54 | Cyber Security | GOLD | Luke | Woodside | Ireland |
| 54 | Cyber Security | SILVER | Jabriel | Seah | Singapore |
| 54 | Cyber Security | SILVER | Chung Wai | Fong | Singapore |
| 54 | Cyber Security | BRONZE | Chiu Ngai | MAN | Hong Kong, China |
| 54 | Cyber Security | BRONZE | Chun Kit | KWAN | Hong Kong, China |
Social & Personal Services
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 29 | Hairdressing | GOLD | Bruna | Pimentel Martins | Brazil |
| 29 | Hairdressing | SILVER | Fei | Hong Tian | China |
| 29 | Hairdressing | SILVER | Hannah | Gerristen | Australia |
| 30 | Beauty Therapy | GOLD | Jasmine | Cecchini | Australia |
| 30 | Beauty Therapy | SILVER | TING-HSIANG | LIN | Chinese Taipei |
| 30 | Beauty Therapy | BRONZE | Jimin | Park | Korea |
| 34 | Cooking | GOLD | CHEN-RUEI | LIU | Chinese Taipei |
| 34 | Cooking | SILVER | Sheung | WONG | Hong Kong, China |
| 34 | Cooking | BRONZE | Abbey | Kuhnell | Australia |
| 35 | Restaurant Service | GOLD | Selina | Sapii | Singapore |
| 35 | Restaurant Service | SILVER | Elliana | McRae | Australia |
| 35 | Restaurant Service | BRONZE | Pâmela | Fernandes de Matos | Brazil |
| 41 | Health and Social Care | GOLD | HSIN-YI | LAI | Chinese Taipei |
| 41 | Health and Social Care | SILVER | Glenda | Lam | Singapore |
| 47 | Bakery | GOLD | YEH | YEH | Chinese Taipei |
| 47 | Bakery | SILVER | Nodoka | Takizawa | Japan |
| 47 | Bakery | SILVER | Victor | Rosseto Duarte Dantas | Brazil |
Creative Arts & Fashion
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 27 | Jewellery | GOLD | Keonyeong | Kim | Korea |
| 27 | Jewellery | GOLD | Yupeng | Zhang | China |
| 27 | Jewellery | BRONZE | Taishi | Fukushima | Japan |
| 28 | Floristry | GOLD | Manuel | Bender | Austria |
| 28 | Floristry | SILVER | Maria | Olivia Fronza Block | Brazil |
| 28 | Floristry | BRONZE | Zhaoheng | Jiang | China |
| 31 | Fashion Technology | GOLD | CHING | SUN | Chinese Taipei |
| 31 | Fashion Technology | SILVER | Miriam | Haider | Austria |
| 40 | Graphic Design Technology | GOLD | JIAN-KAI | LIAO | Chinese Taipei |
| 40 | Graphic Design Technology | SILVER | Joanne | Li | Singapore |
| 40 | Graphic Design Technology | BRONZE | Chaehwan | Kim | Korea |
| 50 | 3D Digital Game Art | GOLD | Yasmin | George | United Kingdom |
| 50 | 3D Digital Game Art | SILVER | Benny | Cheung Ho Yin | Hong Kong, China |
| 50 | 3D Digital Game Art | BRONZE | I-HSUAN | TSAI | Chinese Taipei |
Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 01 | Industrial Mechanics | GOLD | Michael | Bowen | Australia |
| 04 | Mechatronics | GOLD | Magnus | Anderson | Australia |
| 04 | Mechatronics | GOLD | Will | Vestergaard | Australia |
| 10 | Welding | GOLD | Zehong | Hu | China |
| 10 | Welding | SILVER | Wyatt | Hansen | United States of America |
| 10 | Welding | BRONZE | HUNG-HSUN | HUANG | Chinese Taipei |
| 10 | Welding | Medallion For Excellence | Maarten | De Boey | Belgium |
| 42 | Construction Metal Work | GOLD | Feng | Zhou | China |
| 48 | Industry 4.0 | GOLD | Disha | Anchan | Australia |
| 48 | Industry 4.0 | GOLD | Randy | Gunawan | Australia |
| 48 | Industry 4.0 | SILVER | Hayate | Uchiyama | Japan |
| 48 | Industry 4.0 | SILVER | Shunki | Nitta | Japan |
| 57 | Additive Manufacturing | GOLD | Gervase | Voss | Australia |
Transport & Logistics
| Skill Number | Skill Name | Medal | First Name | Last Name | Member Name |
| 33 | Automobile Technology | GOLD | Shaohui | Yang | China |
| 33 | Automobile Technology | SILVER | CHEN-AN | WU | Chinese Taipei |
| 33 | Automobile Technology | BRONZE | Ross | Colquhoun | Australia |
| 49 | Heavy Vehicle Technology | GOLD | YAN | WENG | China |
| 49 | Heavy Vehicle Technology | SILVER | Thomas | Bevan | Australia |
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A Celebratory Finale!
The Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Global Skills Challenge, epitomised the essence of pride and camaraderie. Competitors from diverse corners of the world, rallying in support of one another, painted a heartwarming picture of unity.
As attendees streamed in, they were met with the infectious enthusiasm of the Skillaroos, whose spirited welcome set a joyous tone for the evening. Each Skillaroo also proudly received their official unique Team Australia badges, a symbol of their participation and dedication.
A notable highlight of the ceremony was the esteemed presence of Pierre-Andre Imbert, Ambassador of France to Australia, whose excitement for the journey ahead to Lyon resonated throughout the hall. Pierre-Andre presented the Best in Nation awards upon deserving recipients from each country, further reinforcing the spirit of global skills excellence. Australia's Best In Nation was Ethan Everett, congratulations!
The event was graced with inspiring addresses from prominent figures including Xavier Csar, CEO of the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery, Laura Angus, Executive Director of the National Careers Institute, Trevor Schwenke, CEO of WorldSkills Australia, Kevin Harris, Chair of the Board at WorldSkills Australia, and Dr. Mamta Chauhan, Group Manager of Skills Recognition General Occupations at VETASSESS.
Amidst a chorus of cheers and applause, award winners stepped forward to claim their certificates, proudly showcasing their national flags. The palpable sense of solidarity as nations rallied behind their teams was truly uplifting.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to VETASSESS for graciously co-hosting this memorable Closing Ceremony. We would also like to thank TAFE Victoria, our host venues, volunteers, supporters and Team Australia partners who made this event a resounding success.
In every facet, the event was an unequivocal triumph, leaving us eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this global journey in Lyon, France.
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See more from the 2024 Global Skills Challenge here
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Help the Skillaroos Represent Australia
Throughout this week, WorldSkills Australia, in collaboration with TAFE NSW, has been coordinating the Regional Competitions for the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning category at the ARBS exhibition in Sydney.
The presence of familiar faces added to the excitement of the event, with notable figures such as Trevor Schwenke, the CEO of WorldSkills Australia, Adam Lucas, WorldSkills Australia TAFE NSW State Manager, as well as Bailey Loenneker, the talented Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Skillaroo, and his Expert, Carl Balke, gracing the occasion. We also had the pleasure of an awards presentation at the ARBS Exhibition, including awards being presented by Elizabeth Paparo, Marketing Manager at Beijer Ref Group, Australia (Kirby).
The event has proven to be a resounding success on all fronts, showcasing the dedication and skill of participants while fostering a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and achievement.
Photo credit: Adam Lucas, TAFE NSW.
Carl had the honour of receiving the ARBS industry award "Hall of Fame" 2024 for outstanding services, contribution and commitment to the air conditioning, refrigeration and building services sector. He was nominated by our industry association RACCA. Congratulations Carl!
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Applications for the Global Footprints Scholarships are now OPEN for 18-25 year-olds in VET careers in agriculture, trades and horticulture.
Applying is easy – the opportunity is life-changing!
Applicants just answer the following 5 questions for a chance to win an $9,000 scholarship to travel overseas for work experience:
- A Global Footprints Scholarship gives you global experience in your industry. Why do you want this Scholarship and what do you hope to get out of it?
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Find out more about how to apply here: https://www.globalfootprints.org.au/howdoiapply
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 JUNE at 11:59pm Sydney time.
Please share this opportunity through your channels. There are copy, pictures, posters and social posts on our website for you to use: www.globalfootprints.org.au/info-kit
Nominations are now open for the
2024 Australian Training Awards!
Are you, or do you know, an organisation or individual who deserves to be recognised for their exceptional work, excellence or innovation in Australia's critical vocational education and training (VET) and skills sector?
Nominations for the 2024 Australian Training Awards direct entry categories are now open!
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Nominations for the 2024 Australian Training Awards direct entry categories close at 11:59pm 31 May 2024. Apply now or help spread the word by forwarding this email to an outstanding individual or organisation that you know.
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WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition Professional Learning Series
Online
VDC Conference - From Competence to Excellence - Strive to Inspire
Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
15-16 August 2024
WorldSkills Conference 2024
WorldSkills Conference 2024 will take place from 11 to 12 September alongside the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.
2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships
Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre
12-14 June 2025
Proud Partners - 2024 Regional Competitions
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