Eight talented Chisholm students are ready to pit their skills against apprentices, trainees and students from across the country in Australia’s largest skills excellence event.
The WorldSkills Australia National Championships kicked off in Perth this week, but due to Covid19 travel restrictions, competitors will be able to compete in their events at satellite locations across the country during August and September.
Often referred to as the ‘Olympics’ for skills, the competition sees over 500 competitors, aged 17 to 22, showcase their talents, benchmark industry excellence and champion skills pathways across more than 50 trades and skills.
Students, apprentices and trainees will compete in events across construction and building technology, creative arts and fashion, information and communications technology, manufacturing and engineering technology, social and personal services, transport and logistics and VET Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS).
Chisholm students Bailey McKinnon (VETDSS Electrotechnology), Louis Bateson (VETDSS Carpentry), Dale Pryor (Open Carpentry), Justin Moore and David Wheeler (IT – Cybersecurity), Atdhe Ferati and Jamie McDonald (IT – Cloud Computing) and Raheela Kazmi (Patisserie) will compete for the chance to win gold, silver and bronze medals.
In each event, competitors complete challenging projects designed by industry and skills experts. They are then assessed for their knowledge, practical competence and employability skills against a set of strict criteria.
Chisholm Chief of Student Success and Support Jane McLennan said in order to qualify for WorldSkills, the students had performed exceptionally well in the regional competitions. “The training for the upcoming national event has been extensive, with students preparing for months with their mentors to perfect and hone their skills in preparation for the upcoming competition,” Ms McLennan said. “We are immensely proud of all our students who have qualified and we wish them luck in their events.”
Competitors who win gold in their categories go on to represent Australia internationally, winning a place in the Skillaroos team.
Dale Pryor, who is close to finishing the Certificate III in Carpentry (Apprenticeship), is competing in WorldSkills for the fourth time. “Through WorldSkills you do things you don’t normally do on site,” Dale says. “WorldSkills has given me a really unique set of skills that I can apply and adapt to my work and which gives me the opportunity to work in niche markets within my industry. I’ve learned so much and met many great people.”
Advanced Diploma of Cyber Security student Jamie McDonald says he was disappointed not to be able to travel to Perth, but excited to compete in the Cloud Computing competition remotely. “I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to compete,” Jamie says. “It means a lot to me to be able to take part and we are really hoping we can shine.”
