A 32 strong team of Aussie apprentices did the Australian construction industry proud at the international WorldSkills competition this year, with the three West Australian construction apprentices each receiving a medallion of excellence. The WorldSkills international championships, which have been running since 1981, give tradies at the beginning of their career the chance to pit their skills against apprentices from other countries and showcase their abilities across vocational, technological and service-oriented careers.
What is WorldSkills?
WorldSkills is an international championship across 63 different skills and trades, with regional, national and international stages. In 2024, Australia took 32 apprentices, known as Skillaroos, including six apprentices from WA, to the final round, a four day competition in Lyon, France. The program is designed to open up new pathways and opportunities for our trades, as well as promoting skills excellence across Australia. More than 500 competitions are held in 34 regions across Australia, to whittle the Skillaroo team down to the very best.
Why is WorldSkills important for construction apprentices?
“The opportunities in the industry are endless,” explains CTF Skills Development Advisor, Liam Cochran, who mentored and accompanied WA Skillaroo, Jacob Dixon, to compete as the Wall and Floor Tiling apprentice for Australia. “We’ve had competitors before where the industry companies take them on as reps. He’s made a lot of networks and made a good name for himself.”
Joining Jacob in Lyon were two other construction apprentices from WA, Antoinette Jackson, who competed in the painting and decorating competition, and cabinetmaker Lewis Italiano, who also both reached the top 10 in their chosen fields.
What does the competition involve?
The competition is no easy ride, with competitors having to fight it out regionally, then nationally, before hitting the finals in a four day competition that tests their skills to the limit. For Wall and Floor Tiling, the competitors went in ‘blind’ with no idea what the challenges would be, and then they had to lay walls, screed floors and tile a variety of patterns to make up a European-style bathroom.
Initial selection
“90% of the time TAFE lecturers discuss it with the apprentices that stand out and ask them if they’ve ever thought about going to WorldSkills,” says Liam. “You might get some employers who have had apprentices do it in the past, so you can go through that way. But there’s more to it than your skill. We look at whether someone is prepared to do the work; it’s about the person as a whole.”
To be eligible to compete in the regionals, you have to be taking or have recently completed studies towards a qualification, an apprenticeship or traineeship, in an Australian RTO (VET sector only). Those who make it through the regionals, will compete at the nationals, which take place over three days on a two-year cycle, taking place in alternate years to the regionals.
From here, the talented Skillaroos Skills Squad emerges.
Intense training
“We were training 20 hours a week, on top of Jacob’s day job,” Liam continues. “He would do three to four hours after work on Thursday and then all day Friday and Saturday.
“When the competitors train it’s on their own time - they might take time off to do it - so CTF helped out with a grant for the three WA construction competitors to make sure they were not out of pocket. When you think these kids are taking time off, not earning money and having to get by on an apprentice’s wage, it’s great for CTF to be involved.”
How did Australia’s team get on?
The Skillaroos 2024 did fantastically with Australia 14th out of 65 countries overall, which, considering the size of the team, is a phenomenal achievement.
Recognition
All three WA construction apprentices, Jacob Dixon, Lewis Italiano and Antoinette Jackson, received a medallion of excellence, which put them in the top 1% of their cohort.
“It’s not a participation medal,” Liam says. “They all finished in the top ten. To win that, that’s really good. We’re very proud of all of them.”
Pride aside, the recognition should open doors.
“My goal is to be able to gain more exposure and experience in the different fields in my trade and connect with others in my trade from around the world,” says Cabinet Making apprentice Lewis Italiano, when asked about his reason for competing in the WorldSkills Skillaroos.
“This is a super rare opportunity that I owe it to myself to make the most of,” added Jacob Dixon.
What’s next?
“Regional competitions will be happening this year, then the National competition in Brisbane next year,” Liam says. And the Australian team’s presence is growing. This year was the largest team of Skillaroos Australia has sent, with next year numbers expected to grow.
Trainees
And the trainees?
“They gained the opportunity to compete on the world stage against the best. They gained skills in higher level trade skills, they learnt to develop their skills in their vocation to compete against each other. They learnt media skills, incredible networking opportunities for their future careers.”
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