Queenslanders bring home trade skill glory

The Queensland team that travelled to the 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships have returned home with heavier luggage, bringing home 23 medals to the Sunshine State in trade categories ranging from Baking to Bricklaying, and everything in between. A staggering 19 of these medallists are TAFE Queensland students and apprentices, hailing from all corners of the state.

The event, held every two years in a new host city each time, saw more than 450 competitors across 55 trade skills and attracted more than 25,000 spectators across the three days of competition held predominantly at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Among Queensland’s medallists was Dylan Redman, Gold Coast electrical apprentice, who brought home Gold in the Electrical Installation category. Dylan was ecstatic to have an opportunity to represent Australia in the upcoming International Competition in Lyon, France in 2024.

Dylan Redman

“Nothing can compare to winning the gold medal. The nerves, the butterflies, the anxiety – all built up to that one moment,” Dylan said.

“It really was a dream come true,” he said.

Meanwhile, baking apprentice at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus Oli Parkinson also brought home Gold for the Retail Baking – Bread category. TAFE Queensland Brisbane General Manager Brent Kinnane said Oli was an inspiration to fellow students.

Oli Parkinson

 

“Oli is an inspiring recipient of the WorldSkills National Gold Medal,” Mr Kinnane said.

“We take immense pride in seeing students use their skills and professional attitude to master their craft. Oli has a bright future ahead, and we wish them all the best,” he said.

Jack Pelleri, engineering apprentice from the TAFE Queensland Burdekin campus, won the Silver medal in the Fitting category in his second National Championships appearance.

Jack Pelleri

“The competition went really well for me, I had more experience behind me this time around and I knew what I had to work on and where I had to put most of my time,” Mr Pelleri said.

“When my name was called out for the silver medal I was so happy, it was unreal,” he said.

With 16 more TAFE Queensland medallists from all around the state and across various categories, follow this link to see the medallists listed and pictured in action.