Queenslanders selected to compete at national skills training championships

Young apprentices and students from across Queensland have been selected to represent their state at the WorldSkills National Championships in Melbourne this August, putting their trade skills to the test against the best and brightest Australia has to offer in their trade. The WorldSkills National Championships are the biggest trades and skills competition in the country, with more than 60 skills spanning 50 trades on display across the three days of competition.

Competitors will be travelling to the National Championships come from all over Queensland and across many trades, from hairdressing to sheet metal work, cyber security to healthcare services, and bricklaying to baking. Many of the competitors – qualifying for the Nationals by placing third or better at their regional competition – are TAFE Queensland students, with the largest training provider in the state boasting 50 out of the 65 Queensland representatives.

One such TAFE Queensland student is Taiesha Stacey, a 16 year old competitor in the VETis food and beverage category who hails from Toowoomba. Taiesha sees the WorldSkills competitions as a great way to expand her skills and experience while also enjoying some travel.

“I think its great opportunity to increase my skills, it will look good on my resume, I love the chance to travel and learn/experience more in the Hospitality field,” Ms Stacey said.

Taiesha referenced her teachers along the way as key mentors to her skills journey, “I am lucky as I have many including my school hospitality teacher, my school principal, and my TAFE Queensland teacher, Petra. They have inspired me through their skills and assistance to help me believe in myself, overcome my anxiety and achieve my goals.”

Her fellow Queensland team member Jayden Riley, 22 year old competitor in the welding category, agreed that mentors have had an important influence on his training journey on the Sunshine Coast.

“I’ve had many mentors, between tradesman that took me under their wing to teach me their skills, and of course my TAFE Queensland teachers, they have all gave me knowledge, motivation and resources to help me learn the skills that I take pride in today,” Jayden said.

Like many other competitors, Jayden is taking the Nationals very seriously and putting in extra training with his mentors, he even bought specific equipment to help him prepare at home, “I am planning to train at TAFE Queensland Nambour, where I did my trade training and also won the regional competition. I also went out and bought a welder to practice more at home,” he said.

Manager of WorldSkills Queensland Eric Davis has been involved in the WorldSkills competition for many years, having his first experience as a judge at a regional competition in 1990, and said over the years he had seen many, many students reap great benefits from participating in the competitions.

“The benefits for trainees and apprentices are endless - from further developing their skills to networking, forging new friendships and creating exciting new career opportunities.”

“The competition helps competitors to become more confident in themselves and gain greater understanding of their skill area and industry. Most importantly they bring this confidence and knowledge back to their workplace to benefit their employers, colleagues, and industry,” he said.

TAFE Queensland is proud to be represented heavily in the Queensland team for the 2023 WorldSkills National Championships, both in competitors in and judges. This representation is evidence of TAFE Queensland’s standing as the premier training provider in the Sunshine State.

The full list of Queensland representatives for the 2023 WorldSkills National Championships can be found here.