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Harry taking on Australia’s best chippies in National Championships
Harry Steptoe will compete for glory at the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships in the Carpentry category, after placing fourth at the previous National Championships in 2023.
Local Logan resident and TAFE Queensland carpentry apprentice Harry Steptoe is set to take on Australia’s top young trade talent in the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Champions in Brisbane from 12-14 June 2025.
With over 600 competitors, 300 judges, 200 volunteers and an expected 25,000 visitors, the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and Skills Show is a three-day celebration of trades, skills, and vocational education and training industry excellence – the largest event of its kind in Australia.
Having represented Queensland at the last National Championships in 2023, Harry was again selected for the WorldSkills Queensland team after being awarded a Gold medal at last year’s regional qualifier, and says he is excited to compete against Australia’s best apprentices and hopes to make his family, employer, and TAFE Queensland teachers proud.
“After coming fourth in 2023 and missing out on going to Lyon to compete internationally by half a point, beating my previous position will prove that I have bettered my skills as a carpenter,” Mr Steptoe said.
Harry at the 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Melbourne.
“Working with my TAFE teacher, Col, in the last competition proved to be an incredible asset. From never building a roof to learning to construct a complex geometric roof in a matter of months is beyond staggering. Col has been a great teacher through my apprenticeship.”
“The camaraderie of the Queensland team excites me, I’m excited be able to go on this adventure with other like-minded people,” he said.
More than 100 TAFE Queensland students have been selected to represent Queensland and compete against hundreds of apprentices from across Australia in their trade skill.
TAFE Queensland – Skillstech General Manager Stephen Gates said TAFE Queensland is excited to continue its strong support for WorldSkills Australia, partnering with the Queensland Government to bring the nation’s biggest skills event to Queensland.
"As the largest and most trusted Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in the state, TAFE Queensland leads the pack in WorldSkills participation and encourages our peers around the state to get involved as well, as broader participation strengthens the competition and lifts the overall calibre of the Queensland team," Mr Gates said.
"In fact, over 80 per cent of the WorldSkills Queensland team is made up of TAFE Queensland competitors and more than half of the competition judges are TAFE Queensland teachers, showcasing our talent and dedication to supporting both our students, employers and industries.”
"The WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships and Skills Show underscores our leadership in the training market and our commitment to providing industry-relevant training that transforms lives, industries and communities.”
"This event is about recognising and celebrating excellence in both participant skill development and educator training delivery and everyone at TAFE Queensland takes great pride in the success and excellence of our competitors and colleagues," he said.
Held every two years, the National Championships are Australia’s largest and most successful vocational education excellence event. With 63 skill area competitions on offer, students from all over the country compete in every vocation imaginable – from carpentry to cloud computing.
The top performers in eligible skills may earn a coveted spot in Team Australia (“The Skillaroos”), set to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2026. This global event will bring together around 1,300 competitors from over 60 countries, making it the largest skills showcase in the world.
This event is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and TAFE Queensland.
To attend the inspiring competition in person at no cost, visit WorldSkills Australia.