WorldSkills History
This week 500 young Australian trade apprentices, trainees and VET students from all regions of Australia will come together to compete in Australia’s largest and most prestigious trades and skills competition, the WorldSkills Australia National Competition, which takes place every two years.
Over three days each competitor will be fighting it out in Sydney for a medal and place at the international WorldSkills competition taking place in Canada next year.
For every trainee and apprentice taking part in the event, each one would have started out by winning a regional competition, followed by a state title allowing them to qualify for the nationals. The successful few who get the chance to compete in Canada will then spend the next year in training to build their confidence and skills before being pitted against the world’s best.
The purpose of WorldSkills Australia is to raise the status of a huge range of skilled jobs deemed of vital importance to Australia’s future.
Government projections echoed by the ACTU’s research predicts a shortage of more than 200,000 skilled workers over the next five years, it is now more critical than ever that young Australians are supported into a vocational training and to learn a trade.
WorldSkills Australia was founded 25 years ago by Tjerk [Jack] Dusseldorp of the Lend Lease property empire as a non-for-profit organisation.
The organisation aims to provide opportunities for apprentices to gain new skills, compete against their peers in their chosen trades and fast-track their careers.
The organisation also stages live demonstrations around Australia to give young people a chance to “try a trade” and see if it appeals. World Skills also has growing links with schools and strong links with vocational colleges with many TAFE teachers giving up their time to support and mentor competitors as they move through the ranks from regional and state to the national team.
To date, over 50,000 young Australians have participated in the various competitions - both regional and national - in their attempts to qualify for the Australian team.
So far, Australia’s achievement at the international WorldSkills competitions has been outstanding.
In 2005, at the World Skills championship in Finland, Australia won three gold medals, two bronze and 11 medals of excellence.
During the most recent event in Japan, Australia came in the top five countries in the world winning two gold, two silver and two bronze medals, as well as 19 medallions of excellence.
Next year, WorldSkills Australia will be hoping to spend its best team yet to the competition in Canada.
