Aussies prepare for World Skills 2011
By Kate Southam, CareerOne
The Olympic city will get some competitive fever next month when a team of passionate young Aussies hits London to compete against 54 countries to defend our 5th world ranking.
Instead of the hammer throw, “Skillaroos” will be using hammers to pound metal or nail wood. Instead of sprinting down a track, Aussie competitors will be snipping, colouring and blow drying against the clock.
The Skillaroos will compete in the “Skills Olympics” officially known as the World Skills International over four days in London from October 5 to October 8.
The World Skills International takes place every two years. The Australian team is selected via a series of regional events culminating in the nationals, which took place in Brisbane last year.
That has left a year for the 28-member Skillaroos team to work with their designated Experts (coaches) to reach peak condition in time to take on the world.
If you want a feel-good story then this is it. Talented and driven young people from around Australia putting their passion for their particular trade and years of hard work to the test to represent their country against the world’s best. Our Skillaroos will compete in a number of events each day within one-huge venue. The noise around them will be immense as they compete against the clock to produce the highest quality work they can as crowds look on and judges watch their every move.
Now meet our Skillaroos team – the event each team will compete in is listed in brackets.
From Queensland: Liam Janetzki (Refrigerating & air conditioning); Rhaman Donovan, (Fashion technology); and Russell Routledge (Sheet metal technology).
From NSW: Craig Agnew, (Autobody Repair); Gus Asciutto, (Painting & Decorating); Guy Brooks, (Welding), Kate Crocker, (Restaurant service); Lester Tibbles (Bricklaying), Michael Ashton, (Construction metal work); Michael Theobald (Manufacturing Team Challenge); Phillip Little (Plumbing & heating); Richard May (Landscape gardening); Alex Odgers (Beauty therapy); Andrew Seeley (IT software solutions for business); Ben Cooper (Cabinetmaking); Benjamin Houghton (Electrical installations); Blake Cannell (Web design); and Kye Szeniak (Car painting).
From the ACT: Thomas Ramsey, (Landscape gardening).
From SA: Ben Hooper (Manufacturing Team Challenge).
From Victoria: David McPherson (Industrial Control); Mathew Hall (Manufacturing Team Challenge); Nicolas Sharp (Graphic design technology); Romain Marteau (Automobile technology); and Tamika Mackrell (Floristry).
From WA: Jake Hall (Wall & floor tiling); Natalee Hibbins (Jewellery); and Alexis Scott (Hairdressing).
A large support team will travel with the Skillaroos to London headed by World Skills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan. Supporters going to the event include 25 expert trainers who have been coaching individual team members for the past year. The team members also have the support of their employers, TAFE colleges, friends and family.
CareerOne.com.au, September 19, 2011
