Students on blocks for ‘tradie skills Olympics’
HIGH school students can show off their talents at Australia’s “Olympic” trade skills competition for the chance to compete against the world’s best tradespeople overseas.
Victoria has secured the rights to host the WorldSkills Australia national championships in Melbourne next year, when students will join apprentices and trainees to compete in competitions across carpentry, hairdressing, cybersecurity and health.
Hundreds of participants are expected to compete in the largest trade championship in the country, with regional competitions to begin this year.
The VET (Vocational Education and Training) in Schools competition will mean students can also compete.
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino called it “the Olympics for VET”.
Victoria last hosted the championships in 2016.
Carpentry teacher at Newport’s Bayside College and current national WorldSkills judge, Daniel Bonnici, said first-time students were currently refining their tool skills ahead of their first time competing.
“They’ve got some basic knowledge and it’s their first time excelling and being able to compete at something they actually love,” he said.