Worldskills showcase

Agroup of seven Wimmera students will be the first secondary-age competitors to test their electrotechnology training and knowledge at a Worldskills event.

Federation University’s Wimmera Campus in Horsham is hosting its first Worldskills competition for secondary students completing Vocational Education and Training in electrotechnology tomorrow.

Seven first and second-year VETIS students from Horsham’s St Brigid’s College, Horsham College and Dimboola Secondary School will demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills for a place in a state-representative team.

Convenor and Feduni Tafe teacher Iaian Fricker said the

Worldskills competitions featured all trades, including bricklaying, cookery and welding, and offered people opportunity to progress and compete in regional, state, national and world events.

He said Feduni’s Horsham campus ran a regional event in 2017 for electrotechnology apprentices, but this would be the first Horsham-based competition for students in years 10 and 11 in the Ballarat-wimmera region.

“In 2017, apprentice Corey Mann from Horsham’s Laser Electrical won the event and went on to nationals,” he said.

“Laser Electrical was chuffed, Corey was chuffed, and Feduni and Horsham were chuffed too, because Horsham’s only small.

“It’s a reflection of Feduni’s commitment to teaching theory and practices that turn out successful electricians and technicians.”

Mr Fricker said he was the only teacher running electrotechnology events for the region, including a competition for apprentices on September 2, and one of few likely to do so in Victoria.

He said this gave competing students ‘every chance’ at progressing to national level.

“Students are all on equal-footing. They’re judged on the demonstration of their knowledge and a practical skills demonstration, and that will establish a regional gold, silver and bronze winner,” he said.

“The state-wide competition is paper-based, so all the gold scores go in together and the highest scoring competitors make the state team.”

Students competing in the event will also demonstrate their skills to potential future electrotechnology VET students at a ‘Try VET Day’ tomorrow.

Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network’s VET Cluster is running a come-and-try day for years nine to 11 from 10am to 2pm.

LLEN VET and Structured Workplace Learning Cluster coordinator Di Dent said students could attend two ‘VET Taster Sessions’ at five registered training organisations, including Federation University, Longerenong College, Skillinvest, Centre for Participation and Horsham College.

The day aims to assist students’ decisions for what occupation they might want to pursue after leaving school.