South Regional TAFE hosted an exciting battle of trade skills on Friday with bricklaying, blocklaying and cabinetmaking students competing as part of WorldSkills Regional competition.
WorldSkills encourages young apprentices to test their skills and benchmark themselves against others throughout their region.
WorldSkills is often described as the Olympics of skills competitions. Gold, silver and bronze medallists are announced at each level and may have the opportunity to go on and compete at national and international level.
Next month, celebrated local cabinetmaking apprentice Nick Johnston will be competing in Abu Dhabi as part of the International WorldSkills competition.
Mr Johnston was trained at the TAFE Bunbury Campus and won gold at the national competition in 2016. He also helped to judge the cabinet making competition.
During the WorldSkills competition the students need to demonstrate their trade skills by finishing a project. Their projects are judged by local industry experts and trainers.
Principal lecturer Joe Estermann, who is also a member of the WorldSkills Hall of Fame and chief judge, said the competitions gave students a tremendous amount of confidence and life experience.
“It is a great way for the students to find out just how good their skills are and where they fit in.”
Bricklaying and Blocklaying lecturer Mark Baker explained that these students competed in a speed test to demonstrate their bricklaying technique under pressure after they had completed their main project.
“The speed test consists of a 20-minute dash to build the highest and most accurate brick pier.” Mark said.
“It also demonstrates the stamina required to finish off a two-day competition.
“WorldSkills is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our trade and inspire young people entering our industry.”
The South West WorldSkills Regionals being held at South Regional TAFE also included competitions in hairdressing as well as cookery and restaurant service competitions, which will be held in October.
Vocational education and training in schools (VETiS) students also competed in commercial cookery, hospitality and hairdressing competitions in August and September.
