Skillaroos Teach MP’s New Skills

By WorldSkills Australia

Team Australia Skillaroos took WorldSkills Australia Try ‘a Trade to Parliament House today and impressed our parliamentarians with their medal winning skills while passing on some of their world class techniques on the lawns of Federation mall, Canberra.

Participating in what was a first for WorldSkills Australia and our members of parliament was The Deputy Prime Minister The Hon Julia Gillard, Senator Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service Delivery, Minister Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Minister Greg Combet and Minister for Defense Personnel, Materiel and Science and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary for Employment Jason Clare.

MP’s enthusiastically took on the challenge of Try ‘a Trade and did exceptionally well with the various tools on hand. While holding oxy torches and maneuvering mortar on a trowel, our MP’s also gained some insights into new sustainability practices used in each of the trades and how that has impacted the industry and the consumer. Our Skillaroos also imparted some useful sustainability tips that can be easily applied in every Australian home.

The 2009 Skillaroos Gavin Press (Medallion of Excellence) Electrical Installation, Megan Kuhn, Medallion of Excellence, (Hairdressing) Kyle Butler and Andrew Arthur (Silver Medal) Manufacturing Team Challenge, Tyson Knight, (Silver Medal) Plumbing, Daniel Karanges Bronze Medal (Sheetmetal) Josh Harris (Bronze Medal) Welding and Daniel Dovern, 2009 Regional Gold Medallist and 2010 National Competitor, polished their tools and impressed parliamentarians with their finely tuned skills today, while helping to promote the Australian Governments Kickstart Apprentices program.

WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan said "the Governments Apprenticeship Kickstart Program is a fantastic initiative that will hopefully boost the number of Australians commencing an apprenticeship. It is through initiatives such as the Kickstart Program together with the showcasing of role models such as the 2009 Team Australia Skillaroos that will hopefully entice more Australians to take up a trade apprenticeship."

Around 400, 000 Australians are already in Australian Apprenticeship schemes covering more than 500 occupations. The Australian Government is investing $3.8 billion over four years to support Australian Apprenticeships and will invest an additional $100 million in the Apprentice Kickstart package to support young Australians entering traditional trades this summer.

The Australian Government’s Apprenticeships Kickstart program will more than triple the first year bonus paid to employers who take on traditional trades apprentices this summer.

View further information on Apprenticeships Kickstart program.
For more information on WorldSkills Australia and Try’aTrade events for 2010.
View photos taken from Parliament House.