Team Australia gears up for WorldSkills Lyon 2024

Team Australia is on a mission to make its mark at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon and its Champions, also known as the Skillaroos, are getting in all the competition practice they can to prepare for the event. From 23 to 26 May, they demonstrated their expertise at the 2024 Global Skills Challenge in Melbourne.

The four-day event, in partnership with WorldSkills Australia and TAFE Victoria, mirrored the same tough conditions of the upcoming international Competition. Nearly 140 young people representing 17 countries competed in 29 skill categories, all of them hosted across the Melbourne TAFE campuses. The diverse skills on display included Plumbing, Carpentry, Cooking, and Cyber Security.

The Skillaroos did not disappoint. The young people who make up Team Australia proved they are a highly skilled and formidable group. Between them they secured 15 medals, including seven gold medals. It put them at second place in the overall medal tally.

Team Australia’s road to WorldSkills Lyon 2024 started with regional competitions in 2022, involving over 3,000 Competitors. But it was at the WorldSkills Australia nationals in 2023 that the final 32 Skillaroos were selected from the best performers from each state and territory. During the closing ceremony, the Skillaroos received their official Team Australia badges, symbolizing their participation in and their dedication to skills excellence.

There was a strong sense of pride, unity, and excitement throughout the whole of the event. Trevor Schwenke, CEO of WorldSkills Australia, praised all the young people saying, “Touring the event sites, the spirit of competition was only outmatched by the sense of camaraderie and collaboration between countries and regions. Seeing officials and Competitors mingling, discussing how they approach their skill back home, is what it’s all about.”

Pierre-Andre Imbert, Ambassador of France to Australia, attended the 2024 Global Skills Challenge closing ceremony and expressed his excitement for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. He also presented the Best in Nation awards to the deserving recipients from each country. For Team Australia, Ethan Everett from Illawarra, NSW, took home Best in Nation for his outstanding performance in Bricklaying.

The 2024 Global Skills Challenge also featured inspiring addresses from prominent figures such as Xavier Csar, CEO of the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery; Laura Angus, Executive Director of the National Careers Institute; Kevin Harris, Chair of the Board at WorldSkills Australia; and Dr. Mamta Chauhan, Group Manager of Skills Recognition General Occupations at VETASSESS.

With under three months until WorldSkills Lyon 2024, the Skillaroos will continue with their intensive training and skills development. These initiatives include collaborations with industry partners, mentorship programmes, and mental and physical preparation. The training not only sharpens technical skills but also helps young Champions build their confidence, communicate effectively, develop resilience, and be ready to adapt to the challenges they may face in the Competition arena.

At the Closing Ceremony, Trevor Schwenke shared his belief and confidence in Team Australia, saying, “Our Skillaroos performed extremely well under competition conditions and showed why they were selected to represent Australia at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. With so many of them receiving medals today, we can’t wait to see how they perform on an international stage.”

Visit the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 website to keep up with the latest news.