WorldSkills Australia’s Skillaroos train at The Global Skills Challenge 2011

Competitors from eight countries around the globe completed a challenging four-day stint at the WorldSkills Australia Global Skills Challenge 2011in Wollongong.

The event, hosted at TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute and officially opened by Pam Christie, current Director General of Education and Communities and Managing Director of TAFE NSW, replicated the conditions competitors will experience in October at the 41st WorldSkills International Competition, London.

The Team Australia Skillaroos comprises 29 of Australia’s elite skilled champions including 16 TAFE NSW students, who honed their skills against 80 competitors from countries such as Jamaica, Korea and the United Kingdom.

Dianne Murray, TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute’s Director, congratulated the students on their exceptional workmanship throughout the challenge and praised employers for the support they continue to provide to the apprentices and trainees in Team Australia Skillaroos.

“WorldSkills is a great vehicle to see the very best in vocational education and training. It challenges our competitors to be the best that they can,” said Ms Murray.

Mark Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer, WorldSkills Australia said Team Australia excelled in their skill categories across all areas.

The 41st WorldSkills International Competition in October will showcase the global skills standards of competitors from over 50 countries representing 45 skill areas.

The Team Australia Skillaroos will face the pressure of excelling in their individual skill categories and also defending Australia’s current 5th place ranking worldwide. The Global Skills Challenge competition demonstrates they are well on the way to achieving great results at elite level.