Eighty-three young Western Australians have been nominated for the State's training squad to compete at Australia's biggest vocational education and excellence competition in 2025.
The WA Training Squad for the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championship was announced at a medal ceremony in Perth today, held to recognise 213 competitors who excelled in this year's regional competitions.
Throughout 2024 there were 75 regional WorldSkills competitions held, including 30 Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) events, attracting almost 500 competitors from across WA.
Based on their performance in the regional competitions, 83 medallists have been nominated to progress to the National Championship, with 48 male competitors and 35 female competitors nominated for the WA Training Squad.
From this squad, the final WA team will be selected to compete at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 June 2025.
WorldSkills competitions showcase vocational training excellence and benchmark competitors' skills across a variety of industry areas. Apprentices, trainees, students and graduates compete against their peers and the clock in set tasks and with strict judging criteria.
Young Western Australians took part in regional competitions across 37 industry skills including automotive, building and construction, cookery, electrical, engineering, fashion, and hairdressing.
New events included WA's inaugural barbering skills competition for open competitors and the South West's first VETiS metals and engineering competition.
VETiS competitors have excelled in 2024, with 32 competitors selected for the WA Training Squad.
Two female VETiS bricklayer competitors, Serah Waqanivalagi and Elena Loo, were awarded gold medals in the category, with both nominated for the State's training squad.
Identical twins Archie and Noah Babich, from Ellenbrook Secondary College, have been nominated for the WA Training Squad after their strong performances in VETiS competitions.
Archie took out the gold medal in Automotive Services and Noah scooped up silver in Tourism.
For the second consecutive year, Ellenbrook Secondary College was awarded the WA School Shield, recognising the success of their VET programs.
Over the coming months, the WA Training Squad will undergo further training with expert industry mentors, supporting them in their pursuit to secure places in Team WA.
Today's medal ceremony also celebrated Team WA's six Skillaroos and five experts that represented Australia at the 2024 WorldSkills International Competition in France, and recognised six Hall of Fame recipients for their outstanding contribution to WorldSkills in WA.
Further information on WorldSkills WA can be found at www.wa.gov.au/service/education-and-training/vocational-education/worldskills-competitions
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said, "The WorldSkills competitions offer a great opportunity for young apprentices, trainees, vocational students and graduates to showcase their skills and expertise.
"The collaboration between industry and the vocational education and training sector is key to the success of our State's competitors at WorldSkills competitions.
"Congratulations to today's medallists on their achievements - it is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their skill development.
"I wish them all the best as they continue their training to be considered to represent our State as part of Team WA."
