The best in the West have been selected to represent Team Australia as Skillaroos at the 47th WorldSkills International Competition which will take place in Lyon, France in September 2024.
The biennial WorldSkills International Competition gives young people an opportunity to demonstrate their vocational skills on the global stage across a variety of sectors including construction and building technology, manufacturing technology and engineering, and social and personal services.
WorldSkills Australia's participation in Lyon 2024 aims to benchmark Australian skills excellence against global standards and achieve the title of the world's most skilled country. Lyon 2024 is set to be the largest skills competition ever, with more than 1,500 competitors from 65 countries expected to compete in 59 skills from 10-15 September 2024.
WorldSkills Australia is sending its largest ever team of Skillaroos, with 33 young apprentices, trainees and vocational students, set to compete in Lyon 2024 across skills such as automotive technology, bricklaying, cookery, floristry, hairdressing, mechatronics and welding. Each Skillaroo will be supported by their Expert, who is working with them to prepare to compete on the world stage.
Western Australia's Skillaroos were selected to represent Team Australia in five skills following their outstanding results at the WorldSkills National Championships in August 2023.
WA Skillaroos
- Lewis Italiano – South Regional TAFE – Cabinet Making
- Jacob Dixon – North Metropolitan TAFE – Wall and Floor Tiling
- Antoinette Jackson – MPA Skills – Painting and Decorating
- Mitchell Rigney – North Metropolitan TAFE – Jewellery
- Kai Baharthah-King and Lachlan Gelavis – North Metropolitan TAFE – Cyber Security (Team Event)
WorldSkills Australia has also selected five Western Australians as Experts to coach the Skillaroos in the lead up to, and during, Lyon 2024.
WA Experts
- Nick Johnston – South Regional TAFE – Cabinet Making
- Liam Cochran – North Metropolitan TAFE – Wall and Floor Tiling
- Brendan Hibbert – North Metropolitan TAFE – Graphic Design Technology
- Ryan Goggin – North Metropolitan TAFE – 3D Digital Game Art
- Todd Bell – Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Electrical Installation
To learn more about the Skillaroos and their journey to Lyon 2024 visit worldskills.org.au/competitions/lyon-france.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said, "Congratulations to the six young Western Australian apprentices, trainees and students who have been selected to represent Team Australia as Skillaroos. Their selection is a testament to their ambition, passion, commitment and effort to excel in their vocational skills. The 2024 WorldSkills International Competition is an incredible opportunity for them to demonstrate their vocational skills and achieve excellence on the world stage. The experience will also no doubt provide our Skillaroos with new perspectives on how they go about their profession and inspire them to take on new challenges as they prepare for the next stage of their career. "I wish them all the best on their journey to Lyon in September."
