Young WA tradespeople urged to compete in the 1998 Workskill competitions

19/5/98

Young Western Australian vocation students and tradespeople have been called upon by Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes to compete in the 1998 WorkSkill competitions.

Mrs Edwardes said entrants would be in the running to represent Australia in the 35th biennial International Youth Skill Olympics to be staged in Canada next year.

The Minister said WorkSkill involved competitors from more than 30 industry categories including automotive and vehicle, building and construction, computing and technology, electrical and electronic, client services, metals and engineering, and hospitality and food, competing against each other and the clock to demonstrate international skill abilities.

Competitors from four regions in Western Australia - (South-West, North-West, Goldfields, and Perth [extending to Geraldton and Northam) - would be selected to compete in their regions in September this year. Category winners from each region may progress to the national finals in Melbourne to be staged in May, 1999.

Mrs Edwardes said WorkSkill encouraged young people in trades and industries to take pride in their work to achieve world class standards.

"WorkSkill gives many of the State's young people the opportunity to compare their skills with peers, and ultimately with international standards," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It promotes the practice of striving for excellence, and that experience will hold the competitors in good stead throughout their careers.

"The regional finals will showcase Western Australia's best young workers from various industries, many of whom are still completing apprenticeships and traineeships."

The Western Australian Government provides financial and administrative support through the Department of Training for the competitions. Regional category winners receive $500 towards the costs of competing at the national finals.

Applications for WorkSkill competitions are now open and close on August 14. Information and entry forms are available on the Western Australian Department of Training internet site at http://www.training.wa.gov.au, from TAFE campuses throughout the State, or by contacting a regional WorkSkill Competitions Director.

Further information is available from:

·         Perth region [extending to Geraldton and Northam]

Sharon Roberts

Special Events Coordinator

Department of Training

Level 2, 151 Royal Street

East Perth WA 6004

Tel: 08 9235 6319

Fax: 08 9235 6014

·         North West Region

Jeff Topham

Training Co-ordinator

Chair, North West Region

BHP Port Hedland

PO Box 231

Port Hedland WA 6721

Tel: 08 9173 6184/6888

Fax: 08 9173 6376

·         South West Region

Allan McGillivray

Chair, South West Region

C/- Worsley Alumina

PO Box 344

Collie WA 6225

Tel: 08 9734 8311

Fax: 08 9734 8497

·         Goldfields Region

Di Watts

Kalgoorlie College

Cassidy Street

Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Tel: 08 9088 6827

Fax: 08 9088 6882

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9421 7777