NSW school students take out top prizes in WorldSkills National Championships, writes Taylor Mahoney.
New South Wales has taken out 8 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze awards in the Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) competitions, as well as the VETiS Shield, at Australia’s largest skills excellence event, the 2023 WorldSkills National Championships.
The event, held every 2 years, showcases work from young tradespeople or those aspiring to compete against their peers from around the country.
“It was a really exciting experience to be at the WorldSkills Championships meeting people, and I can see that this will lead to great opportunities,” said Kayla Young, a Murray High School Year 12 student who is completing a school-based apprenticeship in bricklaying and won a silver medal.
The August event drew thousands of apprentices, trainees and young people along with their families and employer groups.
WorldSkills not only celebrates excellence in vocational education and training but is a platform that can inspire apprentices, trainees and future students. The NSW VETiS team was in top form in a variety of skill areas – from primary industries to commercial cookery and from carpentry to electrotechnology:
Gold
| Student | School | VETiS competition |
|---|---|---|
Abbey Slater | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Automotive Services |
Flynn Hall | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Business Services |
Cooper Williams | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Carpentry |
Claudia Walker | Marist Sisters’ College, Woolwich | Commercial Cookery |
Sophia Gooley | Ballina Coast High School | Hairdressing |
Lillie Jepp | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Healthcare Assistance |
Ryan Fahey | St John’s College, Lismore | Plumbing |
Jake Turner | Yanco Agricultural High School | Primary Industries |
Silver
| Student | School | VETiS competition |
|---|---|---|
Felix Gonzalez | Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights | Automotive Services |
Kayla Young | Murray High School, Lavington | Bricklaying |
Elka Monckton | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Commercial Cookery |
George Tsopel | Marist College, Kogarah | Electrotechnology |
Emily Speirs | Dapto High School | Food and Beverage |
Lachlan Broad | Yanco Agricultural High School | Primary Industries |
Bronze
| Student | School | VETiS competition |
|---|---|---|
Kingsley Threlfo | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Bricklaying |
Thomas Powell | Hunter Trade College, Maitland | Electrotechnology |
Emma Marchant | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Food and Beverage |
Jessica Nieradka | Trinity Catholic College, Auburn | Hairdressing |
Jayden Farrington | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Information Technology |
Benjamin Perrin | Macintyre High School, Inverell | Primary Industries |
Jasmyn Debreceny | Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie | Tourism |
Ashton Pullen | McAuley Catholic College, Grafton | Wall and Floor Tiling |
Certificate of Excellence
| Student | School | VETiS competition |
|---|---|---|
Charbel Moussa | Good Samaritan Catholic College, Liverpool | Automotive Services |
Annalise Hansen | MacKillop College, Bathurst | Commercial Cookery |
Monique Westwood | Kirrawee High School | Food and Beverage |
Jack Martin | The King’s School, Parramatta | Primary Industries |
Harrison Mamone | Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Calala | Primary Industries |
Cody Grady | Yanco Agricultural High School | Primary Industries |
These students are destined for success in their respective fields.
