The Northern Territory Team's participation in the 2023 WorldSkills Australia event yielded remarkable results, including two bronze medals and a Medallion of Excellence.
These achievements stand as a testament to the dedication and commitment of five highly talented young Territorians.
The competition held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from August 17-19, saw 180 young apprentices and trainees presented with medals at a ceremony on Sunday evening.
Just under 27,000 visitors attended the event, with the majority comprising school students seeking to learn more about the opportunities that vocational, technological and service-oriented careers can unlock.
Industry Skills Advisory Council NT supported the NT competitors on the ground, along with Charles Darwin University (CDU) Pro-Vice Chancellor and CEO - TAFE Michael Hamilton.
The Northern Territory team took away two bronze medals in the categories of Retail Baking Bread, awarded to Territorian Jade Reichstein, and VETiS Business Services, which went to Khiandra Fabian.
The NT cohort competed across the categories of Beauty Therapy, Retail Baking Bread, VETiS Business Services, and Carpentry.
When viewed within the NT context, it highlights the Territory's determination and its capacity to excel beyond its size, especially considering that Team NT comprised just five competitors competing against the hundreds from Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Industry Skills and Advisory Council (ISACNT) Operations Manager Casey Bruton said it had been a fantastic effort from all the Territory competitors competing against competitors across the country.
“The WorldSkills Australia competition celebrates excellence in various trades and showcases the immense potential of our future workforce,” Ms Bruton said.
“An incredible effort over three days of competing by the NT competitors. The competition is a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and passion for their chosen fields.
“The competition is a great celebration of the NT team's achievements and dedication to their respective fields and a wonderful recognition of the role Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays in upskilling our young people and anyone that wants to develop new skills and get industry ready. “
Despite being the smallest team, the NT team garnered attention and set the tone for their approach to the competition.
Following the opening ceremony, the competitors underwent a comprehensive induction, which included safety briefings, toolbox inspections, and event expectations. In the evenings, competitors embarked on last-minute efforts to acquire additional equipment that could provide a competitive edge in their respective tasks.
Days of competition were marked by an electrifying atmosphere, with students planning and executing their projects. Despite the intense competition, participants like Ella Adami, a veteran competitor from Alice Springs, maintained their composure and garnered respect from peers and judges.
The competition concluded with Team NT feeling positive despite the challenges of competing away from home.
Next year's NT regional competition will be bigger and broader to showcase the talent the NT has, to take them onto the nationals again, being held in QLD 2025.
Northern Territory Results:
Category | Name | Member | Award |
---|---|---|---|
Bakery | Jade Reichstein | Northern Territory | Bronze |
Beauty Therapy | Gemma Cowan | Northern Territory | Excellence |
Business Services | Khiandra Fabian | Northern Territory | Bronze |