Two years of intensive training and competition is about to pay off for 26 of Australia’s best trades and skills superstars as they head to São Paulo, Brazil, to compete in the 43^rd WorldSkills Competition.

Held 11-16 August, WorldSkills Australia’s Skillaroos team will join over 1,200 competitors representing over 60 countries for the world’s largest trades and skills showcase.  The Skillaroos will compete in 24 of the 50 skill categories on show at the competition in the hopes of securing a gold medal for their country.

The journey of a lifetime commenced earlier this month for the team.  On 4 August, the Skillaroos attended a Brazilian-themed Farewell Function held at TAFE NSW Ultimo College.  Senator Scott Ryan and Minister John Barilaro congratulated the team and presented each member with an Australian flag.  The team also had the pleasure of meeting Paralympian swimmer Sam Bramham, who entertained them with a humorous motivational speech.  The Skillaroos and an extensive support team flew out of Sydney the following morning.

Since their arrival in Brazil, the team has enjoyed a number of pre-competition activities in São Paulo including a team picnic at the city’s famous Ibirapuera Park, a welcome reception hosted by the Australian Embassy in Brazil and a day of fun activities with the other countries’ competitors.

The Skillaroos have a number of activities in the remaining days before the 43^rd WorldSkills Competition, including a competition familiarisation session and a visit to a local primary school as part of WorldSkills’ One School One Country programme.

Australia has the opportunity to show their support for the Skillaroos by sharing a video or text-based message on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.  To share a message with the Skillaroos, simply upload your video or message with the hashtag #Skillaroos and tag WorldSkills Australia on one of the following social media outlets:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/WorldSkillsAU

Instagram – www.instagram.com/worldskills_au

Twitter – www.twitter.com/WorldSkills_AU