SkillsTech Australia farewelled the Queensland WorldSkills team today as they prepared to take on the rest of the country at the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Sydney from 30 August to 1 September.

SkillsTech Australia Institute Director Mary Campbell congratulated the 82-strong Queensland team on their achievements to date.

“It was wonderful to meet the competitors and give them our best wishes as they prepare to take on the best in the national competition with a total of 500 competitors and 50 skills categories,” Mrs Campbell said.

“It was also my pleasure to welcome the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education, Training and Employment to the ceremony.

“SkillsTech Australia has a rich history with WorldSkills Australia. Two of the three Queensland members of Team Australia 2011 trained here and went on to receive a silver medal and medal of excellence at the international competition in London.

“Our institute is also home to the WorldSkills Queensland office, many of our teachers are judges at the regional competitions and 9 of 14 Brisbane region competitors in our trade categories are SkillsTech Australia-trained – good luck to all!”

SkillsTech Australia Welding Apprentice Mason Roberts, 21-years-old of Caboolture said he was looking forward to representing Queensland in Sydney and could not wait to show the other states what the Queensland team was made of.

“This is my first time competing nationally, but I know we have a really strong team and I am sure we will give other states a run for their money,” Mason said.

“My dad and granddad were boilermakers, so welding is in my blood and I want to do my family and my state proud.

“It would be great to go on and represent Australia – I would like to thank WorldSkills Australia for this opportunity and the teachers at SkillsTech Australia for their continued excellent training – you’re the best!”

WorldSkills Australia is a national organisation that has been contributing to the promotion of skills excellence in Australia since 1981. It provides the opportunity for young people to showcase their trade and skill talent through competitions held on a regional, national and international level. All three levels of competition run biennially.