SKILLAROOS SET COURSE FOR SKILLS OLYMPICS
Published Monday, 05 November, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
The Queensland members of Australia’s “Skills Olympics” team will be officially farewelled today ahead of their departure for the international finals of WorldSkills 2007 in Shizuoka, Japan.
Skillaroos team members Kim Harrison, Chris Hopkins, Paul Neumann and Lachlan Thomas will be presented with part of their official team uniforms at a ceremony at SkillsTech Australia’s Acacia Ridge campus at 4.30pm today (5 November) by the Member for Algester, Karen Struthers.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford, who is unable to attend the presentation, also wished the team members well for the finals.
“The WorldSkills competition is a great opportunity for Queensland to show its skills development credentials to the rest of the world,” Mr Welford said.
“The $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan is leading the way in developing a vocational education and training system that is capable of providing best practice training for young Queenslanders.
“SkillsTech Australia is already at the forefront in technical and trades training in areas such as automotive, building and construction, manufacturing and engineering, electrical and electronics studies.”
Kim Harrison will be competing in the Graphic Design Technology category, Chris Hopkins will be competing in the Joinery category, Paul Neumann will be competing in the Sheetmetal Work category and Lachlan Thomas will be competing in the Refrigeration category.
WorldSkills 2007 will run in Shizuoka, Japan, from 14-21 November.
The biennial event is the world’s premier skills excellence competition, covering 24 skills categories ranging from hairdressing and bricklaying to web design and auto repair.
Over 200,000 spectators are expected to watch as more than 850 competitors from 48 countries compete for the honour of being named the world’s most skilled nation.
Australia currently holds the ninth place rank in the world.
For more information on WorldSkills 2007 go to www.worldskills2007.com.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000