WA home to nation's best young florist and baker

Western Australia's world-class training system proved its worth helping the State's National WorldSkills team to go for gold in Sydney this year.

WA tradesmen and women won a total of 12 medals, three gold, five silver and four bronze medals at Australia's biggest skills competition, held in Sydney at the weekend.

Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan congratulated the team, WA's biggest ever to compete in the national competition, on the excellent result.

"WA's training system is second to none, so it is no surprise we were so successful in a highly competitive national arena," Mr McGowan said.

"This system has produced an international WorldSkills champion in 2007, automotive mechanic Dale McMullen.

"This year's team should be proud of their efforts and the outstanding results achieved representing their State.

"The skills these competitors display are a credit to the State's training system, their host employers and the training providers, who are all a part of this success.

"Our gold medallists Stacey Lee Pitman, of Beeliar, Carlee Bramford, of Southern River and Rebecca Altes, of Kalgoorlie, are now eligible to compete at the International WorldSkills Competition in Calgary in 2009."

Every two years, the not-for-profit organisation, Worldskills Australia, holds regional, national and international trade competitions which highlight young Australians' skills excellence.  WA sent its biggest team ever to the 2008 National WorldSkills Competition, with 49 competitors in 31 categories.

The Minister said the State Government was committed to improving the training system continuously, to make it more flexible, responsive and efficient, to better address the State's skill shortages.

"We have already allocated an additional $66million in the State budget 2008-2009 to further increase the number of apprentices and trainees in WA to a total of 39,000," he said.

There are currently 37,421 apprentices and trainees in WA, which represents an increase of 100 per cent since February 2001.

More information about the Worldskills Australia is available at: http://www.worldskills.org.au

Minister's office: 9222 9111 

A list of Western Australian National Worldskills Medallists is attached.