25/11/05
More than 30 of Western Australia's top tradespeople, apprentices, trainees and vocational students have been selected to represent the State at the National WorldSkills event in Melbourne next year.
Announcing the team this morning, Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said the winners were the cream of the crop of WA's apprentices and trainees.
Among the winners is John Alebakis, from Stirling, who has won two national silver medals in tiling. John hopes to strike gold in Melbourne and win the right to represent Australia in the international WorldSkills competition to be held in Japan in 2007.
Ms Ravlich also presented gold, silver and bronze medals to competitors who took part in the WA WorldSkills Competition in 24 categories, as well as seven VET in Schools and three educational support categories.
"These medal-winners have participated in competitions that are both challenging and demanding and all the time they are working against each other and the clock," the Minister said.
"The judges said choosing this year's winners was an extremely difficult task with a huge pool of exceptionally talented young people.
"All the gold medallists and some silver medallists will represent WA at the national WorldSkills event in Melbourne."
The aim of WorldSkills is to challenge young people to achieve excellence in their chosen field and to reach world-class standards.
Entrants from 14 industries participated in this year's WA WorldSkills competition and included bricklayers and carpenters, bakers and cooks, hairdressers and mechanics.
The entrants were nominated by their employers and training providers as being among the best in WA.
Ms Ravlich said the Gallop Government was committed to providing a world class training system and since coming to power in 2001 had increased the number of trainees and apprentices by 47 per cent.
"Recently we achieved a major election commitment years ahead of schedule and reached the milestone of 30,000 apprentices and trainees in training," she said.
"This could not have been achieved without the help of about 8,500 businesses which have employed apprentices and trainees and are working with us to solve the skills shortage."
The Gallop Government is committed to delivering new jobs and opportunities to all Western Australians.
WA WorldSkills Team to compete in Melbourne from May 5-7, 2006:
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Body Repair: Thomas Clark, from Waikki, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Automotive Mechanics: Dale McMullen, from Bateman, who trained at Challenger TAFE and Brendan Mandzij, from Albany, who trained at Great Southern TAFE.
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics: Gavin Zimmer, from Lesmurdie, who trained at the Caterpillar Institute of WA.
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
Bricklaying: Jason Stouthamer, from Sorrento, who trained at Swan TAFE and Christopher Harvey, from Ravenswood, who trained at Challenger TAFE.
Carpentry: Daniel Dixon, from Forrestfield, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Painting and Decorating: Conan Cordin, from Mt Nasura, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Plastering Fibrous: Craig Browner, from Westminster, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Plumbing: Michael Heley, from Whitby, who trained at MPA Skills.
Wall and Floor Tiling: John Alebakis, from Stirling, who trained at Swan TAFE and Alan Wall from Roleystone who trained at Swan TAFE.
COMPUTING AND BUSINESS
Printing and Graphic Arts: Ryan Dunk, from Redcliffe, who trained at Central TAFE.
FOOD
Meat retailing: Leon Barradell, from Como, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Retail Baking - Bread: Simon Goldsborough from Willetton who trained at Swan TAFE.
Retail Baking - Pastry: Bryan Hart, from Mosman Park, who trained at Swan TAFE.
HOSPITALITY
Cookery: Toia Moirada, from East Fremantle, who trained at Challenger TAFE.
Restaurant Services: Laura Chapman, from Victoria Park, who trained at Swan TAFE and Marjkya Gray, from Duncraig, who trained at the West Coast Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
Cabinet Making: Caleb Jacobs, from Forrestfield, who trained at Swan TAFE and Russell Blythe, from Glen Forrest, who trained at Swan TAFE.
Garment Production: Julia Fowler, from Glen Forrest, who trained at Swan TAFE.
METALS AND ENGINEERING
Construction Steel Work: Jeremy Curtin, from Bunbury, who trained at South West Regional College of TAFE.
Fitting: Tom Rutherford, from Safety Bay, who trained at Challenger TAFE.
Fluid Power: Ryan Hart, from Bunbury, who trained at South West Regional College of TAFE.
Turning: Joe Latham, from Medina, who trained at CCI Kwinana Skills Centre.
Welding: Jonathon Gronbek, from Lesmurdie, who trained at Swan TAFE and
Seb Fenton, from Wickham, who trained at Pilbara TAFE.
RETAIL AND PERSONAL SERVICES
Floristry: Matthew Landers, from St James, who trained at Challenger TAFE.
Hairdressing: Gelsie Demascio, from Mahogany Creek, who trained at Swan TAFE and Candice Faranda, from Bassendean, who trained at the Taylor Weir School of Hairdressing.
WA WorldSkills Vet in Schools Team:
Business Services: Tamara Williams, from Hamilton Senior High School.
Commercial Cookery: Lisa Sunjich, from Hamilton Senior High School.
Food and Beverage Services: Courtney Clarkson, from Hamilton Senior High School.
Horticulture: Gina Brooks and Emma Dunham, from Kwinana Senior High School.
Information Technology: Russell Clegg, from Kwinana Senior High School.
Metals and Engineering: Cameron Dolan, from Kwinana Senior High School.
Primary Industries: Jody Van De Laar, from Kelmscott Senior High School.
Retail: Tamara Hacking, from Living Waters Lutheran College.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
