WA young guns shine at 2018 WorldSkills National Championships

• 21 Western Australians won medals at this year's WorldSkills National Championships
• Secondary school students excelled with 11 of 17 WA team members winning a medal
• The event also saw WA win a prestigious trophy, previously only won by New South Wales since the trophy was created in 2001 

Western Australian trainees and apprentices have dominated the 2018 WorldSkills National Championships in Sydney, picking up 21 medals and the prestigious VETiS Shield, recognising the best performing State.

The WorldSkills National Championships is the country's biggest vocational education and training (VET) competition. It highlights the country's best apprentices and trainees in more than 60 different skills areas, who compete for the title of national champion.

More than a third of the 51 Team WA participants were secondary school students who competed in the WorldSkills Australia Vocational Education and Training in Schools program.

WA performed particularly well in the hospitality categories, winning gold, silver and bronze in the VETiS Food and Beverage category and a gold medal in VETiS Commercial Cookery. WA also won bronze in the open competition in the retail baking - pastry category.

Caitlin Budd from Karratha Senior High School, who won the bronze medal in the VETiS Electrotechnology category, also caught the eye of a peak industry association who want to secure her an apprenticeship in the field.

Ron Simeon from North Metropolitan TAFE was also presented with a life member pin for his services to WorldSkills at the event.

National Medal winners may now be considered for selection in the 2019 Team Australia Skillaroos to compete in the 45th WorldSkills Competition in Russia.

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"A key focus of the McGowan Labor Government is on jobs, maximising training opportunities and increasing our skills base.

"It's encouraging to see Western Australian apprentices and trainees, particularly our secondary school students, performing so well on a national stage.   

"Their achievements help shine a light on the training sector - the achievements of the apprentices and trainees themselves, the great work of our training providers who are skilling our future workforce and the opportunities that are available for those learning a trade, especially as jobs change and diversify."

Minister's office - 6552 5700

List of winners:

2018 WorldSkills Team WA VETiS National Championships results

2018 WorldSkills Team WA National Championships results