Trade skills put to challenge

Apprentices and VET students from across the South West and Great Southern got together at South Regional TAFE on Friday for the WorldSkills VETiS and Regional competitions.

South Regional TAFE training manager of trades, paraprofessionals and service industries Anita Host said the competitions were viewed as the Olympics for young tradies.

“It’s great, there were 28 countries competing at the last international competition,” she said.

Before they can represent Australia, competitors must first make it through regional competitions before progressing to the national competition and representing their State.

Former South West apprentice and international medal winner, Nick Johnston, urged current and future trade students to take part in the competitions whenever they got the chance.

“Just have a go, you’ve got nothing to lose,” he said.

Competitions ranged from all forms of trade, including brick laying, hospitality, hairdressing, culinary and construction.

All levels of competition are held biannually, with the regional and international competitions falling on the same year.