6 August 2008

Victoria University students proved they possess some of the best trade talent in Australia during the WorldSkills Australia competition held last month in Sydney.

The biennial contest tested the skills of more than 500 young apprentices from across Australia in 50 trade and skill categories, ranging from floristry to floor-tiling.

Three of the apprentices sponsored by VU achieved medal success, while five others made it from the Victorian regional heats to the three-day national finals.

Silver medallist in fitting, David Jackson, completed an apprenticeship through VU earlier this year. Fitters shape and assemble metal components with hand tools, drills, lathes, grinders and milling machines.

Over three days, the 21-year-old from Devon Meadows in southeast Melbourne, designed and manufactured a working component to precise specifications, using the full range of machines.

Jamie Morrison, 21, of Wangaratta, now in his third year of a four-year signwriting apprenticeship, took home a bronze medal. Always interested in graphic arts and design at secondary school, Jamie was required to test his skills in both computer-generated signwriting, as well as traditional paintbrush work.

He said: "I was amazed to get as far as I did and have my skills recognised."

Jamie commutes to VU's Sunshine Campus about once a month, and works full-time at Sign Effects in Wangaratta.

Marc Nichols, a secondary school student at Mowbray College in Deer Park and a VET-in-Schools (VETiS) participant from VU, was part of a gold-medal winning team in carpentry.

To compete as assistants, the names of VETiS participants were placed in a hat and randomly assigned to teams of more experienced apprentices.

Medallists may be eligible to compete in an international competition in Canada in 2009, or they can apply for prestigious scholarships.

WorldSkills Australia is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1981 to provide young Australians with an opportunity to compete against their peers in their chosen trade, as well as to celebrate skills' excellence.

David Jackson and Jamie Morrison are available for interview.
A photo of Jamie Morrison with his medal-winning signwork is also available.

Further information about WorldSkills Australia:
Ray Morrison, WorldSkills Victoria manager,
Ph: 0412 050 953 or email: rmorrison@kangan.edu.au.

Media Contact: Ann Marie Angebrandt, Media Officer
Marketing and Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 5487