Three TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) students are bound for Brazil to represent Australia against the world’s best skill technicians at the 43rd WorldSkills International competition in August 2015.
Following their gold medal triumph at the recent Oceania WorldSkills competition, Floristry student Jessica Peters; Fashion Technology student Emma Hillier; and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning student Beau Kupris will be part of the 25-strong Skillaroos team in Brazil. 
The trio are “thrilled” to be representing Australia in Brazil.
“All the hard work and long hours of training have paid off,” Emma said. “The training by our world class mentors at TAFE SWSi has given us the confidence to take on the world’s best.”
Jessica said it was an “absolute dream come true” to wear the green and gold for Australia.
“Floristry is my passion and to be able to share my skill with the world will be more than I could ever ask for in this lifetime,” Jessica said.
TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute Director Peter Roberts congratulated the trio on being selected in the Skillaroos team and also paid tribute to dedication of the TAFE SWSi teachers and staff who contributed to their success.
“Our winning students have excelled in their individual trade areas and demonstrated their advanced skills and abilities learnt at the Institute by beating the best in Australia and then Oceania,” Mr Roberts said.
“We are very proud of their achievements and the excellence it represents and I wish them greatsuccess in Brazil.”
The WorldSkills Competition occurs every two years and is the biggest vocational education and skills showcase in the world. This year’s competition will see 59 countries represented by 1,176 experts and over 1,200 competitors competing in 50 skill categories. The Skillaroos will compete in 23 skills categories in the hopes of winning gold for Australia.
WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan said trades and skills competitions played a unique role in emphasising the importance of vocational education and training to local economies.
“Each member of the 2015 Skillaroos will not only represent their country but also their respective industries and, collectively, showcase the high quality of vocational education and training which exists in Australia,” Mr Callaghan said.
TAFE SWSi is one of Australia’s largest training organisations and has an enviable reputation for providing high quality skills training across a range of disciplines vital to growing the local, regional and state economies.
More than 21,000 students are enrolled across nine colleges in more than 400 courses ranging from certificate to degree programs.
TAFE SWSi also provides training for more apprentices than any other RTO in NSW and was awarded the 2013 Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.
For more information about TAFE SWSi courses please visit www.SWSi.edu.au or call 13 79 74.
