Students preparing for WorldSkills competitions

24th July 03

Students throughout the North Coast Institute are in training for regional WorldSkills competitions, which will be held at Port Macquarie and Wauchope Campuses in the first week of August.

WorldSkills Australia is a not-for-profit organisation which conducts trade and skill competitions to challenge young people to achieve work skills excellence. Through strong networks with government, industry and the community who help run the events, over 44,000 young people around Australia have participated in competitions.

Jodie Stokes a student at the North Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie Campus, was a competitor in the fashion section at the National finals held in Newcastle last year, where over 600 competitors from around Australia competed.

“It was great, you don’t realise how big the competition is until you get there, the atmosphere is very exciting. I would encourage anyone to go into the competitions as it provides you with additional skills and prepares you for the next step in your career” said Jodie.

Jodie’s employer, Jennifer Taylor of the Curtain Connection says of Jodie, “she is fantastic asset to our business. Jodie has outstanding skills for her age, the more challenges she has, the better she likes it. The customers love her and I have received lots of comments such as how capable she is”.

WorldSkills Australia aims to encourage every young skill practitioner to achieve his or her full potential and to take up the challenge of comparing their skills with their peers within their industry group.

Competition programs highlight the importance of Vocational Education and Training as a post school option. The program assists with academic motivation of many young people by focusing on the ‘fun’ side of learning through interesting and diverse skill challenges.

Regional winners from the Mid North Coast competitions this year will have the opportunity to compete at the WorldSkills National competition to be held in Brisbane 2004.