City Focus On Skills Training

Newcastle Herald

Friday March 2, 2007

THE effort to redress skills shortages now being faced by a range of industries nationally is being stepped up by TAFE NSW WorldSkills.

The bid to encourage more young people to undertake vocational skills training will focus on the Hunter over four days in May.

The Taste of TAFE and Try-A-Trade International Skills Showcase will be held from May 23 to 26 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

Twenty-five sites will feature a wide range of trades and vocational skills ranging from autobody repair and beauty care through to hairdressing and wall and floor tiling.

TAFE NSW WorldSkills manager Steve Hornery said entry to the showcase would be free.

"WorldSkills Australia is a dynamic national organisation that has been actively celebrating and promoting the standards and status of vocational training and skills excellence for 25 years," Mr Hornery said.

"WorldSkills Australia is our country's premier showcase of youth skill and trade excellence.

"Our mission is to challenge young people, their teachers, trainers and employers to achieve world-class standards in work skills and to promote the status of vocational education and training across Australia."

Mr Hornery said the cause was promoted through a program of competitions.

"Our challenge is to encourage Australians to celebrate vocational education and training and to make Australians aware that to learn a skill, to choose a skill-based career, is one of the most important decisions a young person and their family will ever make."

Competition is held nationally and internationally.

In November this year 28 of Australia's best young trade and skill champions will board a flight for Shizuoka in Japan for their biggest career challenge to date.

Team Australia will not only be competing for gold but will demonstrate to the rest of the world the high level of vocational education and training now available within Australia's education system.

Two people from the Hunter have been included in Team Australia.

Luke Gallagher, who works for Dangar Smash Repairs at Mayfield, will compete in autobody repair (panel beating) and Scent Beauty Therapy employee Holley Browne will compete in beauty care.

Scent Beauty is at Mount Hutton.