Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (17:12): The WorldSkills competition brings together the most talented vocational students and apprentices from across the globe to showcase their skill, precision and passion for their chosen field. Twenty-nine young and incredibly talented Australians represented our country in September and competed at WorldSkills in Lyon, France.
Our Skillaroos were put through their paces and earned their green and gold through a series of regional competitions and a national championship series. The Illawarra was a stand-out region, with four representatives honing their skills on the world stage: Michael Bowen, Joseph Cramp, Ethan Everett and Hannah Gerritsen.
First up, Michael Bowen represented Australia in industrial mechanics. Michael's journey into industrial mechanics started at a TAFE open day, where a display sparked his curiosity for understanding how things work. He quickly honed his practical skills and deepened his knowledge of mechanical systems through home based education, which focused on a more hands-on approach to learning. Michael was driven by a passion to not only showcase his skills but also learn from peers around the world and strengthen his understanding of the field.
For our second contestant, Joseph Cramp, his journey into construction steelwork was influenced by both his father, who was a mechanic, and his metalwork classes in high school. Encouraged by his TAFE teacher to participate in WorldSkills, Joseph embraced the opportunity, which led to a rapid growth in his skills. He dedicated significant time to training, balancing full-time work with intensive practice sessions. With the guidance and support of his mentors and family, he was able to manage full-time work and the intense training required to compete on the world stage.
The next two incredibly talented people not only represented the Illawarra but also proudly flew the flag for our electorate of Cunningham. Ethan Everett's passion for bricklaying is deeply rooted in his family, with his father serving as a seasoned WorldSkills judge and volunteer. Transitioning from school to an apprenticeship, Ethan found his true calling through hands-on experience, supported by a network of family and his employer. Ethan's dedication to excellence was evident when he secured gold at the national competition.
He was mentored by Andrew Hosking, who instilled the philosophy to fight for every single millimetre. With this philosophy, Ethan obtained a Medallion for Excellence. The Medallion for Excellence is awarded to competitors who achieve scores above a global benchmark, indicating that Ethan's skills are among the best in the world. Ethan aspires to become a WorldSkills ambassador, inspiring young tradespeople to pursue their passions with similar determination to his.
Last but not least, Hannah Gerritsen represented us in hairdressing. Hannah developed a passion for hairdressing watching online tutorials, and her very supportive friends and family let her practice the techniques she watched. Due to the unwavering support of her employer along with her TAFE teacher, Hannah gained greater confidence in her abilities and took the French competition by storm.
Despite facing scepticism for choosing an apprenticeship over traditional schooling, Hannah remained focused and improved her abilities, drawing on strength from her parents and industry mentors. She values the deep connection she gets to form with clients, appreciating the trust they place in her craft and the solace they find in her company. Hannah was a cut above the rest and claimed a Medallion for Excellence for her exceptional work during the competition in Lyon.
To Michael, Joseph, Ethan and Hannah, congratulations on representing our country and our region so proudly. The success of all of our Skillaroos not only highlights the incredible skill and dedication of these young Australians but also emphasises the critical importance of vocational education and training in our country. It is through initiatives like these that we have seen the true value of investing in vocational education, ensuring that we have a skilled workforce capable of driving our economy forward.
That's why the Albanese Labor government is committed to supporting TAFE and expanding opportunities for Australians through vocational education. We have already delivered on our commitment of 500,000 fee-free TAFE places, and now a re-elected Albanese Labor government will continue this investment with a further 100,000 fee-free places made available each and every year. By making TAFE more accessible, we are not only supporting individuals but also addressing critical skill shortages in industries that are vital to Australia's future.
Congratulations, Michael, Joseph, Ethan and Hannah.
