WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions 2024
Throughout 2024, TasTAFE hosted a number of WorldSkills Regional Competitions on our campuses.
TasTAFE apprentices have shone at this year’s National Championship and Skills Show hosted by WorldSkills Australia.
13 TasTAFE learners and apprentices tested their skills and knowledge against the nation’s best apprentices and trainees in their chosen field of expertise. Six Tasmanian competitors were awarded medals in the following categories:
- Zarian Simcox - Gold Medal – Turning (engineering) - Hobart
- Austen Perry - Gold Medal – Retail Butchery - Smithton
- Ryan Geale - Gold Medal - Carpentry - Launceston
- Jack Sheehan - Silver Medal - Sheetmetal Technology - Hobart
- William Lawrie - Silver Medal - Cabinetmaking - Hobart
- Liam Eccles - Bronze Medal - Construction Steel Work – Devonport
A special mention also goes to Rubi Everard (Beauty Therapy) and Kyran Speed (Bricklaying) who received a Medallion of Excellence in their competitions.
TasTAFE Interim-CEO Will McShane congratulated Tasmania’s competitors, medallists, and those who contribute to their success.
“I heartily congratulate all our apprentices who competed at the 2025 WorldSkills National Championship and Skills Show.
“Our apprentices gave up their free time to compete at the highest national level and demonstrate their craftsmanship against 600 of their peers from every state and territory in Australia.”
“I also commend our staff for their teaching expertise and knowledge, and for their unwavering support of our apprentices. TasTAFE staff travelled to Brisbane to support our learners and applied their skills and knowledge to assist in the role of judging,” he said.
TasTAFE’s Brendan Cordwell, Kylie Clare, Courtney Page, Aston Kuhn, Chris Brown, Michael Schnakenberg, David Mittelheuser, Leanne Colgrave, Temira Bunton, Kimbra Lockley, Darren Scott, Simon Broader, Allyson Davies, and Sean Crane contributed to the success of TasTAFE learners attending WorldSkills 2025.
Paul McKay, Josh Boon, Troy Bester, Danny Wolfe, Marisa Bain and Benoit Marchand generously gave up their time to perform in judging roles.
Also playing a valuable role in the success of our apprentices are their employers who support and encourage them to do their best to and to become part of a skilled and successful workforce for the future.
WorldSkills Australia competitions are Australia’s biggest vocational education and excellence competitions. Every two years, more than 500 regional competitions are held in 34 regions across Australia. They see vocationally-trained participants challenge themselves to achieve excellence against their peers in practical skills challenges designed by industry experts.
Photos: WorldSkills Australia.