The country’s best Sign & Graphics apprentices, sponsored by Visual Connections, travelled to Melbourne to compete in the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, with Caitlin Wilson from Prowraps & Graphics in Penrith taking out top honours in the Sign & Graphics category.
(l-r) winners Caitlin Wilson (Gold), Elizabeth Gasparini (Silver) and Lauren Green (Bronze) with Robyn Frampton (Visual Connections)
The six apprentices, who hailed from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, performed a range of tasks from vehicle wrapping to channel letter fabrication over three days of competition from 17 – 19 August, impressing judges with their skill and enthusiasm.
Medals were presented on Sunday 20 August at the Plenary at the Melbourne Convention Centre in a great night of celebration emceed by 'Last Man Standing' Steven Bradbury OAM and featuring Djirri Djirri dance group and the Australian Girls Choir.
Caitlin Wilson from Prowraps & Graphics in Penrith took out top honours in the Sign & Graphics category with a Gold Medal. Elizabeth Gasparini from RMG Signs in Geelong was presented with Silver, and Lauren Green from Impression Signs & Designs in Rosebud was awarded the Bronze. They narrowly beat other finalists Shian van Montfoort and Tom Minchew from Sydney, and Hannah Thompson-Taylor from Perth.
The competition was co-located with the Victorian Careers Expo, with the Visual Connections / ASGA education initiative once again introducing young people to the sign, print and graphics industry.
‘Try a Skill’ activities were led by TAFE teachers, industry experts, supported by careers advisors from Australian Schools Industry Partnership (AusSIP) providing information on careers and training. A steady stream of students took part in the interactive display, with many registering their interest in finding out more.
The WorldSkills Australia National Championships ran from 17-19 August. It is the culmination of the WorldSkills Australia 2023 program which champions and promotes excellence in more than 50 trades and skills, putting entrants’ knowledge, practical skills and employability to the test. The competition starts at grass roots level in 34 regions around Australia, with winners progressing to State finals and then competing at the National level. Selected winners from these National Finals will progress to the international finals, travelling with the team of ‘Skillaroos’ to Lyon in France in 2024.
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