Visual Connections has announced it will once again sponsor competitors in the WorldSkills competition, providing $10,000 in funding to cover the travel and accommodation costs for the sign and graphics students and teachers who will attend the 2025 competition, in June 2025 in Brisbane.
WorldSkills 2023 Sign & Graphics winners (l-r) Caitlin Wilson (Gold), Elizabeth Gasparini (Silver) and Lauren Green (Bronze) with Robyn Frampton ( Marketing, Visual Connections)
WorldSkills, which was established in 1981, is designed to promote excellence in skills-based trades. The Australian competition, to be held in Brisbane in June 2025, sees the very best apprentices from around the country compete over three days with others from the same industry group, to determine the ‘best of the best’.
“Skills shape the world, and the WorldSkills program is designed to make sure young Australians have access to vocational education and training that measures up on an international stage with all the opportunities that provides,” says Sarah Moore, General Manager of Visual Connections.
Sarah Moore, GM of Visual Connections
“WorldSkills is a fantastic event where you can see trade apprentices in everything from carpentry to bricklaying, electrical and plumbing, hairdressing and graphic design, dressmaking and signage, showcasing their skills, and it’s always great to see our industry represented alongside the more familiar trades.
“As well as encouraging and mentoring our industry apprentices, our sponsorship will provide an important platform to promote industry careers and apprenticeships to a wide audience, through communications, participation in events and Try'A'Skill events,” she adds.
The Australian winners of each category which is represented in the WorldSkills international competition are then able to go on to compete against fellow apprentices from around the world and, while sign apprentices are not yet included in the international competition program, Sarah says the Australian title is highly valued. The 2024 World Championships begin in Lyon, France on September 9th and a team of 32 young Australians will be competing there.
“Over the years, WorldSkills Australia has helped more than 100,000 young apprentices compete at a national and international level, validating their career choices and growing in confidence, making new connections, and building the professional relationships that we know will have such a positive effect on their careers and working lives,” says Moore.
She notes: “Visual Connections has been involved with WorldSkills over many years as part of our commitment to training and apprenticeships, which is so vital to the future of the print, sign and graphics industries and we are delighted to once again support the signage students and teachers to be part of the 2025 competition."
Click here to find out more about WorldSkills Australia.
