Wishing all our WorldSkills competitors the very best of luck this week, as the 2025 WorldSkills National Championships and Skills Show kicks off in Brisbane on 12 June.
This prestigious three-day event brings together Australia’s top young apprentices, trainees, and students, all competing for the title of National Champion in their respective trades and skills.
Paul Clerks, Victorian Team Manager and TAFE Gippsland staff member, is proud to be accompanying the team alongside mentors Dale Dye and John McKenzie.
“Each of these students has shown incredible commitment and talent to make it this far. Representing your state at the National Championships is no small feat—it's a testament to their hard work, skill and professionalism,” Paul said.
“We’re thrilled to have such strong representation from TAFE Gippsland and look forward to seeing our competitors shine on the national stage.”
Representing TAFE Gippsland on the national stage
TAFE Gippsland is incredibly proud to have nine talented students representing Victoria at this year’s championships, across a range of disciplines. They have already achieved excellence at regional and state levels to earn their place on Team Victoria.
For many, the official WorldSkills training camp in Melbourne last weekend was the first time they’d met. But it didn’t take long for strong connections to form as they embraced what it means to be part of this major event — one that attracts over 20,000 visitors, including industry leaders, employers, education providers and government representatives.
Jack Barnes, one of our students competing in the Turning category, summed it up best: "Funny how the weekend started with one stranger picking up another stranger and by the end of the weekend you’d think that we have known each other more than two days."
Our 2025 WorldSkills competitors are:
- Construction Steelwork – Reuben Pinkerton (Kennedy Trailers)
- Electrical Control – Abbey Jeffs (AGL)
- Electrical Installation – Tom Harms (Marathon Electrical)
- Painting and Decorating – Callum Buckland (Buckland Painting and Decorating)
- Plumbing – Harrison Austin (Chila Plumbing)
- Welding – Amber Leyshan (AGL)
- Turning – Jack Barnes (Marcus Engineering)
- Fitting – Tobie Adams (Superior Energy)
- VDSS Hairdressing – Kiri Higgins (Gippsland Grammar)
Part of the TAFE Gippsland contingent of teachers and students heading off to WorldSkills Nationals. L–R: Braden Giblett, Shane Warford, Reuben Pinkerton, Amber Leyshan, Dale Dye, Jack Barnes, Tobie Adams
The WorldSkills way
Whether it’s welding, hairdressing or electrical control, our students are demonstrating the high standards of hands-on training and industry excellence that TAFE Gippsland is proud to deliver.
We’ll be cheering you on from afar and celebrating every achievement throughout the competition.
Good luck, team—bring it home!
Follow us on social media for updates from Brisbane and stories behind our competitors.
👉 WorldSkills Australia Website
👉 TAFE Gippsland Facebook
👉 TAFE Gippsland Instagram