TAFE Gippsland has built a strong reputation on the WorldSkills stage and 2026 is shaping up to be no exception.
From regional events through to national and international competitions, WorldSkills plays a vital role in promoting a strong skills culture, celebrating excellence and showcasing the power of vocational education, trades and apprenticeships. For Gippsland students, it’s also a pathway to exciting career opportunities on a global stage.
Held every two years, the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions take place across 34 regions nationwide and in 2026, Gippsland will host 11 competitions this August.
Competition dates include:
3 August – Carpentry, Construction Steel Work, Electrical Control, Electrical Installations, Fitting, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing & Heating, Turning, Welding, Sheetmetal
6 August – Cookery
TAFE Gippsland Director Educational Delivery Linda Austin said that while the organisation has celebrated significant WorldSkills success in recent years, the value of the competition extends well beyond medals.
“WorldSkills competitions are designed by industry and skills experts and assess an individual’s knowledge, practical skills and employability against strict criteria,” Ms Austin said.
“This allows us to benchmark our training and apprentice programs, ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality training that meets industry standards and supports strong employment outcomes for our students once they complete their apprenticeship or traineeship.”
Following the regional competitions, winners progress to the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Adelaide in 2027, where they compete to be named the best in the country. From there, the top competitors may be selected to join Team Australia — the Skillaroos — representing the nation at the WorldSkills International Competition.
TAFE Gippsland is proud to announce that electrical apprentice Tom Harms has been officially announced as part of the Skillaroos team and will compete on the international stage in Shanghai later this year.
“It’s been a demanding two-year selection process for Tom to secure his place on Team Australia against the nation’s most talented apprentices in his field,” Ms Austin said.
“To make it this far is an outstanding achievement, and we’ll be following his journey every step of the way, along with the other 38 apprentices, trainees and students representing Australia.”
