The 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships took place over 17–19 August, and the results are now in. Throughout the course of the competition, apprentices in a variety of trades (including patisserie and retail baking—bread among others) competed with each other to take out the titles of Australia’s best apprentice in each of their respective categories.

Competitors were scored based on criteria set by WorldSkills, and those with the highest points were award gold, silver, and bronze medals. Those scoring 700 or more points on the WorldSkills marking scale but who didn’t place first, second, or third (and who were, therefore, not awarded a medal) received a Certificate of Excellence. This recognises those who demonstrated high levels of excellence in their categories.

In the Patisserie category, the gold medal was won by Renee Bridges from Illawarra, NSW, the silver by Sally Fitzsimons from Sydney, NSW, and the bronze by Bianca Piromalli from Riverina Murray, NSW.

Retail baking—bread was won by Oli Parkinson from Brisbane, Qld, followed by Lestatt Hammond-hurst from MidCoast, NSW, in second place, and Jade Reichstein from the Northern Territory in third place.

The full list of results can be found here.

Following on from the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, the most elite competitors from that level of competition will be chosen to join the Skillaroos—the team that WorldSkills Australia sends to compete in the WorldSkills World Championships against all other member countries. Each Skillaroo will train with their expert trainers and mentors in preparation for the next international competition, which will take place in 2024.

Last year’s international WorldSkills Championship saw Rachel Crawford take out fourth place in the baking category of the competition. Rachel was recently selected to be part of WorldSkills Champion Trust for the region of Oceania and ASEAN, stepping into the role to promote involvement in WorldSkills projects, initiatives, and activities around the world.