Australia’s homegrown apprentices and trainees are toasting to a fantastic team effort after returning triumphant from the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in São Paulo, Brazil.

Proving to be fierce competition for the other 54 countries taking part, the Aussie contingent earned three silver and two bronze medals. Medallions of Excellence awards were given out to 10 additional Australians, including our very own Adele Di Bella and John Reminis.

Representing TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute, Adele impressed judges in the Patisserie and Confectionery category, while rising star and latest addition to the Australian Baking Team John Reminis did TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute proud in the Bakery category.

John and Adele’s strong performance was the culmination of two years’ intensive competitions and one-on-one training. Their journey started with their medal-winning performance at the regional level in 2013, advancing them to the National Competition held in Perth last year. After wowing the competition at the inaugural WorldSkills Oceania Competition in New Zealand in April, the pair was chosen to represent their country at the competition in Brazil.

WorldSkills Australia chief executive officer Mark Callaghan said the Skillaroos are living proof Australia is at the forefront of vocational education and training excellence.

“We are very proud of the hard work these amazing young Australians have dedicated to their professional development the last two years. They are excellent ambassadors for their respective industries, and we hope that their achievements serve to show other young people that vocational education and training pathways are viable first choice career options,” he said.

Meanwhile, the next generation of apprentices, trainees and students are competing in WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions, hoping to follow in the Skillaroos’ footsteps and represent their country at the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.