SUPPLIERS SPONSOR WORLDSKILLS COMPETITORS

Print industry suppliers’ association Visual Connections will once again sponsor competitors in the Australia WorldSkills competition.

Visual Connections is providing $10,000 in funding, to cover the travel and accommodation costs for the sign and graphics students and teachers who attend the 2025 competition.

The competition takes place 12-14 June next year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

WorldSkills, which was established in 1981, is designed to promote excellence in skills-based trades. The Australian competition sees the 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,” said Sarah Moore, general manager 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 added.

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 programme, Moore says the Australian title is highly valued.

“Over the years, WorldSkills Australia has helped 100,000 young apprentices compete at a national and international level, validating their career choices, and helping them grow in confidence, make new connections, and build the professional relationships that we know will have such a positive effect on their careers and working lives,” said Moore.

“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,” she said.