In summary

  • Swinburne University of Technology hosted the WorldSkills 2024 Regional Competition Awards Ceremony
  • Fourteen Swinburne Vocational Education and Training (VET) students were recognised for their success in seven different skill areas
  • These winners have the opportunity to compete in the national competition at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, 12-14 June 2025 

Swinburne University of Technology hosted the WorldSkills 2024 Regional Competition Awards Night in February 2025, with victorious students celebrating their successes with loved ones and teachers.

Students from Swinburne and other TAFE institutions across Melbourne’s east participated in the WorldSkills Regional Competition late last year. WorldSkills Australia is a social enterprise that promotes and builds a skills culture to celebrate excellence and showcase vocational education and training (VET).

Competitions are run from a grassroots level and progress to national and international levels, allowing students to showcase their skills before an audience of over 200,000 spectators. 

Additive Manufacturing WorldSkills Regional Competition 2024

Competitors and their guests were welcomed by Swinburne’s Director of Trades and Engineering Technologies, Bryan Ornsby. Over 100 gathered to celebrate the regional competition, cheering on competitors as they received their awards.

Announced by the WorldSkills Victorian State Manager, Mick Prato, 14 Swinburne students were awarded medals in their respective skills.  Overall, Swinburne had 31 students in their skill category. These students will have the opportunity to represent the region on a National stage in Brisbane in June 2025.

“WorldSkills competitions allow VET students to demonstrate the skills they are learning in the classroom and workplace in a very practical way. The competition environment demonstrates excellence, develops the skills needed by industry and showcases Vocational Education and Training as a valuable and rewarding career
pathway,” said Mick Prato, WorldSkills Victorian State Manager.

WorldSkills Regional Competition Awards Ceremony 2024 hosted by Swinburne University of Technology at the Hawthorn campus

From Swinburne competitors, Thomas Upton was awarded two gold medals in the manufacturing and engineering technology trade area, one gold medal for additive manufacturing and another for his performance in mechatronics.

Within the same trade area, Zac Chalman brought home the gold in welding. Felix McPhail also received the gold medal in Industry 4.0. This skill relates to connecting the digital and physical world by using technologies such as machine-to-machine communication and artificial intelligence.

Two of our students, Blayde Dajnko and Al Goode, were awarded gold medals in the Bricklaying skill under construction and building technology. Brad Parry was also awarded a gold medal in the Plumbing and Heating skill under the same trade area.

Oliver Hawkins also demonstrated talent as they were awarded the gold medal in Graphic Design Technology within the creative arts and fashion trade area.

Alexandros Kyriakopoulus receiving one of his two bronze medals in Additive Manufacturing and Mechatronics from Bryan Ornsby

Swinburne plumbing teacher, David Centracchio, reminisced of his days in the WorldSkills regional competitions. Having participated for two consecutive years, David spoke of the joy that he got from the competitive nature of the event, and the pride that grew in himself as an apprentice when he saw the faith his teachers had in him to compete.

“I think that’s what I enjoy in this. When I go up and speak to a student and invite them, they feel good about themselves.”

David’s fellow plumbing teacher, Stephen Neasey, agreed. “You do see a sparkle in the student’s face,” he said.

In June 2025, three Swinburne students will be representing the region at the National competition in Brisbane. Jackson Seccombe will be competing in additive manufacturing, Blayde Dajnko in bricklaying, and Samuel Maiden in graphic design technology. 

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