Albion Park’s Brett McPaul is heading to Abu Dhabi this Thursday to represent Australia at the 44th International WorldSkills competition.
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Mr McPaul, 21, works at Buckley Plant Maintenance, after completing his metal fabrication and welding apprenticeship at TAFE NSW Wollongong in 2016,
Within the next fortnight he will compete against the most skilful young people in his trade on the planet.
Worldskills is a global event known as the “Olympics for skills” and will run from October 14 to 19.
As part of the Australian team Mr McPaul will be among more than 1300 participants from 59 countries competing in 51 trades and skills categories.
He was selected as part of the elite 18-member Skillaroos team after winning gold at the regional, state and national level.
Winning gold again this month will make him a world champion.
TAFE NSW students and alumni form half the Skillaroos team.
All are aged between 19 and 22.
A metal fabrication and welding student at TAFE NSW Wollongong, Mr McPaul is employed by Buckley’s Plant Maintenance and during his apprenticeship his host employer was HVTC Illawarra.
He said he was nervous about the competition but has training several days a week leading up to this month’s international competition where he will find out his task on the first day.
“ I’m confident that the training has prepared me to compete to the best of my ability,” he said.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
