7 Months ago 
Kirby was once again proud to be the category partner for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, held in Melbourne from 17-19 August.
The competition held at the MCEC saw the nation’s best apprentices and trainees across 55 skills compete for their national titles. Within the refrigeration and air-conditioning category nine competitors demonstrated their skills by mastering a refrigeration project that included building a small coolroom and refrigeration system, together with refrigeration and electrical fault-finding and other skills-based tasks.
We congratulate Floyd Lucas-Baxter, Canberra ACT for taking out the gold medal, and also congratulate silver medalist, Bailey Loenneker, East Coast QLD and bronze medallist, Blake Harris, Melbourne VIC. Two Certificate of Excellence awards were awarded to Spencer Wende, North QLD and Tyde Wharerau, Perth South WA.
A well-deserved congratulations also goes to Jade Morris – Perth South, Max Hunter – Sydney, Jacques Sourintha – Sydney and Ryan Attard – Brisbane for representing their states and reaching the national competition.
Kirby Marketing Manager Elizabeth Paparo said,
“The efforts of all competitors are commendable. It was a busy, high traffic environment with many onlookers and distractions that needed to be overcome. The competitors needed to decipher the project requirements and then focus on build, quality and timeliness across the 3-day competition. All while under the watchful eyes of the judging panel.”
The national championships were held alongside the Victorian Careers and Employment Expo. This national Skills Show gave all attendees (including school students), the opportunity to try-a-skill and discover potential career pathways. The event included over 100 training organisations and employers and over 20 hands-on activities to try out, including air-conditioning and refrigeration.
Kirby has proudly supported WorldSkills Australia for over 25 years. During the week of the national championship the business was awarded a Certificate of Merit from WorldSkills International in recognition of the long-standing partnership. It is one of a few awards that are given to WorldSkills Partners from member nations for their long-standing support and contribution to skills excellence through WorldSkills in their country.
It recognises Kirby’s support regionally, nationally and internationally via the Partnership for Refrigeration & Air Conditioning with WorldSkills Australia to supporting competitors, judges, mentors and Registered Training Organisations, promoting career pathways and skills excellence.
Congratulations to the WorldSkills Australia team for a successful competition week and Skills Show. Special mention to our industry TAFE teachers that formed the judging committee.
The next stop for selected national champions across all disciplines will be the WorldSkills International Competition hosted in Lyon, France in 2024.
