Students will go tool-to-tool at VU's City Tower and Sunshine Campuses after VU was chosen to host 12 rounds of the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition.
From 15 July, competitions will be staged in seven key skills areas - beauty, barbering, hairdressing, signs and graphics, plumbing, bricklaying and engineering (welding).
Students' skills will be tested in real-world conditions and judged by experts against industry benchmarks.
The biennial competition aims to uncover the nation's top young talent across more than 60 trades and skills, showcasing apprentices, trainees and students enrolled in VET studies who display excellence in their chosen area.
VU's Chief TAFE Officer Wayne Butson said being selected as a host venue reflected VU's strong focus on hands-on learning, and commitment to growing skills in priority sectors.
"Hosting WorldSkills Australia regional events reinforces VU's reputation as a leader in skills excellence and deepens the partnerships with employers that open real job pathways for our students," Mr Butson said.
"It also gives our staff a valuable chance to develop professionally as coaches, mentors and judges. WorldSkills is an important celebration of emerging vocational talent, and the excitement and energy the students bring is truly contagious."
The regional rounds are a critical first step in the competition, with winners in each category going on to represent their state at the national championships in Adelaide in 2027 - and potentially, on the global stage for Australia's team, the Skillaroos.
Certificate III Signs and Graphics student Jack Shalders, 19, has been preparing for the event by applying vinyl signage on his car roof.
"I've had the squeegee out after TAFE, and I think I'm pretty good to go," said Jack, a first-year apprentice.
"I'm a bit nervous but at the end of the day I'm just going to give it a go; it's a great opportunity to show your skills. I want to open my own signwriting business one day; I like the creativity involved and all the people you meet."
VU has a proud history of WorldSkills participation, particularly in hair, beauty, and signs and graphics.
Student Dylan Di Martino won a bronze medal in Plumbing and Heating at the International WorldSkills Championship in Brazil in 2015, while Darren Barnes took home bronze in Welding at the national event in Melbourne in 2016.
2026 VU regional competition dates
- 15 & 22 July - Signs and Graphics (Sunshine Campus): Competitors will assessed on skills including designing a portrait banner and corflute sign, and applying digital print and vinyl lettering to an uneven surface.
- 29 July - Plumbing (Sunshine): Tasks include installing plumbing and gas-fitting components and conducting compliance tests.
- 29 July - Signs and Graphics (Sunshine)
- 30 July - Plumbing (Sunshine)
- 4 August - Bricklaying (Sunshine): Competitors will lay walls and piers (supporting pillars) using clay bricks and concrete masonry blocks.
- 5 & 12 August - Signs and Graphics (Sunshine)
- 30 August - Barbering, Beauty and Hairdressing (City Tower Campus): The three separate competitions include men's fades, facial treatments, arm waxes and women's updo styles.
- 17 September - Welding (Sunshine): Competitors will join metal components using two different welding methods.
