Abbey Ulrich, a young fitter & machinist from Wollongong, has been selected by WorldSkills Australia to compete against the best up and coming Australian tradespeople at the WorldSkills National Championships, to be held in Sydney in June.
Supported by the New South Wales Government, the National Championships are part of Skills Show Australia 2018, which will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) from Saturday, June 2 to Monday, June 4.
Over 400 competitors from across the country will vie for the title of ‘National Champion’ in more than 50 trade and skill categories.
Ulrich, 18, is a student at TAFE NSW Wollongong and employed by Programmed in Wollongong. She will compete in the Fitting competition at the Skills Show.
She earned her spot at the National Championship after a strong performance at the 2017 WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition in Illawarra.
"Being chosen to compete at Skills Show 2018 in the National Championships is such an honour and I can’t wait to see what I can achieve," Ulrich said.
"I’m very grateful to WorldSkills Australia for this opportunity, and to my employer, Programmed Wollongong, and TAFE NSW Wollongong."
Ulrich said being a woman in her traditionally male-dominated trade was challenging at times, but the support she has received from co-workers was amazing.
"Fitting is a trade that is a great starting point for getting into the mechanical area – but it’s still a male dominated industry. It would be great to have more women in the trade – you should be seen the same no matter your gender," she said.
Out of 50 skills in the National Championships, over 30 have female representation, which is the most in the competition’s history. Over 100 women will compete in a wide variety of skills from heavy vehicle mechanics through to electrical installation.
"For the National Championships, I want to train two days a week after work, get into the workshop a bit more and develop my skills more along with my time management so I can compete at my best," she explained.
Ulrich said she was looking towards June with hope and excitement.
"I’d love to win! Just the satisfaction of getting there, the opportunity is awesome," she said.
"To be a part of a competition of this scale is incredible."
WorldSkills Australia CEO Brett Judd said WorldSkills Australia was nurturing and developing the skills of young Australians, and congratulated competitors for "excelling in their fields and reaching such a prestigious national level".
He said events such as Skills Show Australia 2018 highlighted the diverse opportunities available to those pursuing a trade or skill.
"Choosing a vocational education and training path can open up some incredible and varied career opportunities," Judd said.
"Many of the occupations predicted to have the strongest jobs growth in the next five years are offered by our vocational education and training sector."
Judd thanked the sponsors, supporters and volunteers for their tireless support of the Skills Show and National Championships.
The Skills Show will also feature: ---
F
