A Volunteers Perspective- Day 1

Day One

Cars, cows, computers and more filled the halls of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as over 500 competitors converged to compete in the 2010 WorldSkills Australia National Competition.  Fighting it out for the status of Australia’s best within their respective fields, as well as the chance to represent the nation at the 2011 WorldSkills International competition to be held in London, there was sure to be many a showdown.

One of the highlights of the first day of competition was the bricklaying challenge, in which competitors had to complete their challenge within twenty minutes before an enthusiastic audience.  The bricklayers also began work on their major project, with foundations evident by the end of the day.  Also starting major projects were Painting and Decorating, Wall and Floor Tiling and Landscape Construction. 

Some of the most popular skills included Cookery, with the crowds drooling over the incredibly intricate fruit platters created by the competitors. Onlookers were also fascinated by the hairstyles created by the Hairdressing participants and envious of those volunteers receiving massages as part of the Beauty Care challenge.

Competing skills were not limited to the traditional trades, with unexpected categories including Business Services and Printing and Graphic Arts.  Whilst these competitions were not as exciting for the passing audience, those competing worked to produce stunning visuals through their skills with design software. 

Also present within the Convention Centre was the National Careers and Employment Expo, which ensured a constant flow of schoolchildren moving through the competition site, providing an electric atmosphere surrounding the various competition areas. 

Visitors could also participate in the Try’aTrade program, which allows people to interact with professionals in various skill areas and gain an insight into that particular trade.  Visitors built frames, potted plants, designed mosaics and pressed sheet metal, whilst learning more about potential careers.

The first day of competition provided participants the first taste of competition at a National level, allowing them to cast off nerves and settle into competing.  With first day jitters aside and major projects beginning to take shape, the stage was set for an even more impressive Day 2.

- Abby Deakin