Mark Vender
Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Patrick Brennan has claimed a Bronze medal at the 45th WorldSkills International Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Russian champion Akeksandr Leushin shared the gold with Korea’s JuHwan, the pair scoring 747 and 745 respectively, ahead of Brennan on 739. In total there were 28 competitors in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning category.
Brennan, along with 14 other young Australian apprentices and tradespeople known as the Skillaroos, have been in Russia for the past week competing in the tournament. Crowds of more than 250,000 watched talented young people from 66 counties compete for gold, silver and bronze medals and the title of world champion in their skill.
The competition itself was held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre, a purpose-built centre constructed specifically for WorldSkills International, on a plot of 74.8 hectares near the Kazan International Airport. Results were announced at the closing ceremony on Tuesday, August 27 at the Kazan Arena Stadium, one of the venues of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As a country, Australia placed an incredible eighth in the world overall. As well as Brennan, three of his fellow Skillaroos also came away with medals. Clinton Larkings won silver in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category; Patrick Keating won bronze in Plumbing and Heating; and Maxine Colligan won bronze as well as the Best in Nation award (for Australia’s highest competition score) in the Car Painting skill.
“We are all very impressed with the performance of the team,” says WorldSkills Australia General Manager Brigitte Collins. “They showcased the power of excellence and demonstrated the strength of vocational education and training in Australia.
“Our internationally recognised experts demonstrated, once again, their capability and dedication. The Skillaroos, Team Australia and the volunteer workforce should all feel very proud of what they accomplished here in Kazan, Russia. Today we look toward the WorldSkills Australia National Championship and the 46th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai.”
Back on home soil, this week is National Skills Week. The series of events is a celebration of the talents, career pathways, and the positive impact practical and vocational learnings can have for employers, employees and schools, nationwide.
Feature image: Brennan, Go and Leushin (L-R) at the awards ceremony. Source: WorldSkills Australia.
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