CDU TAFE students to showcase their skills nationally at WorldSkills

Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE and Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT) are sending a cohort of ten students from across the Northern Territory to the National WorldSkills Competition in Brisbane this week.  

Each participant will compete in their category against students from across the country with the chance to join the Australia’s Skills Squad.

If successful, students will have the opportunity to travel to compete at an international level in Shanghai, China, in 2026 with up to 85 other countries. 

The NT squad is made of students of varying ages who won their local regional competition, from across different trades and industries including Cookery, Electrical, Hairdressing, Plumbing and Heating, VETis Food and Beverage, VETis Make-up, Carpentry, Beauty Therapy and VETis Business. 

Among the NT squad are four students from the CDU Alice Springs Campus including the youngest NT competitor Lucy Southam who at just sixteen years of age will showcase her skills in VETis Make-up. 

The Alice Springs cohort said they were grateful for the additional support they’d received from their lecturers and employers to get them competition ready, and were looking forward to meeting new people, expanding their skills and just having a go. 

Pro Vice-Chancellor and CDU TAFE Chief Executive Mike Hamilton said WorldSkills was a chance for our students and staff to display their skills and celebrate the talented young people from the Northern Territory.

“It is a privilege to be able to showcase just some of the talent we have from across the NT,” Mr Hamilton said. 

“This year not only do we have students competing, but we also have two staff members who are part of the WorldSkills judges, highlighting the quality of teachers and mentor’s our CDU TAFE students have access to.

“I wish all the competitors’ good luck and know that we are proud of you already for representing the NT and we are all cheering you on.” 

The WorldSkills 2025 National Championships will be held in Brisbane from June 12 to 14, with competitions across more than 60 skill and trade areas including carpentry, landscape construction, plumbing, welding, cookery, retail butchery and beauty therapy.

WorldSkills Australia will be livestreaming some of the events for those at home wanting to cheer on their teams.