25 June 2025
TeamWA claimed 23 medals at the national 2025 WorldSkills National Championships, including seven from public schools.
The competition, held from June 12-14 in Brisbane, saw students go head-to-head with the best from around the country, demonstrating their skills and abilities across a range of industries and vocational education.
Manuel Payag from Girrawheen Senior High School won gold for VETis Wall and Floor Tiling. Photo provided by Worldskills Australia.
WA was represented in 74 competitions.
The seven public school medallists come from Dalyellup College, Harvey Senior High School, Ellenbrook Secondary College and Girrawheen Senior High School, from the fields of VET in Schools (VETiS) Bricklaying, VETiS Food and Beverage, VETiS Tourism, VETiS Wall and Floor Tiling and VETiS Automotive Services.
Girrawheen Senior High School student Manuel Payag won gold for VETis Wall and Floor Tiling and was excited to win.
“I felt amazing and proud of what I've done,” he said.
“The first day [of the competition] involved preparing material, tools, and most importantly was the drawing up of the shape of Australia upon the given-coloured tiles.
“The second day involved finishing the drawing and preparing to cut and shape the tiles using a table tile saw and sandpaper.
“The third and last day involved me applying the tile glue on the wall, setting the tiles on the glued wall, and the last action was grouting the surface of the project.”
Manuel said he enjoyed the experience of the competition and all the people he met.
Ellenbrook Secondary College won a gold medal as well as taking out two silver medals and one bronze.
Brooke Elmer, Archie Babic, Connor Clarke and Kayla Vanos walked away with silver, bronze, silver and gold respectively.
Vet coordinator, Barbara Woulfe, said the fantastic results for the Ellenbrook students was thanks to months of training and their dedication to their trades.
“It was a proud moment hearing Ellenbrook Secondary College announced multiple times,” she said.
“Our students had competed against the best in the country and demonstrated they were more than capable.”
The school has a strong focus on VET which has led the program and students to win numerous awards in previous WorldSkills competitions.
“Competing on a national stage has given our students a real sense of achievement and belief in their own abilities, boosting their confidence and affirming their passion in their chosen trade,” said Ms Woulfe.
“For some this may open doors to future training, apprenticeships, or employment opportunities.”
TeamWA was also awarded 17 Certificates of Excellence, recognising outstanding performances in their competition skills, with six coming from public schools.
Gold medallists
- Riley Gibson (Dalyellup College) VETiS Bricklaying
- Paulyn Kyle Valdepena (Harvey Senior High School) VETiS Food and Beverage
- Kayla Vanos (Ellenbrook Secondary College) VETiS Tourism
- Manuel Payag (Girrawheen Senior High School) VETiS Wall and Floor Tiling
SIlver medallists
- Brooke Elmer (Ellenbrook Secondary College) VETiS Tourism
- Connor Clarke (Ellenbrook Secondary College) VETiS Wall and Floor Tiling
Bronze medallist
- Archie Babich (Ellenbrook Secondary College) VETiS Automotive Services
Certificates of Excellence
- Christian Lehmann (Ellenbrook Secondary College ) VETiS Carpentry
- Elena Loo (Aveley Secondary College) VETiS Bricklaying
- Ava Smith (Aveley Secondary College) VETiS Food and Beverage
- William McClarty (WA College of Agriculture Harvey) VETiS Primary Industries
- Molly McCuish (Team WA flag bearer) (Champion Bay Senior High School) VETiS Hairdressing
Read more about the winners here.
Learn more about WorldSkills on their website.