May 19, 2018
Kingaroy plumber Dylan Nightingale will be flying the flag for Queensland when he competes at the WorldSkills National Championships in Sydney next month.
Dylan, 21, has been selected by WorldSkills Australia to compete against the best up and coming tradespeople in the country as part of Skill Shows Australia at the International Convention Centre from June 2-4.
He started his plumbing career while still at Kingaroy State High School, beginning a school-based apprenticeship in Year 11 and working two days a week with Kingaroy Plumbing Works.
When he finished school, Dylan started work full-time with the company, quickly qualifying as a 2nd Year apprentice.
He recently completed his four-year apprenticeship and has started a Certificate IV in Plumbing at TAFE Queensland.
Dylan earned his place at the National Championships after a strong performance at a regional WorldSkills competition held in Caloundra last year.
At that event, Dylan had to complete various tasks laid out on a square metre board. He was judged on accuracy and speed.
This time around, he will have to complete the basic plumbing for a bathroom and laundry, working six hours a day over the Saturday-Monday.
When he won the regional competition, Dylan was presented with a gold medal and a $500 voucher from Reece Plumbing.
If he’s successful in Sydney, he will win a trip to Russia to compete at the 45th WorldSkills international competition in 2019.
More than 400 competitors from across Australia will be competing for the title of “national champion” in Sydney in 50 trade and skill categories.
Dylan will be competing in the Plumbing and Heating category.
WorldSkills Australia CEO Brett Judd said WorldSkills Australia was nurturing and developing the skills of young Australians.
He said events such as Skills Show Australia 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,” Mr 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.”
