Shaun Meinecke won gold in the Welding category, and may join the team showing the world what the Illawarra’s young workers are made of. Photos: TAFE NSW.
The future of Illawarra trades and services is in good hands – as the world will soon remember.
Of 14 TAFE students from the region who competed in WorldSkills Australia’s National Championships, several came home with medals and the prospect of a place in the WorldSkills International Competition in China next year.
In Australia’s largest vocational education and skills excellence competition, these young Illawarriors faced off against hundreds of competitors for gold, silver and bronze in a diverse range of 63 skill areas developed through studies and work experience.
Among this sea of talent, Illawarra challengers brought home four golds, three silvers, a bronze and three Medallions for Excellence – in everything from barbering and bricklaying to cookery and carpentry.
This included Shaun Meinecke, who took gold for welding.
“I’m honestly stoked. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. I didn’t even think I’d make the podium, especially seeing the level of skill from the other 18 competitors,” he said.
On day two of the three-day competition, the welding competitors had to build a tank to hold water, known as a pressure vessel. Once finished, the tank was filled with water and pressurised to 1000 psi to check for leaks. With tolerances as tight as 1 mm, every move counted.
“The pressure of competing in front of a crowd was huge, but I kept a calm head and pushed through,” Shaun said.
“My nerves were shot for three days straight, but I’m proud to bring the gold back to Wollongong. It’s taken a lot of late nights and long days of training to get here.
“To the next generation of tradies, I’d say give it a go. You don’t know how good you are until you put your skills to the test. My family, friends, and workmates are all proud of my achievements and so am I.”
Max Cunial, who claimed gold for barbering, described it as an “intense few days”.
On day one, barbering competitors were given images of styles they needed to replicate, and left to plan before being put to the test on three live models and four mannequins.
“All seven of us barbers know how to do a fade, so for me the pressure points were the styling and hairdressing components,” Max says. “It felt unreal to actually win. I was lost for words.”
TAFE NSW managing director Chloe Read was thrilled with the results.
“WorldSkills is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of vocational excellence, and an invaluable opportunity for students, like those from the Illawarra, to build their skills, confidence, and careers,” she said.
The awards put the medallists in the running for a place on the Australian Skillaroos team, which will battle it out against more than 80 countries at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai in September 2026.
Last year, a Wollongong brickie and a Corrimal hairdresser claimed victory at the WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan congratulated all the medal-winning TAFE NSW students.
“These students are a credit to their communities and a testament to the quality of vocational education we’re delivering right across NSW,” Mr Whan said.
“TAFE NSW equips students with the practical skills and experience they need to thrive in the workforce – and their success on the national stage speaks volumes.”
The WorldSkills Australia National Championships medal and medallion winners from the Illawarra were:
Gold:
- Archie Wilkinson – Plumbing & Heating
- Luka O’Shea – Cookery
- Max Cunial – Barbering
- Shaun Meinecke – Welding.
Silver:
- Bruce Harkness – Bricklaying
- Nicolas Lawson – Turning
- Wayland Morrison – Baking.
Bronze:
- Veronica Menzies – Restaurant Service.
Medallion for Excellence:
- Angelique Madry – Hairdressing
- Jake Cutmore – Carpentry
- Reece Hunt – Fitting.
