Bradley Monkhouse was awarded a gold medal in the category of Carpentry achieving a score of 94 out of 100 which is a remarkable feat as he competed with a broken hand. This is a great achievement and a deserving result for the dedication and commitment he has demonstrated towards his trade studies. 

Bradley Monkhouse, regional carpentry gold medallist, will now proceed to the 2014 WorldSkills Australia National Competition being held at Perth’s Convention and Exhibition Centre between the 18th and 20th of September. The WSA National Competition is the nation’s largest and most prestigious skill and trade showcase with over 17,000 square metres of competition area. This three day event will showcase the skills of 500 of Australia’s best trainees, apprentices and students competing for the prestigious title of ‘Nation’s Best’ in over 50 skill and trade areas ranging from the traditional trades such as carpentry, bricklaying and hairdressing to the more contemporary professions of web design and fashion technology.

The Gold Medallist’s at the National Competition, named the Skillaroos,  will advance to the 43rd WorldSkills International Competition which will be held in São Paulo, Brazil from the 11th-16th of August, 2015. The venue spanning 76,319sq metres in size will see more than 60 countries/regions and over 1000 competitors converge on the international stage to compete for the coveted gold medal and the title of ‘World’s Best’ in 45 skill categories. This International Competition will be the largest Vocational Education and Training and skills promotion event in the world and will see over 200,000 visitors fill one of the largest conference centres in Latin America. Over four exciting days of competition the 2015 Team Australia Skillaroos will aim to improve on Australia’s current ranking as the 13th most highly skilled nation in the world. The International Competition is the ultimate test. Members of the Skillaroos become ambassadors not only for their skill, but also their home, state and country.

Since this award was presented, the Annual MBA Group Training Apprentice & Cadet Awards held at Eastlake Football Club, Kingston.

The Apprentice and Cadet Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Master Builders Apprentices and Cadets during 2013. Awards were be presented to Apprentices from the Carpentry, Bricklaying, Plumbing, Civil and Plastering trades. Our top Cadets, Trainees and Australian School Based Apprentices also received awards for their achievements.

The major award, Outstanding Apprentice of the Year, was awarded to Bradley Monkhouse.

Brad would like to thank the Braidwood and District Education Foundation for their support that helped make this all possible