International Pathways
WorldSkills Australia provides International Pathways so that young Australians who have competed can expand their horizons and experience new environments using the skills they have.
BBM Ltd
BBM aims to provide career and skills support to the youth of Australia. Its awards have become a highly respected and beneficial international pathway from WorldSkills Australia's National Competitions.
The first WorldSkills competitor to receive a BBM scholarship was in 1985. The scholarship was recognised as a valuable pathway for a National medallist because, like WorldSkills Australia, it focused on the aim of achieving global skills excellence.
In 2000 BBM Ltd became a prominent partner with WSA, and the two organisations jointly selected and granted scholarships to many young and skilled competitors upon the completion of each national competition.
BBM recipients from the WSA National Competitions have each proved their dedication to skill excellence in their chosen vocational field. The young Australians travel to the UK to participate in a two week Corporate Leadership Development Program where they test the limits of their mental and physical boundaries in tasks such as an expedition to the hills of North Wales and a sinking ship simulator.
Those who received the BBM Scholarship through WSA are able to enhance their career prospects, positively contribute to Australia's cultural and technical development and help maintain strong links with Britain. They also get to travel, make life-long friends and have the experience of a lifetime!
View the 2009 Scholarship Recipients
BBM Website
Australian Overseas Foundation
The AOF was established to assist young Australians with financial support to provide the opportunity to travel overseas and extend their goals and develop qualities of self-reliance, initiative and leadership.
The scholarship is designed to fund young trainees and apprentices to travel overseas. They are given the opportunity to organise their work placement, travelling experiences and everything in between. Upon their return home they can bring with them their new skills and experiences for the benefit of their own career development and the Australian industry.
WorldSkills Australia has been affiliated with the AOF since 2003 and assists with the application process for WorldSkills national competitors.
Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program places 400 skilled young Australians (aged 18-30) per year, on volunteer assignments of 3-12 months in developing countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Ern MacDonald Fellowship
Ern MacDonald passionately believed in supporting the skills and personal development of young people. He was a highly valued board member of WorldSkills Australia and the Dusseldorp Skills Forum, who are both pleased to provide this opportunity together with the MacDonald family.
The Ern MacDonald Fellowship provides members of Team Australia in the building and construction categories to take the next step in their career. The Fellowship is to the value of $5,000 and can be used to develop skills in a chosen area through work and/or study overseas. Click here to download the application form and flyer.
WorldSkills Champions Exchange
The WorldSkills Champions Exchange is a first-class skills exchange program that offers high quality placements for world-class skills professionals.
Through the exchange WorldSkills International is offering former WorldSkills Competition competitors the chance to learn more about their skill on a global scale, whilst being mentored by a WorldSkills endorsed employer, for 6 - 18 months in another Member country/region.
In Australia's infancy as an active member country we have already seen several WorldSkills champions apply as either an exchange worker or host.