Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed members of the 2026 Team Australia Training Squad to Parliament House on September 1, where he spoke with them about their aspirations and posed for photos, wishing them well as they prepare for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026…. writes WorldSkills Australia
The meeting was followed by the official launch event inside Parliament House, attended by Training and Skills Minister Hon Andrew Giles MP and close to 200 leaders from government, education and industry.
The spotlight was on 39 outstanding young apprentices, trainees and professionals along with 35 dedicated experts from across Australia, each of whom earned their place after excelling at the 2025 National Championships in Brisbane.
The evening began with an inspiring address from 2022 Skillaroo Rachel Crawford, who shared her journey with WorldSkills that saw her become the first Australian to join the WorldSkills Champions Trust representing ASEAN/Oceania.
Rachel spoke about the opportunities the movement has created for her and encouraged young people everywhere to follow their dreams.
Following this, Minister Giles congratulated the Training Squad on their achievements and highlighted the importance of the VET system in shaping Australia’s skills future. He also reaffirmed the Government’s support for WorldSkills Australia before being presented with a Team Australia jacket.
Capital effort
The evening featured a dynamic panel discussion with the Skillaroo Training Squad members, who offered powerful first-hand insights into their journeys so far. They reflected on their expectations for the upcoming International Competition in Shanghai and highlighted how WorldSkills Australia programs have transformed their personal and professional growth.
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Members of Parliament from across the country, including those representing the squad members’ home electorates, attended the event, underscoring the national significance of the achievement. Also in attendance was WorldSkills Australia’s Patron and former Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor.
WorldSkills Australia CEO Trevor Schwenke said the evening was a fitting way to recognise the achievements of the Team Australia Training Squad.
“This was an outstanding event and a great honour to celebrate in Parliament House,” he said.
“Our Training Squad has worked tirelessly to reach this point, and they are genuinely excited to potentially represent Australia on the world stage.
“I want to thank Prime Minister Albanese, Minister Giles, the MPs who joined us, and all those who made the team’s visit to Parliament House such a memorable one.
“Their support means a great deal to our competitors as they prepare for Shanghai 2026.”
The Parliament House event capped off a four-day development camp, where squad members developed teamwork, resilience and high-performance skills.
A special visit to the Australian War Memorial offered the group a chance to reflect on service, sacrifice and national pride — a poignant reminder of the honour that comes with representing Australia on the global stage.