NSW automotive student Edie Thurtell has been selected to represent Australia later this month at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai.

The TAFE student from Murwillumbah, who works for Mycar in Tweed Heads, will now compete against the world’s best emerging skilled professionals at the September 22-27 event.

Edie Thurtell competing in the WorldSkills National Championships in Brisbane

She is one of 10 students from TAFE NSW who have been selected to compete as part of Australia’s 38-member Skillaroos team at the prestigious competition. The event covers more than 60 disciplines across traditional trades, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and service industries. 

It will see participants – all vocational education students – put their technical skills and problem-solving abilities to the test in simulated real-world workplace environments. In doing so, they benchmark themselves against international peers and global industry standards.

Ms Thurtell’s selection in the WorldSkills event follows her gold medal win in automotive mechanics at the WorldSkills National Championships in Brisbane.

Edie Thurtell competing in the WorldSkills National Championships in Brisbane

“Winning gold nationally showed me all the hard work was worth it. It’s given me a lot more confidence,” she said.As she prepares for international competition, she said she is focused on mastering the fundamentals.

“If I know the basics well, I’ve always got something to fall back on if I get stressed out in the competition,” she said.

The competition tasks require a combination of technical expertise and problem-solving skills with the stopwatch running.

“We have to dismantle an engine, diagnose faults, rebuild it and test it, all within a few hours,” she said.

Edie Thurtell gold medal winner in automotive mechanics at the WorldSkills National Championships in Brisbane

“We also do this on gearboxes, steering, suspension, electric vehicles parts, brakes and auto electrical components.”

Minister for skills, TAFE and tertiary education Steve Whan said the high number of TAFE NSW students in the national team is a strong endorsement of the training they’ve received.

“Representing your country at a global competition like WorldSkills International is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to Edie’s exceptional talent, skill and dedication,” said Mr Whan.

“To earn a place on the Australian Skillaroos team, alongside some of the nation’s best emerging tradespeople and skilled professionals, is something she should be incredibly proud of.

“It’s fantastic to see 10 TAFE NSW students stepping onto the world stage, showcasing the strength of our vocational education and training, and the skills that are helping build our state’s future workforce.

“I wish Edie and the whole team the very best in Shanghai.”