Cape Naturaliste College Year 11 students Ella Cull and Alyssa Richardson showed off their painting and decorating skills at a recent WorldSkills challenge in Bunbury.
Competing against other students from around the South-West, the students were tested on trade skills and knowledge learnt through a pre-apprenticeship course.
Ms Cull walked away with gold and Ms Richardson was awarded bronze at the competition, which means they can take part in a national competition.
The competition is held every two years with more than 500 competitions held in 34 regions across Australia.
Ms Cull and Ms Richardson are completing a Certificate II in Building and Construction in painting and decorating through Bunbury TAFE, which is part of a vocational education and training course.
Ms Richardson said the competition was based on skills they had learned at TAFE which included cutting in walls and measuring.
Ms Cull said they had to follow a plan and occupational health and safety guidelines.
"We followed a plan and put all our measurements up on a wall, which had been built for us, all of our lines had to be straight and we cut them in," she said.
The students said it was a great experience and competing was a challenge because they had to finish their tasks within a time frame.
"We had already completed these types of tasks at TAFE, but to do it under a time pressure was different," Ms Cull said.
The students hope their pre-apprenticeship will lead them to job opportunities when they finish school with Ms Cull hoping for a trade in painting and decorating and Ms Richardson a career in interior design.
"It has been really good doing work experience, I have been enjoying it a lot and am hoping to get an apprenticeship when I finish school," Ms Cull said.
Cape Naturaliste College VET coordinator Nick Radice said as part of their course the students attended TAFE and completed 180 hours of work place learning.
"We have around 25 students who go to Bunbury TAFE each year to do a range of courses, and every second year they hold the WorldSkills regional competition," he said.
"To have a pre-apprenticeship on your resume is a fantastic outcome, especially doing about six weeks of work as well, it clearly demonstrates to any employer that these people are committed and passionate."
Students Lucy Franke and Anjalee Jay also competed in the event for food and beverage and hairdressing.
