The WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Closing Ceremony took place at the Kazan Arena Stadium, announcing the winners of the 56 skills competitions. Outstanding top-scorers of the competition were also recognised, with the Albert Vidal Award, Best of Nation Award and Medallions for Excellence all being awarded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who flew into the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan for the purpose, addressed the competition participants and spectators.
“I sincerely congratulate the medal and award winners of the 45th WorldSkills Competition. I want to thank all the competitors! You have performed brilliantly, showing your excellent skills,” said President Putin.
“The 45th WorldSkills Competition has ended and our common responsibility is preserving its legacy for citizens of all our countries so that everyone of any age and health condition is able to reach their potential, choose their own path in training and development, and master relevant skills throughout their life,” he added.
Australia picked up four medals at WorldSkills 2019, ranking it 8th out of 63 countries and regions that competed in Kazan. In the Car Painting Category, “young gun”, National Collision Repairer Future Leader of the Industry, Maxine Colligan excelled as she came home with three individual awards. The Bronze Medal in the Car Painting Category, 2nd Place in the Sustainability Award and the winner of the Best of Nation Award.
Carl Tinsley, Maxine’s TAFE Teacher said: “At TAFE NSW we are all very proud of Maxine’s achievements, as it was a stunning performance under the pressure of international competition. All the hard work has paid off and brought Maxine the success she deserves. On behalf of TAFE NSW I would like to say a big thank you to those who supported Maxine over this journey Axalta at the national level and BASF, GM Holden and 3M Australia at the international level. Maxine has shown the rest of the world the capabilities of Aussie trade women.”
President of WorldSkills Simon Bartley directly addressed Competitors, Experts, Sponsors and Partners, volunteers, Delegates and Members, the Board and Secretariat of WorldSkills, as well as the audience. “All ten thousand of us in the visiting WorldSkills community, the 45,000 of us in the stadium tonight, the millions watching on television and the Internet – we are celebrating with one single voice united in our passion for skills and skills competitions.”
“To the competitors, I say a huge well done. To the medal winners of course, but also to all the young women and men who have taken part in Kazan: you are all Champions!”
The Closing Ceremony included a colourful and vivid show involving various singers and bands, together with local celebrity masters of ceremonies. To crown the WorldSkills Kazan 2019 event, the WorldSkills flag was handed over to the delegates from China, the host of the next world championship, WorldSkills Shanghai 2021.
Editor: It’s such a thrill to see how far Maxine has come since she was first offered an apprenticeship at Gemini Group in 2016. What an outstanding performance!