Application

The Ern MacDonald Fellowship provides you, as a member of Team Australia – the Skillaroos - from the building and construction category*, with the opportunity to take the next step in your journey which began with the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition.

The fellowship is to the value of $5,000 and is to be used to develop your skills in your chosen area through overseas study and/or work experience. Three fellowships are available in 2007/08.

Eligibility
As a member of the 2007 Skillaroos in the building and construction categories, as specified by WorldSkills International*, you are invited to apply for a fellowship. To be eligible you are required to:

Perform in the top 50% of your category in Shizuoka
Perform to the expectations of WorldSkills Australia
Complete an application (as per below)
Be interviewed by the selection panel

* Skillaroos from the following building and construction categories are eligible:

• Wall and floor tiling
  
• Electrical installations
  
• Industrial control
  
• Bricklaying
  
• Painting and decorating
  
• Cabinetmaking
  
• Joinery
  
• Refrigeration

An outline of your experience will be required upon your return to inspire and motivate future Skillaroos.

Your Application
Your application may be submitted in any format you wish (written, video etc.)
The Fellowship organisers are available to assist you with your application. Please don’t hesitate to make contact for advice. Contact details are at the end of the application form.

The first step is to consider how you would use the Fellowship. We encourage you to explore which countries and organizations are leaders in your field and may be able to offer you some work experience and/or training. To do this you might like to talk to people in your industry and other Worldskillers, tap into the WorldSkills Xchange program, and also use the Internet as a good starting point in your search.

In your application, please ensure you include the following information:

1. Contact Details
Name WorldSkills Category
Phone Mobile
Email Address

2. How you plan to use the Fellowship
Please provide an indication of how you plan to use the Fellowship including; where you plan to go, information about the company you will undertake training and/or work experience with, why you have selected this organisation and/or country, and importantly, what experience you will be gaining.

Many industries are recognising the importance of environmental sustainability. You might like to consider using this opportunity to gain some experience, understanding and skills in this area.

We encourage you to make contact with the potential host organisation to find out what they can offer you. Please also provide an indication of when you would take up the Fellowship.

3. Where do you see yourself?
What are your plans for the future? How will you use what you have learnt once you return?

4. What have you done in the past?
Please provide brief details about your work and education/training history. While WorldSkills has taken up much of your time in the last year, you might also like to include information about any other areas of interest, community involvement, and your life outside of work.

Applications are to be forwarded to:

Heather Knights
Events Coordinator
WorldSkills Australia
PO Box 12505
A’Beckett Street
VIC 8006

Ph: 03 9249 1000
Email:hknights@WorldSkills.org.au

Selection + Timing
The selection panel will review all applications. All applicants will be interviewed, initially by phone, then in person in April 2008 (at our expense). We know will provide you with some interview preparation tips beforehand.

June 2007 Applications open
18th February 2008 Deadline for Applications
March 2008 Applicants will be interviewed by telephone
April 2008 Applicants interviewed in person by the selection panel
April 2008 Fellowship recipients announced

Ern MacDonald

Ern MacDonald believed passionately in supporting the skill and personal development of young people. As a civil engineer, Ern was a highly successful and respected member of the construction industry. In a career spanning four decades, Ern worked for Civil & Civic (now Bovis Lend Lease) including six years as chairman, was a driving force in the creation of Group Apprenticeship Schemes, and was a highly valued board member of WorldSkills Australia and the Dusseldorp Skills Forum.

The MacDonald family, WorldSkills Australia and the Dusseldorp Skills Forum are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to the Skillaroos.

Pssst !!
You might have noticed that there are only 10 Skillaroos who fit the criteria to apply, and with 3 Fellowships available, I’d say it’s worth putting an application in!