1 December 2022

Toronto’s Neave O’Reilly has won gold in the Hunter Region WorldSkills 2002 Competition for Health Care, the first time the category has been run regionally.

The 18-year-old is studying a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Newcastle and won the Regional Competition by performing critical health care skills in a simulated environment, including hospital, home and aged care, and care planning.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Allied Health and Nursing Lynelle Jenkinson said the competition was intensive, with the seven Hunter competitors testing their skills under assessment conditions in the TAFE NSW Simulation Clinical Labs.

“Our competitors were assessed on their self-management, communication, interpersonal, problem solving, innovation, and creativity and empathy skills,” said Ms Jenkinson.

“It was wonderful to see Neave and the other competitors demonstrate many of the practical skills they’ve been learning during their TAFE NSW studies.

“The competition was of an extremely high standard and Neave is a deserving winner.”

Neave completed the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with TAFE NSW while at school and is continuing her career path with the Diploma of Nursing, where she is learning skills like caring for people with complex needs, understanding anatomy and physiology, administering medication, and implementing nursing care plans.

Neave chose to participate in WorldSkills to practice her skills and apply them to real-life scenarios on her journey to become an Enrolled Nurse.

“I really enjoyed the experience in getting to learn these skills and how to interpret the results, which made me more confident in the skills assessments I had to undertake as part of the Diploma,” said Neave.

“I am extremely grateful for the support of the TAFE NSW teachers and staff during this process, and how willing they were to take the time to help me in preparing for WorldSkills, as well as their encouragement during the assessment that helped ease my nerves.”

After winning the Hunter Region competition, Neave will have the chance to compete in the National WorldSkills Competition next year in Melbourne. For now, her TAFE NSW studies are keeping the winner busy.

“I’m now completing the complex aspects of the Diploma, and so far I've really enjoyed learning those skills and the more in-depth theory.”

Media contact: Amy Johnson, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, phone 02 7921 0354 or email amy.johnson87@tafensw.edu.au