TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour Education Campus student Lestatt Hammond-Hurst is proving his bread baking skills in Australia’s largest vocational skills competition.

Lestatt is one of four TAFE NSW students from Coffs Harbour campuses competing at the WorldSkills Australia 2023 National Championships in August.

WorldSkills hosts regional, national and international competitions which celebrate excellence and showcase vocational educational and training. Winners from the Nationals are in the running to be selected for the Australian Skillaroos team to compete against more than 75 countries. The international championships have run every two years since 1950.  

More than 500 vocational students will compete in Melbourne over three days with their eye on the gold medal and a chance to represent Australia on the world stage in France next year.

Lestatt is a second-year apprentice at Glenreagh Bakery and is completing a Certificate III in Baking at TAFE NSW. After winning the WorldSkills Australia Mid Coast Regional Competition, he’ll now showcase his skills in a battle against the best young bakers in the country in the Retail Baking Bread event.  

He said that his anticipation was building after months of mentorship by TAFE NSW teachers and countless hours perfecting his baking technique, often beginning at midnight, to get some practice in before he starts work in the early hours of the morning.'  

“There is so much scope in baking – from general bread products and sourdough to cakes and pastries – so I’m being really intentional about honing the broad range of practical skills I’ve learnt through my TAFE NSW course so that I can bring my absolute best to the competition,” he said.

“My boss at Glenreagh Bakery is a former TAFE NSW teacher, so she understands how important this is and has been allowing me to use the kitchen at work to practice. I also went to a training camp in Tamworth with other TAFE NSW students, which really helped me understand what’s expected of us.”

“I would love to say I’m not overly competitive, but I do want to bring home the gold. It’s a small community here in Glenreagh, I feel like a bit of a celebrity with the whole community behind me already, so I want to do them proud.”

TAFE NSW Executive Director Education and Skills North, Jason Darney, said the talented Mid North Coast region students have earned the right to compete to represent Australia after upstaging some of the best local talent at the regional WorldSkills competitions last year.  

“Our TAFE NSW finalists are representing some of the most in-demand industries from health to hairdressing, and everything in between. I'm proud to say the Mid North Coast is home to these industries' future leaders.  

“The ultimate goal for Lestatt is to earn a place on the Skillaroos team and represent Australia at the WorldSkills Competition in France next year.  

“WorldSkills competitions provide TAFE NSW learners with amazing, and potentially life-changing learning opportunities in an exciting, interactive, and engaging environment.   

“Participants learn important life-long skills that will not only help them succeed individually but will help deliver a highly skilled workforce,” Mr Darney said.

The WorldSkills Australia 2023 National Championships will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 17-19 August.

There are four students from TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour and TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour Education Campus who are competing in the National WorldSkills Championships.  

To arrange interviews and imagery, please contact the TAFE NSW Media Team.  

Media contact: Lauren McAllister, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, lauren.mcallister@tafensw.edu.au, 0432 929 941.