Two talented young South Australian women are preparing to take on some of the world’s best as they represent Australia at a massive international skills competition in Shanghai next week.
Third-year painting and decorating apprentice Jemma Glatz and TAFE SA graphic design graduate Emilie Flavel have earned places on Australia’s Skillaroos team for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Often dubbed the “Olympics of trades”, WorldSkills is the world’s largest international skills competition, bringing together more than 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions. They will compete across 64 skills at Shanghai’s National Exhibition and Convention Center, the world’s largest exhibition complex.
More than 500,000 visitors are expected in Shanghai for the event, which runs from September 22nd to 27th, with the main competition taking place from September 23rd to 26th.
For Jemma and Emilie, reaching the international stage follows around two years of regional, national and international preparation.
Emilie won gold in Graphic Design Technology at the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane, earning her place among the country’s top young competitors. She studied at TAFE SA and will now compete for Australia in Graphic Design Technology.
Jemma will represent the country in Painting and Decorating. The apprentice has already had a taste of international competition, winning gold in her category at the 2026 Global Skills Challenge earlier this year against competitors from countries including France and India.
“WorldSkills has given me a lot of experiences,” said Jemma. “It’s helped my skills so I can produce better finishes, and I’m more confident in the work I produce.
“It would be amazing to win, but I don’t mind where I place in the competition. I just want to produce a good finish that reflects the amount of time I’ve spent training and proves if you put in the hard work, it pays off.”
Three South Australian experts will also travel with the Australian squad, including TAFE SA lecturers Steven Baliga and Ryan Grieger, as well as PEER trainer and assessor Paul Gadaleta. Steven is Jemma’s WorldSkills expert and mentor.
Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood said, “South Australians donning the green and gold have put in the training and will showcase their skills on the world stage.
“Skilled workers are critical to our state’s future and we’re proud to get behind local apprentices, trainees and students as they compete in Shanghai, the financial and economic capital of China.”
The Shanghai competition will feature everything from traditional trades such as bricklaying, plumbing and painting to emerging fields including software testing, unmanned aerial systems and intelligent security technology. Seven new skills have been added for the 2026 event.
South Australia will get its own turn in the spotlight next year, when Adelaide hosts the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in June 2027.
For now, all eyes are on Jemma and Emilie as the two South Australians prepare to put their skills to the test against some of the best young talent in the world.
For more information, click here.
