NextGen Skills celebrate apprentices heading to WorldSkills Championships

NextGen Skills, part of the IntoWork Group, is thrilled for its apprentices Keegan Ingham, Samuel Cain and Paddy Bresnihan-Delaney as they prepare to join 605 apprentices at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Competition.

This prestigious biennial event spans three days and features 60 skills, bringing together the nation’s top vocational talent to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals against their peers from across the country.

Keegan, Sam and Paddy, who all trained at NextGen Skills, will represent Perth North and South after a rigorous selection process to find the top apprentices in each field at the Western Australia championships last year.

Keegan and Sam clinched gold in the plumbing category, while Paddy secured silver in the painting category.

Samuel Cain, now a full-time tradesman at Impulse Plumbing, expressed his excitement about the upcoming competition. “It’s a big honour and something really good to put on the resume. The competition is not just physical but more on the mental side, showing you have initiative and experience behind the trade.”

“It will be interesting to see how other states handle plumbing, as while we all operate under the same national standards, each state has its own specific codes and regulations.”

Samuel, a 23-year-old from Beckenham, was inspired to pursue plumbing by his grandfather, who was a drainer. “He showed me that plumbing is about much more than just fixing toilets and changing tap washers. It’s a versatile and rewarding career.”

Keegan Ingham, now employed full-time by Snap Plumbing, is equally enthusiastic about representing Western Australia. “I’m excited to showcase what plumbers are truly capable of. I chose plumbing to do something different in my family. We have electricians, carpenters, but no plumbers. It’s a job I truly enjoy.”

Keegan credits NextGen Skills for his success. “NextGen Skills has been incredibly supportive. They were always willing to accommodate my needs, whether it was changing jobs or exploring different areas within the plumbing industry. Their flexibility and reliability made my training journey smooth and enjoyable.”

Paddy Bresnihan-Delaney, a fourth-year Painting and Decorating apprentice, is working full-time at Desmond Décor. The 23-year-old is eager to compete in the national awards and is looking forward to the opportunity to demonstrate his skills on a larger stage.

Ben Dahlstrom, CEO of NextGen Skills, praised the apprentices’ success, “The achievements of Keegan, Samuel and Paddy reflect our dedication to delivering high-quality training and nurturing excellence. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to their performance at the national level.”

NextGen Skills, a leading provider in plumbing and painting of vocational training and employment services, is dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses through superior education and support. The WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Competition is a perfect platform for apprentices to demonstrate their skills and inspire the next generation of tradespeople.

Worldskills Australia’s National Competition will be held at the Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre from June 12 to 14.