Nick Johns-Wickberg
Representing Australia with exceptional prowess, 2024 Skillaroo Bailey Loenneker, Stud.AIRAH, has won a Medallion for Excellence in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning at the 47th WorldSkills competition in Lyon.
Loenneker’s skill stood out among 1,400 of the world’s brightest young talents from 70 countries, each vying to be the best in their field.
The Medallion for Excellence is awarded to those who demonstrate skills excellence during the competition, reinforcing WorldSkills’ commitment to nurturing and showcasing the best young talent from around the world.
During the competition and the action-packed closing ceremony, Loenneker was cheered on by family, supporters, and the more 250,000 visitors who attended the WorldSkills competition over its four days.
Crucial to Loenneker’s success was the mentorship of HVAC&R expert Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH, who prepared him for the competition and accompanied him to Lyon.
The road to success
Loenneker’s path to WorldSkills began over two years ago, starting with regional competitions in East Coast Queensland. Armed with skills honed at TAFE Queensland and supported by his employer Always Cool Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Loenneker advanced from regionals to nationals, where his outstanding performance secured him a coveted place on the 2024 Skillaroos team.
Preparation for the international stage was intense, with countless hours dedicated to training, including rigorous “mock” competitions such as WorldSkills Australia’s 2024 Global Skills Challenge (GSC). The GSC was the largest international skills event to take place in Australia this year, featuring over 400 international guests from 17 countries across 28 skill disciplines. This four-day event, held at several Victorian TAFEs, served as a final, high-stakes rehearsal for the WorldSkills Australian Skills Squad before they officially became Skillaroos.
“Receiving a Medallion for Excellence is both an honour and a reminder for competitors to continuously pursue excellence in their skills,” says WorldSkills Australia CEO Trevor Schwenke. “It represents the importance of setting international benchmarks in skills development to foster growth and innovation in the industry.”
An incredible opportunity
Loenneker is thrilled to have represented Australia in Lyon, relishing the opportunity to compete among the best in their field.
Guided by the expertise of Carl Balke, Loenneker has grown tremendously both professionally and personally. Since 1999, Balke has been deeply involved with WorldSkills Australia, serving in various capacities from advocate to international expert, consistently championing the importance of vocational education and skills excellence.
Achieving skills excellence is a journey of dedication, resilience, and pushing beyond personal boundaries. Throughout the competition, competitors worked closely with industry experts, demonstrated collaborative spirit, and focused efforts, emerging as true champions who will be celebrated upon their return.
Loenneker’s WorldSkills journey has been proudly supported by the Queensland government, Kirby, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, and the Australian Refrigeration Council.
Image courtesy of WorldSkills Australia.
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