Renae out-performed five of Australia’s top students for a silver medal at the National WorldSkills Business Services competition in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools category.

Renae travelled to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre to compete with 500 of Australia’s most talented trainees, students and apprentices in the largest trade and skills competition in the country, held from Thursday, September 18 to Saturday, September 27. 

There were 200 industry experts judging, $10 million worth of equipment and 50 trades and skills on show.

Renee has just finished her HSC where she studied the VET course Business Services, accrediting her with Certificate II in business.

She earned herself a national place after taking out the regional competition at school and then the state competition held in Lithgow earlier this year.

Despite thoroughly preparing for the competition with extra training from teacher Karen Bulbert, Renae said the nerves were high going into the first day of competition.

“I was mainly nervous about not being able to do the tasks,” she admitted.

“But most excited about finishing the three days and getting it done.”

In the three five-hour days the business services competitors were expected to complete a diverse range of office administration tasks.

In the simulated office competitors were required to communicate effectively and demonstrate competency using their IT skills in MS Office 2013.

Renae word processed hand written letters for clients, emailed attachments, designed promotional material for upcoming tours and followed the company’s policy and procedures for the style guide. 

She created a database of clients, mail merged data, created form letters and mailing labels, answered phones, photocopied, bound documents, handled mail and dealt with reporting a workplace accident - all as part of a busy day in the office.

Although Renae said she was confident with most aspects of the competition, the most nerve-wracking was a PowerPoint presentation on safe work methods using chemicals and Safety Data Sheets in the workplace she presented to parents and mentors.

“But I did feel better afterwards like I had achieved something,” she said.

At the end of the three days the winners were announced at the competition’s closing ceremony.

“I felt I did alright at the end of it but you never know how many mistakes the other people made, so I wasn’t expecting anything,” Renae said.

“So when they called my name I was relieved and very happy.”

After her exams Renae plans to do a certificate three and four in business, with hopes to one day work as a legal secretary or in paralegal.

Renae thanked her mentor, Mrs Bulbert for her support and training throughout the competition.