How WorldSkills soldered Monica and Aleazah’s friendship

Through their VETDSS studies at Chisholm, Monica and Aleazah are not only building practical skills for their future, they're also thriving in their environment, forming genuine friendships, and excelling in industry competitions.

Despite attending the same high school, Monica and Aleazah never ran in the same social circles. It wasn’t until they enrolled in the same Certificate II in Engineering Studies course that their paths truly crossed. Sitting next to each other in class, they quickly discovered a shared curiosity for problem-solving and a passion for setting foot in an open-ended industry.

When they both qualified for the National WorldSkills competition in Augmented Reality Welding, it felt like a natural next step. This was the result of months of hard work. Now, the pair are inseparable. They study together, train for the competition together, and even hang out after class. Monica describes the pair as “best buddies” and is excited to spend time with Aleazah in Brisbane during the competition as a “girls’ trip”.

Looking forward, Monica and Aleazah are excited to take on the challenge at a national level. They have been honing their craft in Chisholm’s cutting-edge Augmented Reality welding bays, practising a wide range of welding techniques to sharpen their skills.

Through their journey, Monica and Aleazah haven’t just become skilled welders in training, they’ve found a huge sense of belonging in each other. Their friendship shows how the right opportunity can bring people together in unexpected, life-changing ways.