A team of Aussie tradies - known as the Skillaroos - have embarked on a journey to represent the nation competitively at the 41st International WorldSkills Competition.

More than 50 countries will take part in this year's event which will be held in London.

The competition draws a crowd of around 150,000 spectators and gives talented Australians a chance to shine on the world stage.

Tradespeople will compete in 26 categories including garden landscaping, car painting and restaurant service.

Chris Evans, minister for skills and jobs, says: "The Skillaroos are real life examples of the opportunities that are available to talented apprentices and trainees in a range of different skills and trades areas."

He also highlights the fact that the event coincides with National Skills Week.

"The values of learning a trade as an apprentice or trainee will be highlighted during National Skills Week in an effort to encourage other Australians to take up similar life-changing opportunities," says Evans.

This year the government has chosen the theme of 'Hands and Minds: the DNA of skills and trades.'

The government hopes that combination of the two events will lead many to investigate potential career paths in a range of roles necessary to the economic development of the country.