Carpentry apprentices constructed saw stools, while cabinetmaking apprentices built spice cabinets in the regional competition at TasTAFE in Alanvale on Saturday.

Ben James took out the carpentry category and Carly Bird won the cabinetmaking after their handiwork was given a score out of 100. They will now represent Tasmania in Sydney.

Check out the apprentices hard at work in the WorldSkills regionals in Alanvale:

Cabinetmaking judge Joshua Boon - who competed for Australia in WorldSkills in Russia this year - said the designs and tight timeframe were a genuine test for competitors.

"They're handed a pile of timber and plans, and they have to create the grooves for the shelves to go into," he said.

"The trickiest part of the regional competition is the dovetail drawers. It's a pretty traditional way of doing drawers but it isn't used as much anymore, so it's a good test of skill.

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"Six hours sounds like a lot of time but it's not, especially when you add the pressure as well. It's not like having a day at work, you don't get to come back tomorrow and finish it off."

Mr Boon finished sixth at the WorldSkills International Competition in August, where Australia lifted its final position from tenth to eighth.

"Not only do you increase your own skillset, you learn skills you can then take back to your employer that will benefit them in the long run," he said.

In the carpentry, the saw stool design would lead into the project that competitors could expect at the nationals.

Gawler carpenter Sam Laing, who won gold at the nationals in 2018, said it was exciting to be able to pit your skills against the best in your field.

"If you've got a competitive nature and you want to excel in your trade, then this is the competition for you," he said.

"I couldn't wait to do this. You might not get money out of it, but you want the name as the best. You want to be the best in your field."