Skills shaped by TAFE training on show at WorldSkills Regional Competitions
GOTAFE’s Docker Street, Wangaratta Campus was abuzz with WorldSkills activity recently.
Four GOTAFE automotive apprentices have won gold at the WorldSkills Regional Competition in Wangaratta on Thursday, 9 July, showcasing the high-level industry skills developed through vocational training and earning the opportunity to progress to the next stage of Australia's premier skills competition.
Hosted and delivered by Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE (NVITAFE), comprising GOTAFE and Wodonga TAFE, WorldSkills affords apprentices and trainees the chance to showcase the skills they have honed throughout classrooms, workshops and the workplace in a supported competition environment.
Some 23 competitors took to the Docker Street Automotive Department to complete 3-4 timed tasks in their chosen field – with Paint – Refinishing, Panel – Repair, Heavy Vehicle and Light Vehicle competitions all taking place on the day.
Across the four skills categories 11 GOTAFE and 4 Wodonga TAFE staff also performed judging duties - their collaboration ensuring a high-quality judging process and highlighting the strength of the partnership between both TAFEs.
Winning gold, with the opportunity of progressing to Victorian Team selection and the national competition stage were:
- Thomas Carlin (Body Tech, Seymour) – Paint – Refinishing
- Brock Voisey (Salters Motor Panel Repairs, Kyabram) – Panel – Repair
- Harry McIntyre (Ted Cahill Motors, Shepparton) – Light Vehicle
- George McKimmie (Wyatt Mechanical, Wodonga) – Heavy Vehicle
“It was good, I enjoyed it,” winner of the Heavy Vehicle competition George McKimmie said.
“My teacher at TAFE (recommended) that I have a go. I’d done it two years ago, so I had a little experience coming in. It was something I wanted to do again.
“They were good challenges. It’s absolutely something to definitely have a go at (if you’re an apprentice).”
Also part of the judging panels were three former WorldSkills national competitors; Benjamin Millen (Harris Panel Beating, Numurkah), Nicholas Stephens (Complete Body Craft, Rutherglen) and Zane Cannon (Shepparton).
The local Early Holden Car Club kept everyone well fed throughout the day, providing a barbecue lunch for all involved.
NVITAFE was also pleased to welcome representatives from industry, employers, and Boys to the Bush, a not-for-profit organisation that brought along a group of young boys as part of their school holiday program.
They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were highly engaged with the competitions, making it a valuable opportunity to showcase vocational skills and career pathways.
Full results:
LIGHT VEHICLE
- Harry McIntyre (GOTAFE) Ted Cahill Motors)
- Caleb Chapman (WT) (Blacklock’s, Wodonga)
- Paul Higgins (WT) (McRae Motors)
PAINT – REFINISHING
- Thomas Carlin (Body Tech, Seymour)
- Ayden Prowd (Dosser Panel & Paint)
- Jack Koschel (Clarke’s Paint & Panel)
PANEL – REPAIR
- Brock Voisey (Salters Motor Panel Repairs)
- Cooper Scott (Freer’s Panel Works)
- Sam Schmedje (Salters Panel Works)
HEAVY VEHICLE
- George McKimmie (Wyatt Mechanical)
- Xavier Hawtin (Black Dog Mechanical Repairs)
- Lachlan Dunne (Cummins)
A WorldSkills Motorcycle Mechanics Regional Competition was also hosted by GOTAFE – at Shepparton's William Orr Campus on July 14.
Thomas Masters (Tweaked Performance, Numurkah) took out gold in the competition.
Full results:
MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS
- Thomas Masters (Tweaked Performance, Numurkah)
- Mason Richard Scott (Highside Motorcycles, Echuca)
- Jacob Henry (Elliott Brothers Motorcycles, Bendigo)
