Benalla Ensign

Painter wins gold medal

- By Simon Ruppert

A Benalla-based vehicle painter has won a gold medal at the Regional World Skills Competitio­n.

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE automotive student Kyle Little will be presented with a medal and Certificat­e of Achievemen­t after winning gold at the Regional World Skills Competitio­n.

Mr Little is employed by Chris Lowen Smash Repairs, Benalla, and took out the Vehicle Painting section of the World Skills Competitio­n.

Mr Little said he had the opportunit­y to enter the competitio­n as part of his course at GOTAFE and it was a great honour to win.

‘‘I was over the moon, I wasn’t expecting to win,’’ Mr Little said.

‘‘(The competitio­n) involved colour matching, so I was given a colour and had to add to it, to match a panel I was given.

‘‘I’ve been working at Chris Lowen Smash Repairs for nearly three years.

‘‘I get an opportunit­y to do a lot there, I get a chance to work in different areas of the company, so that helped give me the knowledge I needed for the competitio­n.’’

Mr Little plans to be part of the National competitio­n in Sydney next year and said he would give it his best shot.

If all goes well he hopes to make the world finals after that.

GOTAFE WorldSkill­s Project Officer Callum Ross said the level of skill showcased by all the students that competed was high and this year there was a record number of competitio­ns held for the Central Victorian Region.

‘‘There was a total of 13 competitio­ns held by GOTAFE for our region, the most ever,’’ Mr Ross said.

‘‘The competitio­n is very demanding on the students, it’s stressful and fast paced and requires them to work on a variety of techniques within a specified timeframe, usually around six hours.

‘‘The competitio­ns saw students compete against their classmates and the clock in their chosen trade.’’

From July to October the Regional World Skills Competitio­ns were held at GOTAFE’s Shepparton and Wangaratta Campuses across a variety of fields including building, automotive, plumbing, retail baking bread, retail baking pastry, dressing and beauty therapy.

The winners from the Regional Competitio­ns will be eligible for the selection process to attend the National Competitio­n in Sydney next year.

Winners from last year’s National Competitio­n are competing in the World Competitio­n held in Abu Dhabi in October.

GOTAFE has had strong success at the World Skills Competitio­n.

In 2016, two GOTAFE students represente­d the region at the National WorldSkill­s Competitio­n in Melbourne.

Automotive apprentice Crystal McLaren from Wodonga placed third in the Paint and Panel category, while hairdressi­ng apprentice Eloise McCormick from Beechworth placed ninth.

Their success has sparked interest from trainers and apprentice­s alike, with six department­s involved in this year’s Regional Competitio­n. hair-

 ??  ?? Opportunit­ies: Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE offers a variety of courses that allow students to be part of the Regional World Skills Competitio­n.
Opportunit­ies: Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE offers a variety of courses that allow students to be part of the Regional World Skills Competitio­n.

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