Troy Pretty gives an outstanding performance at WorldSkills in Switzerland
31 July 2003
22-year-old Troy Pretty of Glenroy came sixth in the PC Support category of the recent WorldSkills Competition, held in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He also received an International Diploma of Excellence, a statement of high international-level skill achievement.
Troy was representing Kangan Batman TAFE in the competitions and was up against a tough international field in this highly competitive category. Troy’s diploma-winning performance is a tribute to his dedication, passion and commitment to being one of Australia’s finest young IT specialists.
Troy put his IT skills to the test, competing against his peers from all over the world in the International WorldSkills Competition.
Every two years, hundreds of young skilled people, accompanied by their teachers and trainers, gather together from around the world to compete before the public in the skills of their various trades and to test themselves against international standards. They represent the best of their peers drawn from regional and national skill competitions held in over 30 countries.
“Taking part in the WorldSkills Competition was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to others, it is something I’ll never forget. It was great to rub shoulders with other young people from many different trades, and totally different backgrounds to myself, and from all corners of the world,” says Troy.
“I’m now keen to stay involved with the competitions, maybe as a judge or in competition writing. I also hope to one day be the trainer or mentor for another young person who would like to compete at this international level.”
According to Troy he stumbled onto a career in computers by accident. “I initially thought that I wanted to be a carpenter - I went as far as to take on an apprenticeship in carpentry after school. After a few weeks of carrying wood and fetching lunches I decided it wasn’t for me.”
“A friend of mine kept on suggesting that I should look into a career in computers. I wasn’t convinced but now looking back it seems that he was right. I first completed a Diploma in IT Software Development from Kangan Batman TAFE and then went onto complete a Diploma in IT Technical and User Support (Networking), which I finished last year. These diplomas have helped me immensely in preparing for the competitions,” says Troy.
Troy was accompanied to Switzerland by his teacher and mentor, Michael Girdler. It was Michael, along with other staff members in the Information Technology and Multimedia Department at Kangan Batman TAFE, who introduced Troy to the WorldSkills Australia concept.
Troy won a silver medal back in Australia in the National WorldSkills Competitions held in Newcastle in October 2002.
In this year’s WorldSkills Competition, Australia won two gold, five silver and two bronze medals. 80 per cent finished in the top 10 of their field and 22 out of 28 participants received a Diploma of Excellence. Overall the Australian team finished 10th out of 38 participating countries and was the most successful Australian team to date.
WorldSkills is a not-for-profit association, whose mission is to ‘challenge young people, their teachers, trainers and employers to achieve world class standards of competence in commerce, services and industry, and to promote the status of vocational training’.
For further information visit http://www.worldskills.com.au/
