(Motorcycle mechanics silver medallist Tom Saxon)
Having just completed his Kangan Institute apprenticeship, the 23-year-old works as a motorcycle technician at Frank’s Garage, Tullamarine and sees himself building a strong future in this trade.
“I’ve been in it four or five years now. I had bought a bike and did bits and pieces on it. I thought it was cool doing services and thought it could be a career,” Tom said.
“I just love it and I want to stay in the industry. I may open up my own shop one day.”
A total of eight automotive students from Kangan Institute participated in the 2023 WorldSkills National Championships, with the TAFE’s automotive educators also involved as competitor mentors, competition convenors and judges.
Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain said the WorldSkills experience offered competitors an avenue to progress their career.
“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our eight Kangan Institute competitors, who have performed outstandingly as part of Team Victoria. The competition itself lasted three days, but the training and preparation began long before the big showdown,” Sally said.
“A massive congratulations to our medalists Tom, Joshua, Dylan and Ali – to come out on top against Australia’s finest apprentices is no small feat.
“The WorldSkills experience is an opportunity for our students to not only enhance their skills, but to also demonstrate their abilities to the wider nation. I am confident this experience will be a platform for our student competitors to achieve bigger and better things in their career.”