Automotive students to represent Victoria at WorldSkills

Eight automotive students from Kangan Institute will go up against the nation’s most skilled apprentices and trainees at WorldSkills Australia’s 2023 National Championships next month.    

Held from 17-19 August, the three-day event will see more than 500 young competitors showcasing their mastery across more than 55 skills at locations across Melbourne including Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence in Docklands (autobody repair and automotive refinishing skills).

Shortlisted following regional competitions last year, Kangan Institute’s eight competitors will compete across six skill categories:

·         Automotive Electrical – Noah Farrugia

·         Automotive Electrical – Kristian Mitrovski

·         Autobody Repair – Ali Akber Rezaie

·         Automotive Mechanics – Connor Matkovic

·         Automotive Refinishing – Dylan Hoskin

·         Heavy Vehicle Mechanics – Coady Gorringe

·         Motorcycle Mechanics – Joshua Darmody-Schembri

·         Motorcycle Mechanics – Tom Saxon

(Competitor Connor of mycar with his Kangan Institute mentor Frank.)

Top competitors at the National Championships will have an opportunity to be selected as a “Skillaroo” to join Team Australia at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition in France. 

Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain said the competition is set to showcase vocational skills at its finest.

“As a long-term ally of WorldSkills Australia, Kangan Institute is proud to host the autobody and automotive refinishing competitions at our Automotive Centre of Excellence,’ said Ms Curtain.

“We’re looking forward to an outstanding display of vocational skills and techniques at the WorldSkills competition sites and we wish the best to all competitors with a special shout out to our eight Kangan Institute entrants.”

“Our students have been working with their teachers and mentors to finesse their skills, both on campus and at their workplaces, and are set to put their best foot forward.”

Kangan Institute’s autobody repair competitor Ali Akber Rezaie discovered his passion for panel beating after migrating to Australia from Afghanistan. Initially working in a meat factory, the 22-year-old was introduced by a friend to the world of autobody repairs and never looked back.

“I was looking for a career, for a skill I could do for the rest of my life. When I found panel beating, I thought, ‘that’s a great job!’. It’s very interesting and I just went for it,” Ali said. 

Currently employed as an apprentice panel beater at Capital SMART, Ali said participating in WorldSkills is an opportunity to advance his skills.

“I want to push myself and this is the best way to do that. I’m glad to have been chosen to compete. It’s a good chance to learn more things,” Ali said.

(Ali and his Kangan Institute mentor Sam)

Kangan Institute educators are supporting student competitors as mentors, with several educators also participating as competition convenors across various automotive skill categories.

With Apprenticeships Victoria a major sponsor of the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, more information about the event can be found here.