Nine young vehicle refinishing apprentices are approaching a significant juncture in their professional journey as they prepare to go head-to-head at the WorldSkills National Championships, Australia’s biggest vocational education and excellence competition.
Held in Melbourne from 17 to 19 August, WorldSkills provides an opportunity to celebrate the nation’s brightest up-and-coming trainees and apprentices from a diverse range of industries. Each apprentice will compete for the chance to be part of Team Australia at the biennial WorldSkills International Competition 2024 to be held in Lyon, France.
As the category sponsor for Vehicle Refinishing, Axalta provided training support to each competitor in the lead up to the Nationals. Each apprentice spent time with the Axalta Technical Trainer in their local state, familiarising themselves with the company’s premium waterborne range, Standoblue, and Standox’s Xtreme Clear, which will be used during the competition. “It is essential they are up-to-speed on how to use the products in order to demonstrate their ability as they battle it out with one another,” the company said.
According to Axalta, the WorldSkills National Championships not only provides an opportunity to discover who will be the nation’s best and brightest young vehicle painting apprentice, but it also helps to secure the industry’s future through encouraging excellence in young professionals.
Competing for the Vehicle Refinishing Gold Medal at the WorldSkills National Championships are:
- Lachlan Argent (NSW)
- Dylan Cleaver (NSW)
- Nickolas Abela (NSW)
- Neha Singh (NSW)
- Kynan Bonanno (NSW)
- Bryson Kingston (QLD)
- Zane Cannon (VIC)
- Jake Twyford (VIC)
- Dylan Hoskin (VIC)
“Axalta’s commitment to supporting events that promote outstanding levels of craftsmanship and the industry’s sustainability could not be more important,” said Paul Polverino, Axalta Australia’s National Training Manager.
“We are very proud to support these exceptional young Australians and provide them with new opportunities for growth. Axalta’s passion for our industry and desire to secure its future through young professionals is what drives us. We wish each competitor who has their sights on winning the National Championships, with the hope of representing Australia in 2024, the best of luck.”