Axalta Coating Systems has again provided support to WorldSkills Australia and its 2022 regional competitions for vehicle refinishing apprentices. Each regional event offered local students the chance to compete and showcase their refinishing skills while building confidence and gaining exposure to new technologies and techniques.
Axalta assisted with competitions held in Sydney, Northern Rivers, the NSW mid coast, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, and will possibly support more that are yet to be scheduled for 2022.
The most recent event, on 29 September, was organised and hosted by Axalta’s Queensland team at the Axalta Gold Coast Training Centre. Five apprentice spray painters spent a day putting their skills to the test, producing a two-tone panel with design and decals, as well as colour matching within a set timeframe.
Axalta said the judges and staff were in awe of the competitors’ ability to follow instructions, handle pressure, and demonstrate maturity.
“To the competitor’s credit, all five apprentices did extremely well, with the final marks being very close,” said Axalta’s Paul Polverino. “Their employers should be extremely proud of their achievements today.”
The Gold Medal was won by Bryson Kington of Brisbane Collision Centre, with the Silver Medal going to Rhys Cannarella of Sommerville Smash Repairs, and the Bronze Medal going to Kaitlyne Lewis of MBQ Autobody. The three winners also won Sagola spray guns.
“We congratulate all the competitors and thank the employers who allowed this group of five young adults to experience the opportunity of a WorldSkills competition,” Axalta said.
As the primary sponsor to WorldSkills in the Refinish category, Axalta supplied its Standoblue waterborne and low energy products for each event. One of the benefits of using Standoblue basecoat is that it could be hardened and dried quickly, ready to mask up for the second colour within a very small timeframe. This was essential to everyone finishing on the day.
The 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Competition will be held from 17 to 19 August 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.