Moira Shire resident Max Williams has come second at a regional level in the WorldSkills Competition, winning silver in Automotive Motorcycle Mechanics.
The second-year mechanic apprentice is studying his Certificate III in Automotive Motorcycle Mechanics, and works at Cobram Small Engines on Broadway St and spends his days fixing and servicing engines for motorcycles, power equipment, garden equipment, pumps and generators.
But by far his favourite are motorcycles.
“This is just what I always wanted to do. I always loved motorbikes from the day I was four years old,” Mr Williams said.
It was that life-long passion that led Mr Williams to become a mechanic.
He admitted it was never his plan to enter the competition but the opportunity came up when he saw about it in TAFE.
To get second place Mr Williams was tested on several tasks.
“You'd have to check over brakes on a motorbike and an engine system, you'd have to pull apart an engine, put it back together and servicing and all that sort of stuff,” Mr Williams said.
Despite his big achievement, Mr Williams remains humble.
Cobram Small Engines owner Stuart Eliott has described his apprentice as an outgoing people’s person who is eager to learn about the industry and has said his award is well deserved.
“Very proud of him, he’s done a great job. It was well deserved and he puts in the hard work and deserves it,” Mr Eliott said.
As for advice for anyone contemplating studying mechanics, Mr Williams said they should just do it.
“Just jump in and give it a go.”
WorldSkills Australia is an organisation which is designed to help young Australians have access to world class vocational education and training that measures up on an international stage.
Since 1981 it has helped more than 100,000 people compete in national and international skill competitions.