Cobram Small Engines’ Max Williams has placed fourth at the WorldSkills national competition.
Mr Williams, a second-year mechanic apprentice studying his Certificate III in Automotive Motorcycle Mechanics, came second at the regional level in the WorldSkills competition in 2022.
He said the Australia-wide competition, held between August 17 and 20 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, was an eye-opening experience.
“It’s completely different (to the regional competition). It’s bigger scale. It was an awesome event to go to ... I couldn’t believe it really when I was there,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams had to complete a series of tasks on motorcycle engines, including ones related to suspension, diagnostics and suspension.
“There were six tasks and three hours to do each one,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams said the most challenging task was diagnostics, and the most straightforward tasks were related to brakes.
To prepare himself, Mr Williams said he focused hard on his everyday work at Cobram Small Engines and attended training camps.
Mr Williams described the support he received from his employers as invaluable and that they did everything they could to ensure his success.
“They’ve been awesome. They’ve followed me all the way up. My boss came up with me to support me at the event,” Mr Williams said.
Though settled back down at work, Mr Williams plans to nonetheless compete in next year’s WorldSkills competition, and should he be successful, he wants to compete in international skills competitions.
As for anyone thinking about becoming a mechanic, Mr Williams said it was a great career, and there was a great sense of satisfaction when “you can receive a problem, work on it and fix it”.
Personally, he couldn’t see himself anywhere else but where he is now.
“Sometimes it doesn’t really feel like you’re working half the time because you enjoy what you’re doing,” he said.
Cobram Small Engines owner Stuart Eliott said he couldn’t be prouder of his apprentice and added that he was an asset to the community.
“We’re very honoured and proud that Max has achieved so much in a short time being a motorcycle mechanic,” Mr Eliott said.
“The shop and the region should be very proud of his knowledge and skills on motorcycles.”
WorldSkills Australia is an organisation that is designed to help young Australians have access to world-class vocational education and training that measures up on an international stage.
The Courier congratulates Mr Williams on his success.