Aussie places fifth at WorldSkills

NEW SOUTH WALES mechanical apprentice Ross Colquhoun has placed fifth within his category at this week’s 47th WorldSkills Championships in Lyon, France.

As one of only two Australian competitors to finish within the top 10 of their chosen profession, Mr Colquhoun scored an impressive 731 points in the hotly contended Automobile Technology category.

The result placed Mr Colquhoun behind Shaohui Yang from China (781 points), Nevio Bernet from Switzerland (747 points), Anthony Minotti from Canada (743 points), and Kaito Murakami from Japan (740 points).

Mr Colquhoun faced several days of familiarisation and practice on the ground ahead of the competition before completing diagnostic and fault-finding modules, a brake fault and repair module, ADAS alignment and calibration module, transmission and engine control modules and electrical fault and repair modules in competition conditions.

His performance at the competition was such that not only was Mr Colquhoun awarded fifth place within his category, but also the highly coveted Medallion of Excellence and the Best of Nation award for taking the greatest number of points of any Australian at the competition (from a total of 33 representatives across various disciplines).

Speaking with GoAuto from the WorldSkills presentation ceremony, Mr Colquhoun thanked training and teaching staff at NSW TAFE for their support, as well as that from his manager, family and friends.

“I’m still coming back down to earth, but the competition was awesome,” he said.

“It definitely tested me and my training to the limit, but my mentor Kirk and I just stuck to our guns and played the game, with the rest of the best in the world. I seriously couldn’t have done it without the support crew that’s given up so much for me.

“Kirk and Clint from TAFE NSW. Mark and his family at A1 mobile mechanical services, WorldSkills Australia, and my mum who came half-way around the world to cheer me on.

“Without each piece of this network, I would never have had this opportunity, and I can’t thank any of them enough.”

Speaking with GoAuto from the WorldSkills stage, NSW TAFE head teacher and WorldSkills expert Kirk Trease praised Mr Colquhoun for his performance.

“Ross was just awarded fifth place globally in the Automobile Technology category, and also received a Medallion of Excellence, which is a very high commendation,” he said.

“On top of that he took out the Best of Nation award, which means that he scored the highest points of all Australia’s competitors participating across 33 trades during the international competition.

“I am so very proud that I have been able to take a regional trades apprentice on a journey that has put him on the international stage.

“We are surrounded by other volunteers like me from around the world who create this opportunity. The feeling is electric.”

The next WorldSkills competition will take place in Shanghai, China in 2026. Competitors for the event are already honing their skills with NSW-based mechanical apprentice Callahan Smith recently winning the WorldSkills Regional Competition for Automotive Mechanics in Western Sydney.

With high demand for automotive technicians, the WorldSkills competition celebrates upcoming talent as it readies to bolster the industry.

Australia has been experiencing one of the longest standing trade skills shortages with demand for skilled technicians remaining steady for close to two decades, according to the NSW Productivity Commission.

As the need for qualified technicians continues, a pipeline of skilled apprentices is required to future-proof the industry.

“The need for qualified automotive technicians continues to be one of the highest in the state,” said TAFE NSW head teacher for automotive Daniel Birin.

“We are committed to training high-quality apprentices who will be ready to hit the ground running.

“We are focused on delivering apprentices who have the job-ready skills to succeed in the industry and competitions like this give them the chance to put those skills to the test.”