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THURSDAY, 3RD JULY 2025 Local people. Local news.
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Coona apprentice crowned Australia’s best A local apprentice has earned national recognition after taking out top honours in a prestigious trade competition. by CLAUDIA HEANEY Jack Richards, 20, has won gold in Autobody Repai r at the Wor ldSkills Australia National Championships, held in Brisbane from 12-14 June. The local apprentice, who works for Sydney Car Restoration in Coonabarabran, competed against Australia’s best young tradespeople over three intense days. Jack’s trade skills, time management and attention to detail were put to the test during the competition. WorldSkills is an international program designed to enhance vocational education and training around the globe. It showcases the skills of young apprentices in a wide range of trades including construction, engineer ing, ar ts, digital technologies and hospitality. Winning the prestigious gold medal came as a surprise to Jack. “I was pretty shocked. I didn’t think I had done that well,” Jack said. Competitors were assessed on tasks such as metal finishing panels, performing sectional repairs on an outer sill panel and body filler repair on a door. They were also required to remove and replace a door skin, all while managing limited tools and tight timeframes. Jack said the experience was challenging from start to finish. “It was pretty intense. I was flat out for the three days – I had to focus on time management,” he said. “Some of the tools we had to use, I hadn’t used before, which made it difficult. “But waiting for tools to become available was a challenge.” Jack credits his success to the strong support he receives at work. He said his boss, Grant Browan, had been instrumental in his learning journey. “Grant has always been there when I’ve needed him. He is never too busy to help me learn,” Jack said. Jack will now represent Australia at the WorldSkills International Championships in Shanghai, China, from 22-27 September 2026. The competition is the world’s largest vocational skills’ event and will place Jack on the international stage.
“I’m pretty nervous. I’m going to have to do a lot of training, but it will be a really good experience,”. Mr Browan said he was confident Jack would place in the top three and was proud to see him claim the top prize. “It was no surprise when he won because he had worked so hard for it. We always knew he would do super well,” Mr Browan said. “The scope of opportunities that the competition provides Jack spans across borders and oceans. “It opens up doors all over the world in the coach building industry and the restoration industry.” Following the competition, Jack has been invited by Car-O-Liner to train on cutting-edge chassis straightening machines at the BKI GROUP in Melbourne. Confident that Jack will be a strong contender in the international competition, Mr Browan praised Jack’s approach to his trade, saying it sets him apart. “He has a great work ethic and he knows near enough isn’t good enough. It has to be perfect,” he said. “I can go away for the week and be confident in knowing he will have the shop running properly. “It is a big thing and he does it seamlessly.” Motor Trade Association NSW trainer and assessor, Jacob Hanley, was equally impressed by Jack’s performance. “What really stood out about Jack was his humility,” Mr Hanley said. “Despite the pressure of the competition, he stayed focused on doing the best job he could – he handled the stress incredibly well and delivered under pressure. “Hearing that Jack completed one of the tasks in half the allotted time and scored perfect marks was just amazing.” Mr Hanley said the competition was a serious test of ability. “The competition itself was no easy feat,” he said. “Each state brought forward incredibly talented apprentices, all performing at a very high level.” “If his performance in Brisbane is anything to go by, he’s on track to achieve something really special on the world stage.” Looking ahead, Jack hopes to one day run his own workshop. “It is pretty rewarding when you finish a car and it is perfect,” Jack said. “You go at your own pace and get it done right.”
Coonabarabran Times, Thursday, 3 July 2025 - 1