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ATNZ & Competenz Apprentices Scoop Gold At SkillEX
18 October 2006
Taking gold at the national SkillEX work skills competition may have earnt three young engineering champions a place at the SkillEX world championships in Japan.
Matt Russell (Wanganui), Ross Anderson (Palmerston North) and Craig Monaghan (Dannevirke) won their respective machining, light fabrication and welding categories at the national competition.
SkillEX tests contestants in over 20 skill categories including engineering, automotive, electrical, hospitality, carpentry, computers, hairdressing and bricklaying.
ATNZ Apprentice Co-ordinator for the central region, Steve Brooks, says SkillEX is a great challenge for contestants.
“The SkillEX projects test not only the quality of the workmanship through hands-on ability, but also call upon real life skills of job planning and problem solving.
“There are very tight tolerances in the judging, and accuracy is the main one. But time is a factor and the pressure is on during this type of competition because the contestants are forced to work under the watchful eye of the general public,” says Steve.
“These guys had already won their regional competitions to qualify for the nationals. Winning the national competition is a tremendous achievement, and testament to their talents,” he says.
Ross completed his apprenticeship through ATNZ and was seconded to Mike Christie Sheet Metals in Palmerston North. Welding champion Craig finished his apprenticeship through Competenz at RCR Easteel Energy Systems earlier this year, while Matt Russell is a current ATNZ year two apprentice, seconded to Boss Engineering in Wanganui.
Points accrued during the final also earned Matt the gold medal for Best in the Region.
Matt says each contestant in his section was required to machine and assemble all components of a drill vice.
“People watching the final didn’t worry me. I just got on with the job and came out on top. Engineering is a job I really enjoy, especially the machining side of the business,” he said.
Pending eligibility checks, the three champions will now turn their focus to fundraising for their travel to Japan for the SkillEX world championships in November 2007.
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