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    Media release

    TAFE NSW Mount Druitt | 3 June 2025

    Two young mechanics in blue coveralls work together under the hood of a car in an auto repair setting. They are smiling and are engaged in the repair process.

    Regional champion from Blacktown tests auto skills on national stage

    “In 2024, I competed in the WorldSkills Regional Competition and was proud to take out first place in Light Automotive Mechanical. Now, I’m excited to step up to the national stage at the upcoming WorldSkills Australia competition”

    Callahan Smith

    TAFE NSW Mount Druitt student, and Blacktown local, Callahan Smith is preparing to put his skills to the test when he competes at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships in Brisbane next month.

    Callahan is one of four talented students from TAFE NSW Mount Druitt who qualified for the national competition, which brings together the best emerging trades and skills talent from across the country.

    WorldSkills competitions celebrate excellence in vocational education and training through regional, national, and international events. National winners will be in the running to represent Australia as part of the Skillaroos team at the WorldSkills International Competition next year.

    Hundreds of vocational students will compete in Brisbane over three days, all aiming for gold and the opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage in Shanghai in September 2026.

    A mechanic holding a diagnostic tablet while inspecting the engine of a car in a garage. The background includes tools, shelves with containers, an automotive lift, and mechanical parts.
    Callahan Smith said the upcoming competitions marks the culmination of months of mentorship and hands-on practice with TAFE NSW teachers. “In 2024, I competed in the WorldSkills Regional Competition and was proud to take out first place in Light Automotive Mechanical. Now, I’m excited to step up to the national stage at the upcoming WorldSkills Australia competition,” Mr Smith said.
     
    “I’m really proud to represent my TAFE NSW teachers and my employer, Simon’s Automotive. I love what I do – there’s real satisfaction in taking something that’s broken and bringing it back to life. Thanks to the skills I’ve developed through TAFE NSW, I get to work with these big lumps of steel every day and make a real difference,” he continued.
     
    TAFE NSW Managing Director, Chloe Read praised the students’ dedication and talent. “These incredibly skilled Western Sydney students earned their place in the Nationals after excelling at the regional WorldSkills competition, with the ultimate goal of representing Australia on the international stage next year,” Ms Read said. “WorldSkills provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to test their limits and build their confidence, teamwork, and practical skills with the help of their teachers and mentors.”

    “The competition provides a powerful platform for students like Callahan to demonstrate their capabilities in their chosen field, connect with industry, and boost their careers – and we’re proud to support them as they take this next big step.”

    Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said the success of TAFE NSW students at WorldSkills highlights the strength of the state’s vocational education and training system. “These students are a shining example of the incredible pipeline of talent we’re delivering through quality vocational education and training across the state,” the Minister said.

    “TAFE NSW provides world-class, hands-on training and gives students the skills and confidence to thrive in their careers. Importantly, these students represent not only their community, but the future of Australia’s workforce.”

    The WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12-14 June. There are two students from TAFE NSW Mt Druitt campus who are competing in the National WorldSkills Championships.

    Media contact: Karen Farrell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000


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