LOCAL welding apprentice Bradley Osmond is set to take on the national Worldskills competition in Melbourne from October 6-8, after a gold medal win at the regional MidCoast Worldskills heats in August last year.
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The 20-year-old from Turners Flat works as a third-year metal fabrication apprentice at HF Hand Constructors in Port Macquarie and studies at Kempsey TAFE, where the regional competition was hosted.
“At the time I was surprised I won because I was too busy working. I’m pretty happy about it and proud of myself, but the nationals are another level. There is going to be a lot of pressure at the event and I’ll be up against some good competitors,” Bradley said.
He will join nearly 500 other competitors representing over 50 skill categories, with 40,000 people expected to attend the competition over the three days.
“I’ve been preparing for this for over 12 months with a lot of support from TAFE and my work. I’ve been doing extra training with my TAFE teacher Richard who has been mentoring me for the competition, and I get lots of practice at work. That’s all you can do, keep practicing and working on areas that need improvement,” Bradley said.
Richard Griffiths, Metal Fabrication and Welding teacher at Kempsey TAFE and MidCoast Worldskills team leader, said his charge had the experience and positive attitude to win.
“My role is to give guidance and advice and make sure Brad is on track to compete at his best. A competition like this encourages him to succeed and I think he’s getting a lot out of it. Even for the others who didn’t get through, it makes them up their game and then they have the opportunity to compete next year,” Mr Griffiths said.
Bradley sees Worldskills as a great way to measure how he’s going against others in the trade and a chance to travel, have fun and meet new people.
“It’s been a great experience to do this as a competition. When I go to Melbourne we head down as a team with a team uniform and blazers. We’ve been to a three day training camp in Tamworth to prepare us for the nationals, a fundraising dinner in Port Macquarie and we’ll also have a send-off dinner in Coffs Harbour next month,” he said.
“I feel hopeful but nervous. I’d like to continue progressing and get a good place, but I’m up with good competitors. Who knows how I’ll go in Melbourne but I’m sure I won’t regret pushing myself that bit further. I’d say to anyone who is thinking about it, that they should just go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose, so go for it 100 per cent.”