A Charlestown apprentice is set to represent NSW at Australia’s biggest trades and skills competition this week.
Twenty-two-year-old Luke Callaway will test himself against the best at the WorldSkills National Championships, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 August.
The trainee auto electrician is one of six from the Motor Traders Association of NSW taking part in the prestigious event.
He secured his spot after winning the regional competition.
The youngster made a bold decision to change careers after realising he had lost interest in his engineering and science degree.
Callaway then discovered his passion for working on cars and electricals through his hobby of building and repairing computers.
After searching for a job that matched his interests, he landed a position and found it to be “right up his alley”.
“There was a moment in my life when I was like ‘I’m not liking what I’m doing and can’t see a future,” Callaway admitted.
“I spoke to people and had a massive, massive passion for all things electrical.
“To be honest, I build and repair computers as a hobby.
“So, I put my ad on Seek and searched for a month or two and had a business pick me up.
“It just fell into place.”
Callaway boasts a positive outlook for electric vehicles (EVs) moving forward, is open-minded about the evolving future and excited to embrace change.
“That’s where it’s all heading,” he said.
“I’m a very open-minded person and see no downside… it’s just the evolving way of the future.
“Change is always hard but I like to embrace it and I’d love to learn definitely how to diagnose, repair, fix, all that kind of stuff with the electric cars.”
And, on his change of careers?
“It’s obviously a daunting process and never easy,” he said.
“However, it’s the risk you need to take and the reward is very much worth it.
“My life’s just ramped up 110% since doing this.
“I’m healthier and I enjoy what I’m doing.
“I couldn’t see where I would be in my life otherwise.”
WorldSkills provides an opportunity for Australia’s trainees and apprentices, across various industries, to challenge themselves against their peers.
Staged every two years, the National Championships is the biggest event of its kind in the country.
Successful medallists will be invited to join the Skills Squad, offering the chance to travel to the WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France, in 2024.
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