This story highlights the importance of teaching young people trades, and the fulfilment one can get from passing on such knowledge. Auto-mechanic and Chief Judge for the Auto VETIS category, Terry De Santis, expresses his love for teaching trades and skills to the next generation.

About Automotive At WorldSkills:

This year’s VET Auto category holds five competitors, all male. They will be required to perform tasks across different areas of Auto Mechanics. The module of general engineering will involve measuring a piece of steel and cutting it with a hacksaw, accuracy being the main critique for this task. Other tasks are testing a battery in electrical as well as minor work on a cooling system and minor work on a breaking system. A major skill to be assessed will be the competitors’ correct practice of Occupational Health and Safety. Precision of work will also be critiqued, as will the methodical nature the tasks are approached. A key to success in this category will involve the competitors not rushing their work, keeping their nerves under control, keeping focus, reassessing their work, as well as time management.

About Terry:

Terry has been teaching TAFE for six years and absolutely loves it. He appreciates young people and believes that society doesn’t give them fair standing or credit. Terry loves teaching his trade at TAFE so much that he is currently taking part in a Career Change Program, which will eventually allow him to teach his trade in high school. It is a two year course, involving a Bachelor of Education (High School), Certificate of VETIS and a Certificate IV of Workplace Training. Terry believes this new idea of trade in schools is a great innovation for the future of today’s youth.

Before teaching, Terry had first hand experience in the automotive industry. He began working in a service station at 14, pumping petrol for customers the old-fashioned way and he believes this is where he first learnt about customer service and the importance of interpersonal skills. Terry's trade also took him across the country, where he worked throughout Australia.