At WorldSkills, Luke Davies won the CareerOne Award for Best Performing Competitor, with a score of 98.5%. Fitting and Turning involves making anything and everything out of metal, however, at WorldSkills, Turning I s a category in itself. “Definitely [winning Gold] is the best thing I’ve achieved.”However, Luke had no idea he’d win. “…Other people just seemed to be more confident, I don’t know.” He shared.
“For now I’m just thinking about whether I’m going to Canada or not, other than that, I’m just getting more experience from the job I can now. I’ve still got more to learn. Now, I’m just getting for what I can from this company.”
He heard about WorldSkills a little bit at TAFE, but it was mainly his friend who had competed in the Heavy Vehicles division last year. “We both competed in this one. He got gold.”
The Turning category at WorldSkills required competitors to create four different pieces out of four different materials. “We made a thing that tested all your skills of turning. But doesn’t really do anything.”
The had to make the object from Mould Steel, Cast iron, Aluminium, and Brass.
“It was challenging deciding how much time to spend on each different piece, each different bit - to make sure you don’t spend too much time on getting half a mark.”
“I think the best part was the attitude of most the people competing, it wasn’t cut-throat competitive, it was a enjoyable competition. Everyone was there to compete, not there to cheat, just to do their best.”
At Luke’s work, he’s had lots of practice in Turning. “In my particular job the turning I do everyday at work was very practical. I’ve had lots of turning jobs at work.”
“[At work], I’m more machining. I rock up to the workshop, and just make whatever job I’m on. Whether it’s puling something apart, machining something.” Luke says. “I’m also the foreman here, so I also see what the other apprentices are doing and make sure they have a job. It was good getting the role!”
Suprisingly, when Luke started out, he didn’t even know what a fitter and turner was.
“My boss is into four-wheel driving and I was into four-wheel driving. I saw a four-wheel drive he made in a magazine, I thought it’d be cool to work with him. I emailed him and asked if he was looking for an apprentice. It just went from there.”
“I like making stuff - I just like working with my hands, and finishing up with products. I like making stuff for 4 wheel drives, and the job itself.”
But Luke asserts that hard work is crucial to getting places. “Trades are great, if you work hard you’ll go somewhere with it, and if you bludge you won’t.”
Personal qualities needed for the job?
A reasonable understanding of maths, good with their hands, communication skills, to understand drawings and a little bit of patience.
Advice?
I would say listen to your boss, don’t argue with your boss, and if you make a mistake, tell you boss. Just be honest. That’s what I’ve found works best here.
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