Mitchel’s Bronze

Vineyard local, 20-year-old Mitchel Azzopardia has won a bronze medal at the National WorldSkills showdown in Brisbane.

The TAFE NSW Mount Druitt apprentice claimed third place in sheet metal fabrication, standing out among more than 600 of the nation’s top apprentices across 50 trades.

The achievement marks a major milestone for the TAFE NSW student who is completing Certificate III in Engineering – Sheet Metal Fabrication, while working full-time in the industry.

His passion for metalwork began in high school, when a Year 12 project designing a motorbike carrier led him to work in a local metal shop, he hasn’t looked back since.

“TAFE NSW one day, tools the next – it is the perfect balance,” said Mitchell.

During the competition, he was tasked to build a pizza oven from scratch, against the clock, “the hands-on experience I’ve had at TAFE NSW made all the difference, it taught me to focus on the finer details and work efficiently under pressure, I believe that’s what got me over the line.

“It felt pretty good handing the final product in on the last day, not everyone finished. “I’ve already been thinking about what I could do better, so I know what to work on if I compete again.”

Mitchell was one of four students from TAFE NSW Mount Druitt to represent their region at the national championships.

Top performers from the national competition may be invited for a place on the Australian Skillaroos team, which will compete against more than 80 countries at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China in September next year.

TAFE NSW Managing Director, Chloe Read said, “WorldSkills is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of vocational excellence, and an invaluable opportunity for students, like Mitchel Azzopardi to build their skills, confidence, and careers,” Ms Read said.

“This achievement demonstrates the life-changing impact of hands-on training and mentorship, and the vital role TAFE NSW plays in preparing the future workforce.”