Jim D'Elboux
- Age: 21 years
Competitor in Skill: Industrial Control
Country: Australia
How did you get interested in your skill?
During Year 10, I did one week of work experience with a local electrical contractor Murray Harland Electrical, from there it sparked a real interest in the electrical industry. I finished year 10 with all intentions to go to year 12 and study Electrical Engineering, by the end of year 11 I had talked to many people about my interest in the field and was strongly advised to do an apprenticeship.
Where did you do your training for your skill?
TAFE NSW Western Institute, Dubbo Campus
How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
During the first year of my apprenticeship my TAFE teacher, Dave Arnold introduced me to Worldskills Australia. He handed me a few drawings and I said I will give it a go. I completed some training and then competed.
Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
Living in a mining town there is a big demand for tradesman and apprentices, My father Graham D’Elboux was the main person who influenced me to take on the electrical trade.
What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
I completed in a regional competition during the first year of my apprenticeship where I was chosen as the second competitor for the Macquarie region to compete in the National competition in 2012 in Sydney. In 2013 I participated in the Worldskills Youth Forum and then went on to compete in the regional competition where I won the gold. I then competed in the National Competition in Perth in 2014 and got the gold. As part of the preparation for 2015 Internationals in Brazil I competed in the 2015 Oceania competition in New Zealand in April as part of the Australian Skills Squad. I was then shortly after selected in the 2015 Skillaroos Team to compete in Brazil in August.
Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
Stepping up on stage receiving my gold medal at the 2014 National Competition Awards Ceromony.
Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with Worldskills
My experience with Worldskills Australia has developed me so much as a person and as a tradesman. I have also had the chance to travel over Australia and also internationally to New Zealand, Japan and Brazil in August.
Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
Throughout my WorldSkills Australia journey, I have had the opportunity to meet a whole network of like-minded people. WorldSkills Australia has helped me develop my skills much faster than usual and learn new skills I would not have learnt without the experience. It also helped me walk into a full-time job as a tradesman at the completion of my apprenticeship.
What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I am currently a shift Electrician at CSA Mine, Glencore based in Cobar, NSW.
What are your future career aspirations?
I would like to learn more about the programming and automation aspect of my trade. In general, I want to keep learning and developing my skills. My long term career goals are to also continue my development, by potentially starting Electrical Engineering to further support my trade or specialising in an aspect of my industry.