Karl Geue
- Age: 20 years
Competitor in Skill: Cabinetmaking
Country: Australia
How did you get interested in your skill?
I first began participating in woodwork classes in Year 8 at Kingston Community School and continued right throughout my schooling. I then undertook work placement in Year 10 for one week where I am in my 4th year of a cabinet making apprenticeship. And really enjoyed this experience.
Where did you do your training for your skill?
TAFE SA, Mt Gambier Campus
How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I found out about WorldSkills Australia through my TAFE. I was asked to participate in the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition, where I won a gold medal, and the opportunity to compete in the national competition in Perth in 2014.
Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
I was not influenced by anyone, it was my own choice to peruse being a cabinet maker, I enjoyed tech studies at school and thought this would be a good trade to put what I had loved doing and learnt at school to good use.
What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
I have gained a lot of knowledge with what I have already learnt with world skills, and it has helped me to take me career to a higher level.
Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
My most memorable moment with world skills, was having to opportunity to head over to Perth and have my name called out for the gold metal win. I had to check with the person sitting next to me, that it was my name.
Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
I have experienced many challenges since being involved, one of these is working with solid wood, and learning the veneer processes. In my day to day job, we don’t work with solid timer very often.
I have also experienced that I can push myself further than normally would have, to achieve high standards.
Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
WorldSkills Australia has allowed me to meet new people both in the cabinetmaking industry and beyond. I have also travelled to many places in Australia and overseas which I would have never done had I not been given this opportunity. Jason Hindes (my WorldSkills Australia Training Manager) and TAFE lecturer Dean have allowed me to perfect my skills and learn new techniques beyond my day-to-day work as an apprentice.
What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I am currently a 4th year apprentice for a small cabinet making workshop Kingston Kabinets, I assist in the manufacturing and installation of built in furniture, we basically build melamine carcases and join them in our workshop, and then head out on site and install.
What are your future career aspirations?
Currently I am undecided what I would like to do as a career in the future. Whatever I decide to do, having the experience of an apprenticeship and WorldSkills Australia competitions will enable me to take these professional skills into any career pathway.