Thomas Crittenden

• Age: 19 years

Competitor in Skill: Sheet Metal Technology
Country: Australia

How did you get interested in your skill?
I completed a TVET (VET in schools) course in Years 9 and 10, and a compulsory part of the course was two weeks of work placement at any metal industry employer of our choice. I underwent my placement and was instantly passionate about the trade. After being offered a job I knew that it was the industry for me.

Where did you do your training for your skill?
TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Tighes Hill Campus

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I first became involved with WorldSkills Australia in my second year of my apprenticeship. My TAFE teacher thought I had the skills and competitive nature to compete. Being a person that loves a challenge and works well under pressure, I knew that WorldSkills Australia was for me. I entered and when my local regional competition came, and I had a serious shock on how hard it was.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
Hunter tafe was where worldskills started for me, my second year tafe teacher Danny Maffione recommended that I went in the regional competition and my journey started from there with the support from family and friends behind me.

What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
Always are friendly, easy going and really get behind you.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
My most memorable experience from world skills thus far would have to be when I was standing on that podium with the gold medal around my neck and knowing that all the blood sweat and tears with hours upon hours of hard work was worth it.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
my world skills experince has been an absolute roller coaster that you just don’t want to get of, its always taking you to bigger and better things and I would encourage others to give it a go, wouldn’t look back.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
WorldSkills Australia has made me grow as a person by taking me out of my comfort zone and testing me in ways I never would have done otherwise. It has made me such a better employee to my boss, mainly with speed accuracy and quality in work, and it has taught me new things and also little tricks of the trade that I could have only learned through WorldSkills Australia.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I currently work at Quality sheet metal Ptd ltd. I am a 4th year apprentice.

What are your future career aspirations?
My goals are to finish my trade and become a tradesman by the time I'm 20. I would like to work my way trough the company and eventually one day owning the keys. Also, would love to do another trade at TAFE to make myself dual-qualified. I am passionate about giving back, so part-time teaching is a may be a goal as well.