Boys from the bush beat competition at WorldSkills awards

Two young employees from James Yeates Printing and Design win at this year’s WorldSkills Australia National Competition.

19-year-old apprentices, Tim Pacheco and Nicolas Sharp of James Yeates Printing and Design in rural Bairnsdale took out gold and silver respectively at the gruelling three-day competition in Brisbane last week.

Pacheco (pictured) said that the competition was tough: “It was a very intense three days, it was a good feeling when it was over.” Pacheco had to take some time out from the competition to attend RMIT in Melbourne where he won this year’s Beazley Award for outstanding apprentice.

“I was a bit overwhelmed,” he said on winning two awards in one week.

Pacheco was particularly proud that his co-worker, Nicolas Sharp was awarded the silver. “I was really happy for him and pleased that we both did well,” he said.

The boy’s boss, Bob Yeates, managing director, shared their joy. “It’s exciting for both the boys because we live in the country and have won gold,” he said. “Bowling over the city folk is a big tick for all the Australians living in the bush.”

22-year-old Ann McClymont of Geon in Brisbane won bronze. McClymont, who has only just finished her prepress apprenticeship at the company, has already won a number of awards, including TAFE apprentice of the year at Southbank Institute.

According to Ian Brockwell, prepress manager at Geon, who was with McClymont when she won the award, it was a well-deserved win. “She was over-the-moon,” he said. “Ann said that it was a very difficult competition, but she was very happy with the results.”