Fielding engineer wins place on ‘Tool Blacks’ skills team

Fielding engineer wins chance place on ‘Tool Blacks’ skills team

An Auckland based Royal New Zealand Air Force engineer has won the opportunity to join the ‘Tool Blacks’ and demonstrate his trade skills on the world stage.

Mike West, originally from Fielding, won the ATTTO Aircraft Maintenance category at the national World Skills final in Christchurch this weekend. He faced stiff competition from three other RNZAF engineers at the competition, which featured skills tests on aircraft structures, engine component replacement, daily inspections, control management and engine inspection.

Mike is a Leading Aircraftman and propulsion systems technician at Base Auckland, Whenuapai. His job involves servicing and repairing C-130 Hercules, Boeing 757, SH2G Seasprite and P3K Orion propulsion systems. He has been in the Air Force since 2007.

He said: “Travelling to Germany for the Worldskills international final will be a great opportunity to find out how our Air Force team measures up against other organisations.

“In December 2010 I travelled as part of a team to Antarctica which included carrying out maintenance on an RNZAF C-130 Hercules. Completing a propeller change on the Ice in sub-zero conditions was a huge challenge. The most satisfying part was flying home on the aircraft knowing what work had just been done and how hard we all had worked to get the job done.

“The Air Force puts you out of your comfort zone which allows you to experience things that you would not usually get to experience. If anyone is considering a trade and is not sure what they want to study, the Air Force offers a variety of trades in which you’re paid to learn. Doesn’t get much better than that.”

The World Skills competition sees young people, accompanied by their teachers and trainers, gather together to compete publicly in the skills of their respective trades, and also to test themselves against demanding international standards. The national winners in their respective trades will go on to join the ‘Tool Blacks’ at the global final in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.

ATTTO and RNZAF had joined forces to hold the aircraft maintenance section of the competition for New Zealand and the aviation sector. This is the first time this category has been held in New Zealand, although it has been a long standing category internationally.

Debbie Martindale, Deputy Chief Executive at ATTTO said: “Congratulations to Mike on his win this weekend, the sheer quality of talent shown by all the competitors ensured that it was a tough competition.

“Competitions like World Skills are perfect for us to support as they highlight the quality and variety of trades throughout the country. ATTTO works closely with the RNZAF to ensure that all their staff are trained to world leading standards fit to meet the challenge of a complex and critical job.

“We wish Mike well in 2013 when he will go to Leipzig to compete with top engineers from throughout the world, and hopefully contribute to the success of the NZ ToolBlacks team.”

For more information about the World Skills competition visit www.worldskills.org.nz and for more information about jobs and training in aviation and the RNZAF, visit www.nzskillsconnect.co.nz

The finalists are all Leading Aircraftsmen and were nominated by their commanders. They are:

• Julian Huzinga, 23, originally from Bucklands Beach, Auckland. He is an Aircraft Technician, maintaining the C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757 aircraft, and is based with 40 Squadron in Auckland.
• Charles Lasenby, 23, originally from Singapore. He is a Leading Aircraftman, Aircraft technician, maintaining the A109 Helicopter, and is based at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
• Mike West, originally from Fielding, Waikato. He is an Aircraft Propulsion Systems Technician based at RNZAF Base Auckland.
• Hamish Ward, originally from Wellington.

ENDS

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