General News
26 June, 2025
Local returns from national skills stage
Warracknabeal's Aiden Keys has returned home after a week of exciting competition on the WorldSkills Australia stage in Queensland.
Showcasing his welding skills as he represented Victoria, Mr Keys competed in three challenges: plate welds, pressure vessel and tig.
Although he didn't finish with the result he had hoped for, it was an achievement to finish in the top 18 welders in Australia.
"It was a great experience," Mr Keys said.
"I loved it. To even be selected was special."
He competed in the regional competition in Swan Hill in June in 2024, where he won the Sunraysia regional welding section, allowing him to be a part of the state team.
Held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Mr Keys said there were 600 competitors in the National Championships more than 36 trades in construction and building technology, creative arts and fashion, social and personal services and more.
He studied at SuniTAFE in Swan Hill where he completed a Certificate lll in engineering metal fabrication.
"Swan Hill was the closest TAFE to offer the course," Mr Keys said.
Now a qualified engineer, he is currently undertaking a diesel mechanic apprenticeship at O'Connors in Warracknabeal.
"I love it so far," he said.
Mr Keys said the official competition results are due to come out in the coming weeks.