SWAN View apprentice Tristan Palmer (21) has been named a finalist in the WA Apprentice of the Year awards.
Mr Palmer, who works at Kmart Tyre and Auto in Joondalup, said he had been interested in mechanics since he was a child.
“My interest in cars stems back to my dad, who was also a mechanic,” he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“I always liked tinkering around with cars and pulling things apart and putting them back together.”
Mr Palmer said it was after he graduated from Swan View Senior High School that he decided to turn his love of cars into a career.
“When I left school I felt pressure to go out and get a qualification and get a job,” he said.
“Fast-forward three years and I am just weeks away from completing a certificate III in light vehicle mechanical technology at North Metropolitan Tafe in Midland.
“From there I have aspirations to work in leadership roles and I have the overwhelming support from my company, which is confident that is where my future is heading.”
If Mr Palmer wins his category in the awards he will have the opportunity to represent WA in the Australian Training Awards later this year.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said the awards program opened doors and gave finalists opportunities to take their skills even further. “The training sector is key to our economic future and our goal is to build a strong training sector to boost the economy and the WA Training Awards support this,” she said.
Winners will be announced at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, September 15.
Other individual finalists include York resident Lalida Udomsak, who is vying for the WA Cultural Diversity Training Award, Bennett Springs resident Kumbirai Gono, who is in the running for the WA International Student of the Year, and Lauren Brunalli, Maida Vale WA School-based Apprentice of the Year.
MORE: Police hunt man after attack on elderly female postie
MORE: Perth punter wins $6 million Powerball windfall
MORE: Celebrant pleads guilty to marrying unconscious, dying woman