A Bendigo TAFE apprentice has taken out gold at the WorldSkills Central Victoria regional refrigeration and air-conditioning competition.
Blake Greenwood, 19, went up against apprentices from across the region in recently with a simple mindset, and came out on top.
“I sort of just went into it, you know, I have nothing to lose, give it all I've got,” said Blake.
“When I found out that I won, I was pretty stoked.”
WorldSkills is a global competition that promotes vocational education, trades and apprenticeships. Often described as the ‘Olympics of skills’, it brings together students and apprentices from more than 80 countries to compete and showcase their expertise.
For Blake, the competition was as much about mindset as it was technical skill.
“I learned how to present work neater and how slowing down and taking your time can go a long way,” he said.
His regional win has now put him on the next pathway – Blake will be invited to apply for Team Victoria later this year, with the potential to represent the state at the 2027 WorldSkills Australia National Championships.
It’s a long way from where he first started.
“Going through school, I always wanted to be in some sort of trade,” Blake said.
“Originally I wanted to be an electrician, but then I got approached by a refrigeration company and did a week of work experience and I found that I liked that more and enjoyed it, so went on with that.”
Blake’s win comes at a time when employers are struggling to find skilled tradespeople, with only around two-thirds of jobs being filled nationally – putting a spotlight on the value of young apprentices building excellence in critical trades.
It’s across TAFE, the workplace and competitions like WorldSkills that apprentices develop – and prove – their skills.
Blake is quick to point to the people behind the scenes, including his teachers who helped him refine his skills and keep him on track.
“They helped me by ensuring I was up to date with all my work, pushed me to do the best I can,” Blake said.
“They helped me finalise any little skills to touch up on before the competition.”
He was also backed by his employer, Darren Berry of Berry Refrigeration, who supported him throughout the process.
“Blake’s a good boy, very humble and willing to learn,” Darren said.
“It’s all about encouraging him, teaching him, challenging him on how to think – and not to limit his own capabilities.
“I’m very excited for him – he’s accomplished something that can’t ever be taken from him, and hopefully he’ll do well in the Australian finals. I’m proud of what’s he done – he’s given it a hundred percent, that’s all anyone could ask.”
Blake’s advice to other apprentices is simple:
“Just take a step back, breathe and relax, and just do your best. That's all you can do at the end of the day,” Blake said.
While WorldSkills has opened new opportunities, Blake remains focused on continuing to build his skills in the trade.
Now working primarily across domestic jobs – with commercial work on the horizon – he says the appeal is the variety.
“Every day on the job's usually different. Nothing's usually repetitive,” Blake said.
“Wouldn't mind owning my own business one day and passing on my knowledge to future tradespeople,” he said.
Now in his third year as an apprentice, Blake is pursuing the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at Bendigo TAFE’s Charleston Road Campus.
