Vehicle spray painter and MTA NSW representative Kynan Bonanno is in Lyon, France preparing to compete against the world’s most skilled professionals at the 47th WorldSkills competition.
Taking place until September 14, the event will see the St Clair resident compete against some of the world’s most talented young apprentices in the Car Painting category.
Bonanno will be up against 23 apprentices from as many countries, all of whom will be striving to achieve a flawless, showroom-quality finish under stringent competition standards. The Car Painting category requires participants to restore damaged vehicles to pristine condition, with an emphasis on precision in matching colours, textures, and finishes.
Australia’s WorldSkills squad, the ‘Skillaroos’ have been undergoing months of rigorous training in preparation for the competition, ensuring that Bonanno and his fellow competitors are fully equipped to compete on the global stage.
“The preparation for WorldSkills Lyon has given me the opportunity to train with products that I haven’t used before, and allowed me to build connections in the industry,” Bonanno said.
“I’m excited to experience a new country, and for the insights and learnings I’ll gain from the participants from different parts of the world.
During the competition – which can be live-streamed via the WorldSkills website – he will race against the clock to complete his project within a dedicated time frame before a team of experts evaluates his work in line with WorldSkills International’s strict set of standards. All champions will then be announced and awarded their medals at the event’s closing ceremony on September 15.
Passionate about nurturing the talent of up-and-coming automotive professionals, MTA NSW has ensured Bonanno is equipped to compete at the highest level, covering the costs of his flights, accommodation, and additional training leading up to the competition.
Stavros Yallouridis, CEO of MTA NSW, says the industry body is excited to see its former student represent MTA on the world stage.
“Kynan’s journey to WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is an example of how top-tier training is an asset to the future of the automotive industry. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and excited to see him represent Australia on an international stage,” he said.
Bonanno was chosen for the 2024 Skillaroos Training Squad after his impressive performance in the Automotive Refinishing category at the WorldSkills National Championships in Melbourne, where he secured first place at a regional level and fourth place at the national level.
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