Five minutes with…Mitchell Jackson

Returning Construction Steel Work competitor Mitchell Jackson is gearing up for the National Championships, “In 2016 I competed and came 6^th, this year I am very excited to challenge myself more and put in the hard yards to bring home a medal for my home state and region,” he explains.

Mitchell has been working hard on his skills, preparing himself to achieve even higher than his 2016 result “I’m hoping I can do better this year and try and get on the podium but of course I’m aiming for gold”.  For his second time competing at the National Championships he has been putting all his effort into preparation. “Training four days a week at work and on weekends while still working 10 hours a day sometimes 7 day a week. Putting all my hobbies on hold to get as much training as I can before the Championship,” he explains.

Currently employed by Thales Australia as a boilmaker ship repairer, Mitchell completed his studies in heavy steel fabrication at Mount Druitt, TAFE NSW in November 2016. He has had many opportunities through his employment saying a highlight was working on the “world’s biggest naval ships and cruise liners at Garden Island”.

Mitchell expresses a deep passion for his trade “I fell in love with being able to turn something from a flat sheet of steel to a wonderful thing that show how much work I have put in to it”. He was introduced to the trade by his father; Peter Jackson, “my dad would be the one who inspired me to do what I am doing today. He is my role model, he has taught me everything about steel.”

Mitchell describes himself as outgoing, selfless and motivated and wants to continue working hard. “I want to put all my efforts in to work, so I can move up the ladder to bigger roles and be able to teach young apprentices all I know about my trade” he explains.

Students undertaking a VET course to train in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) skills, may be eligible for a $1,000 Jobs of Tomorrow scholarship. Visit VET.nsw.gov.au for more #VETopensdoors