After discovering his passion for heavy vehicles in high school, Queensland mechanic apprentice Lachlan Wright found himself on the WorldSkills National Championships podium
The WorldSkills Heavy Vehicle Mechanics competition is not for the faint-hearted.
Competitors are assessed on their ability to diagnose, repair and maintain heavy vehicles, ensuring they adhere to industry standards.
For competitor Lachlan Wright, a heavy vehicle mechanic apprentice, he first discovered his trade when he participated in TAFE Queensland’s ‘Try A Trade’ program in high school.
“I chose to pursue heavy vehicle mechanics because of the variety and different challenges faced on a day-to-day basis,” he says.
At the regional iteration of the competition, Wright took out Gold, but he says the experience was not without its challenges.
“It was learning the skills required for the variety of tasks and equipment we’re required to work on during the competition,” he says.
“To overcome this, I spent a lot of time working with experienced technicians, helping me to build processes to work through tasks and allowing an opportunity to ask questions, helping to clarify uncertainty.”
It certainly paid off, with Wright taking out the Silver Medal at the 2025 national championships, a feat he describes as his “proudest moment so far”.
He adds the entire WorldSkills experience has been enlightening.
“It’s taught me to say yes to whatever opportunities arise because you never know where they might lead you,” Wright says.
His workplace, Volvo Commercial Vehicles Australia – which is the primary commercial vehicle distribution centre for Volvo Trucks, UD Trucks, and Mack Trucks in Queensland and New South Wales – has also played a major role in his development.
“I’ve learnt that you must be flexible and able to adapt, you never know what might happen or what you’ll be doing next,” Wright says.
“I’ve also learnt that being organised and prepared helps greatly in succeeding with the tasks at hand.”
Down the track, his future goals are straightforward and inspiring.
“Beyond the competition, I want to continue to grow and improve as a mechanic, while also studying further as an auto electrician,” Wright says.
“I’d also like to help educate and encourage more young people to enter trades.”