Experience lights up way to Brazil

Cameron Shailer is making his way to Brazil for the WorldSkills Competition. Photo / File

A Rotorua sparky is gearing up to represent New Zealand on the world stage following his success at the Oceania WorldSkills Competition.

Cameron Shailer, 21, represented New Zealand in the electrical installations skill category of the competition in Hamilton last week.

He said the competition went well but he "definitely had things to improve on".

"There were three of us competing, me and the reps from China and Malaysia. Although I've only received a tentative mark at this stage, I think I did all right."

Mr Shailer was given a tentative mark of 79.55 out of 100 which he said "was pretty good for this competition".

"The tasks in the competition were quite technical and you had to do them in a small area in a short amount of time so there wasn't really room for error."

Mr Shailer said 30 per cent of the competition was changed on the day to prevent competitors memorising the tasks.

"I definitely think having part of the competition changed on the day played in my favour because I am a tradie and have worked in the industry.

"The other competitors trained specifically for the competition, without having ever worked as a tradesman. I think that could have been a disadvantage for them as they wouldn't have had the same depth of background knowledge as me.

"When you come into the competition having only learned a skill for the competition and an issue is thrown at you that you don't know how to fix, it's harder to find a solution."

Mr Shailer, originally from Manawatu, has been a qualified electrician since February and has lived in Rotorua since 2011.

He said he was now jumping straight back into training for the WorldSkills Competition in Brazil in August, which will involve competitors from 73 countries across 50 trades.

"There is a lot I need to prepare for ... but I'm feeling good."