What’s Happening?
Rockhampton apprentice locksmith Lochlan Brady will head to Melbourne for the John Andrew Apprentice of the Year competition.
The Ruswin worker begins testing on Tuesday, 29 September, alongside shortlisted apprentices in the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia event.
Why It Matters?
Association president Martin Coote said the competition reflects how much locksmithing has changed.
“Locksmithing has changed enormously over the years, and today’s apprentices are developing skills across everything from traditional locks and safes through to automotive security and electronic access systems,” Mr Coote said. “The competition gives apprentices like Lochlan the chance to test those skills alongside others from across the industry and show people what a career in locksmithing actually looks like today.”
Local Impact
Brady attended Rockhampton State High and spent time after school caring for his mother, who has a disability. He later applied for an advertised job at a local locksmith shop and found his way into the trade.
He said helping customers feel safe is what drew him to locksmithing and remains the most rewarding part of his apprenticeship.
“I was inspired to pursue a career in locksmithing due to the rising crime rate and the want to make people safer in their own homes. The most rewarding part of being a locksmith and an apprentice is definitely being able to go to a customer in dire need and being able to make them feel comfortable and secure after a break-in.”
By The Numbers
- Brady turns 27 on the day his Melbourne testing begins.
- The competition includes two days of practical testing, on 29 and 30 September.
- Apprentices from two countries, Australia and New Zealand, compete for the award.
Zoom In
The challenges cover safe manipulation, lock picking, automotive locksmithing, master keying and other technical work. Brady said he has been practising daily for the assessments.
“I’m practicing every day with mock exams of the practical tests that’ll occur down in Melbourne, such as picking, lock fitting, and manipulation. I have high confidence in my ability to perform well for the upcoming JAAOTY (John Andrew Apprentice of the Year) tests in Melbourne. I also look forward to meeting the other highly skilled contestants that I’ll be going up against.”
Zoom Out
For young people in Rockhampton considering a trade, Brady recommends seeing the work firsthand.
“If you’re interested in a trade, I would recommend doing work experience for someone who does the trade you’re interested in to give you some real-world experience of what the trade does day to day. If you do get the job never stop learning, there will always be something new that you’ve never seen before.”
What To Look For Next?
The association says it will announce the winner on Saturday, 3 October, at its gala dinner in Melbourne. The winner and their supervisor will receive a fully funded trip to Europe to visit lock and key manufacturers.
For Brady, winning would also mean travelling outside Australia for the first time.
“Well, for one, it’d be the first time I’ve gone out of Australia, but I’m most looking forward to seeing the lock factories in Germany and Italy and experiencing the rich history of locksmithing in other countries.”
