Young Smash Repairs spray painting apprentice Lachlan Summerfield has been recognised as one of the Collision Repairs Industry's future leaders.
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Lachlan is one of just seven TAFE students across NSW and ACT to receive this year's PPG Industries scholarship, designed to support and mentor young people through their apprenticeship.
Lachlan was recommended by his TAFE Wagga Vehicle Painting Department head teacher Ian Chalmers, after he completed the first year of his apprenticeship with flying colours.
His employer, Jimmy Robinson at Young Smash Repairs, says he's never met a more polite young person, and said it's a pleasure to mentor such an enthusiastic painter.
"From the day he started he's been an excellent apprentice. I've never met a kid as polite, on a Friday afternoon he'll come up to me after the week's done and dusted and thank me. You don't get that out of young blokes these days," Jimmy Robinson said.
"He's going to be a great asset for the industry. It's going to be great to see what he can do when he's qualified, he wants to learn and wants to do it."
As part of the scholarship, Lachlan will attend training days at the PPG Industries facility in Eastern Creek, and he's received new equipment including a spray gun, airfed hood, jacket, bag and spray overalls.
Trevor Duke from PPG Industries said it's important to recognise young people who are excelling in the industry at such a young age.
"It's about giving these kids more information and knowledge and helping build them up to be future leaders. These kids are the future of the industry," he said.
"It's a trade that is struggling to get kids into.
"It's important that we award kids that have the drive to succeed and it might drag some more into the industry."
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The scholarship winners will receive increased knowledge of factory processes, industry standards, colour matching skills, new technologies and trends, blending techniques, paint faults and rectification, waterbourne technology as well as business solutions on front end office work, understanding the importance of hourly rates as well as identifying and implementing processes when working in the automotive industry.
"We give them a bit more direction and information which gives them a massive benefit," Trevor Duke said.
"We keep in contact with them once they are tradesmen and continue to support them."
Lachlan, 16, thanked his TAFE teacher Ian Chalmers and said he wants to stay in the industry all his life.
"My Dad got me into it, he's a panel beater. I love it, it's really good and it's what I want to continue to do."
