From Wallie Askew comp to the world stage

Pictured L-R Elliot Farnan and Jack Butler

While Kiwis are basking in the success of the Paris Olympics, one young refrigeration engineer is boarding a plane to France to pit his skills and determination at another world challenge

Jack Butler will compete at the 47th WorldSkills International competition in mid-September. The competition is the gold standard of skills excellence. Over 1,500 young people from over 65 countries and regions will compete in 62 trade and vocational skill competitions.

The newly qualified refrigeration engineer got his first taste for competition at the 2023 Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition, held in Palmerston North last October.

In May this year, Jack took out Silver and Best in Nation at the WorldSkills Australia Global Skills competition in Melbourne. He competed against young refrigeration engineers from Australia, Austria, Brazil and Hong Kong. His win has given him a brilliant boost for his run-up to the WorldSkills International competition.

Since selection, Jack has been training and attending team camps to prepare for living and competing in Lyon. As he sets off for France, he becomes the first New Zealand representative to compete at this world class level in the refrigeration, heating and air conditioning skill.