Winnipeg, Manitoba — Team Canada’s WorldSkills Lyon 2024 autobody competitor, James Bartel, is busy training for the international competition, which is just over a month away.
Justin Zelinski from Color Compass conducted a training session for Bartel at the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) training centre last week. According to WorldSkills expert Bill Speed, Bartel will be in Toronto in August to sit in on a four-day training session with Betag and Flatline.
“I would like to thank all the industry supporters for their continued support of our youth,” Speed told Collision Repair.
Fascinated with cars since he was a child, Bartel was introduced to autobody in high school.
“One of the things I find fascinating is watching the transformation from something that most people would call junk into a fully functioning vehicle. I would love to work at a luxury auto repair shop, working with fancy cars, one day,” said Bartel.
Bartel was introduced to WorldSkills by his high school instructor.
“I think my biggest challenge [in Lyon] will probably be the fact that I will be one of the youngest competitors competing against more experienced tradespeople.
“The best advice I’ve ever received is: ‘Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great, too.”
