Skilled carpentry apprentice Rabia Choolun wins gold at WorldSkills competition

A talented Boyup Brook carpentry apprentice awarded a gold medal at the WorldSkills competition in Bunbury has been recognised at a gala event last month.

Rabia Choolun competed in the open category in carpentry and joinery at the competition held at the Bunbury TAFE campus in September, winning a gold medal.

The South Regional TAFE student and former pre-apprentice of the year winner said she was honoured and delighted to be among the WorldSkills medallists who were celebrated at the gala breakfast event at the Crown Ballroom on November 25.

“I was excited and I was shocked honestly,” she said.

“It was very unreal, I can’t believe I won,” she said. “It didn’t hit me straight away.”

The second-year apprentice with Karamfiles Builders is currently completing her Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery training with SR TAFE.

Ms Choolun said entering the competition was a wonderful way to test her skills.

“On the day, it was just like another day in the workshop with no pressure and I had fun,” she said.

“There was a moment of truth when I had to stand the sawhorse I’d made upright and see if it wobbles — and there was no wobbles and I thought ‘oh yes!’.”

Ms Choolun said she walked away from the competition feeling proud of her performance.

“My practices weren’t perfect and just to be frankly honest my first go that I had I was not really good,” she said.

“It was trickier than I expected but when I did it on the day, everything went right.”

Ms Choolun said she came into the competition thinking “whatever will be will be”.

“I did my best and put my all in.”

The Mauritius-born apprentice said she discovered her love for working with her hands in high school and decided she’d rather be outside working in the sun than sitting behind a desk.

“I really enjoy it,” she said.

Ms Choolun said she was very appreciative of the expertise from her lecturers Wayne Sidebottom, Colin Spalding, Greg Knobloch and Adam Mathews.

Karamfiles Builders co-owner Franzine Karamfiles said the team already knew Ms Choolun had the abilities required for carpentry and said they were happy she received the recognition she deserved.

“As employers we’re thrilled for her,” she said.

Ms Choolun has been selected to be part of Team WA with the potential to participate at the national WorldSkills competition in Victoria next year.