Nineteen year old Wayne Grima, from Sydney’s St Clair, has beaten nine other young apprentices from across Australia and New Zealand, and been named the Snap-On Tools Apprentice of the Year.

The Snap-On Tools Apprentice of the Year program awards excellence amongst third and fourth year auto electricians, motor mechanics, spray painters and panel beaters. Entrants compete on their ability to excel in their chosen field and are judged by industry experts from Summernats, NRMA Insurance, Rocket Industries and Street Machine magazine.

Grima recently completed his motor mechanic apprenticeship at Wetherill Park College at the South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, and as this year’s Apprentice of the Year, will receive $9,000 worth of Snap-On tools and products and an exclusive experience at Summernats Car Festival.

“It is an amazing feeling to have won this year’s Snap-On Tools Apprentice of the Year Award,” he said. “I really thought I had a great chance at winning this year and I strongly believe I will be involved with the auto scene for my whole life. I hope that I can inspire other young apprentices through my achievement. I’d really like to share my passion for building cars with other people.”

Steve Jones, national sales manager at Snap-On, said: “The Apprenticeship of the Year Award recognises the inspirational role that these young people play in the industry. Apprentices are a fundamental part of the automotive industry’s future and will ensure that a high level of trade skills is retained in Australia.”