Kaydo Wirihana is the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for September 2023.
The New Zealand-born 19-year-old is about to finish the second year of his auto refinishing (spray painting) apprenticeship and has impressed both his employer and MTA Institute trainer with his ability, work ethic, and passion for the work. He is, his employer said, reliable, enthusiastic, skilled, takes pride in his job, and is a natural talent.
Just a few years ago, however, being an automotive painter was not something that Kaydo was necessarily thinking about as a career. While at school, his mum suggested he look for work and reached out to Lowry’s to set up a bit of work experience.
“I thought it looked pretty cool and tried it out,” said Kaydo. “They’re all really friendly here, and I did one week of work experience, and when the week ended they asked me to come back the next week. I kept on going and before you know it, I was working here.”
A short time later and Kaydo was an employee and had started his apprenticeship. And he hasn’t looked back, proving to be a gifted painter and using his blossoming skills to help the Lowry’s team repair, to factory condition, a diverse range of vehicles that come through the workshop.
“We do a lot of insurance work, and we work on any make or model apart from motorbikes and trucks,” said Kaydo. “And I am doing pretty much any paint job now apart from the flash, multi-layer pearl jobs – I have to go down to do a course in Brisbane with PPG to learn some of that.”
The work, and the team with whom he does that work, makes the job of painting a really enjoyable experience he added. And seeing the finished product – a damaged vehicle returned to pristine condition – is really satisfying.
“The blokes I work with are heaps of fun, and we get a lot of work done,” he said. “And It is pretty cool to see a bush-bashed HiLux go out looking like new! We get a few of those.”
From the beginning of his apprenticeship, Kaydon has been doing his training with the MTA Institute, and has been, according to his trainer Keiran Charters, excelling in every requirement.
“He is a good listener, and when I am teaching him something he listens intently, asks questions, and shows a passion for the trade,” said Keiran. “He always completes his work for when I get there and, all-in-all, he’s a great bloke and it’s a pleasure to go and visit and work with him.”
While just 19, and still with a couple of years to go until he has completed his qualification, Kaydo’s ambition is simple and direct – to be good at his job, be successful and, perhaps, to one day run his own shop. We are sure he’ll make it.
The MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month is proudly sponsored by Spirit Super.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (October 2023)
24 October 2023
