By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Dylan Di Martino is no Ian Thorpe or Shane Gould … but he’s an Olympian in his own right.
The 21-year-old Hillside man will be travelling to Brazil this week to represent Australia at the WorldSkills 2015 competition, hoping to woo the judges with his extraordinary plumbing techniques.
The competition, colloquially referred to as the Tradies’ Olympics, judges young tradespeople in diverse fields. Mr Di Martino, who recently finished his apprenticeship, says he entered regional competitions in 2013 with no expectation of making it this far.
“It surprises me what you can really achieve when you put your mind to it,” Mr Di Martino said. “Two or three years ago, prior to starting WorldSkills, I never would’ve thought I could be in the position I am now – I’ve grown a lot more.”
Mr Di Martino works for his dad and has no plans of abandoning that ship, but says the competition is a great platform for people wanting to launch their careers.
“I’ve grown, skill-wise … we’re involved in a very elite circle, surrounded by like-minded people striving to achieve the best,” he said.
“To be involved in that circle enhances you as a person … and, if you are the type of person looking for a career in that field or looking for a platform to start your business, you can build it straight on the back of the competition.”
Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor met Mr Di Martino last Tuesday to congratulate him.
“I am sure Dylan and the team will do the nation proud,” he said. Mr Di Martino is among 25 Australian ‘Skillaroos’ heading to Sao Paulo this year. The competition runs from August 11-16.
