Community & Business
26 November, 2025
Apprentice gears up for national glory
AN apprentice at John Cole Toyota is preparing to take on the best from Toyota Australia Networks this month as he competes in the Toyota National Skills Competition in Melbourne, representing Queensland in the Apprentice Technician category.
After securing the regional title against entrants from Queensland and Northern New South Wales dealerships, Tom Mitchell now stands among only five apprentice technicians nationwide competing for the national honour.
Tom has been part of the John Cole Toyota team for almost four years, and his enthusiasm for mechanical work runs well beyond the workshop.
When he isn’t perfecting his skills on the tools, he’s often racing or go-karting, putting both his technical knowledge and competitive drive to good use.
“I’ve always had a passion for working on cars, and that inspired me to pursue a career as a technician,” Tom said.
“Winning the national title would mean a lot. I’m excited to put my skills and experience to the test.”
With Melbourne ahead, Tom is also looking forward to the travel and the chance to visit Toyota’s Centre of Excellence for the first time.
He encouraged apprentices and young people considering a career in the automotive industry to take the first step.
“Get in touch with a local dealer and try some work experience. That’s what I did with John Cole Toyota, and it made all the difference,” Tom said.
The entire team is really proud to see Tom representing both the dealership and the community at a national level.
