Careers in the automotive industry are often overlooked by young people, but Kynan Bonanno has found his stride and passion for spray painting vehicles, and is embracing every opportunity the industry has to offer.
Swapping the outer suburbs of Sydney for Lyon, France, third year spray painting apprentice, Kynan Bonanno represented Australia in September at the WorldSkills International Competition.
Bonanno currently works at his father’s business, Boxalls Automotive Industries in Pendle Hill, New South Wales. He says he inherited a passion for automotive and spray painting from his father, and was inspired to follow in his footsteps.
“He helped me restore my first car at the age of 15,” Bonanno says.
“His passion for cars and dedication to teaching others is something I really look up to.”
With only three and a half years in the industry, Bonanno has already achieved significant feats in his career.
“Being the WorldSkills National Winner, a WorldSkills Skillaroo and being nominated for Apprentice of the Year for NSW have all been highlights so far,” Bonanno says.
WorldSkills Competition
The Olympics of trade skills, the WorldSkills International Competition was held in Lyon France, from the 10-15th of September. Bonanno competed in the Car Painting category with 23 participants from around the world.
“My favourite part about going to France was meeting all kinds of people from Australia and from all around the world,” Bonanno says.
“Seeing how different people work, even though we are in the same industry was awesome to watch.”
The Car Painting category at the WorldSkills Competition requires participants to restore damaged vehicles to pristine condition, with an emphasis on precision in matching colours, textures, and finishes.
Participants need to present their finish products in a flawless, showroom-quality finish under stringent competition standards.
Outside of the Competition, the Skillaroos were able to experience all that Lyon had to offer.
“We went to a local school to learn about French culture and meet young students from the school,” Bonanno says.
“The Car Painting competitors were all taken to a Car Museum in Lyon to see the history of old European cars, which was a cool experience.”
Representing the MTA NSW, Bonanno finished 12th at the 47th WorldSkills Competition and was proud of his time spent in Lyon.
“There is always room for improvement, and I always strive to be better. I am proud of what I have accomplished,” Bonanno says.
Before travelling to Lyon, Bonanno already proved his skills at his impressive performance at the Automotive Refinishing category at the WorldSkills National Championships in Melbourne. Bonanno secured first place at the regional level, and then won fourth place at a national level.
Learning and growing
Before travelling to Lyon and being chosen to represent Australia on the world stage, Bonanno was chosen as a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category by the MTA New South Wales in July.
In preparation for the International Competition, Bonanno underwent months of training to qualify him for the 2024 Skillaroos Training Squad.
“The training I received prior to the competition from 3M and Glasurit was eye opening,” Bonanno says.
“Learning how to use water-based paints was really interesting as it is not a system I had used before,” Bonanno says.
Bonanno told NCR in May that his motivation came from the finished product and pursuing the perfect job.
“Some panel repairers talk about the feeling of a finished job but for a painter it’s even better, once you see that shiny paint, it is something else,” he said while competing in Melbourne.
Preparing for the international competition, Bonanno learned how to navigate the strict standards of the Competition.
“The preparation for WorldSkills Lyon has given me the opportunity to train with products that I haven’t used before, and allowed me to build connections in the industry,” Bonanno says.
Well supported
MTA NSW ensured Bonanno was equipped to compete at the highest level and covered the costs of his flights, accommodation, and additional training leading up to the competition.
MTA NSW Stavros Yallouridis, CEO says the industry body was excited to see its former student represent MTA on the world stage.
“Kynan’s journey to WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is an example of how top-tier training is an asset to the future of the automotive industry. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and excited to see him represent Australia on an international stage.”
After returning from the WorldSkills Competition, Bonanno is back working with his father in the family business.
“The Competition was great, but now I am working towards finishing my apprenticeship,” Bonanno says.
“Beyond that I want to play a larger role in the family business which I am really looking forward to.”