Mr Tatel competed in Toyota’s National Skills Competition where he vied for the top honours in the technician category.

The competition was no small feat with over 6,000 people from the Toyota network competing at the regional level and only 30 moving on to the national stage. 

Mr Tatel moved to Australia five years ago to work as a technician at Horsham Toyota. Prior to his move, he worked at Toyota in Philippines for about six years. 

“I love what I do. My father was involved in mechanics back in the Philippines and I followed in his footsteps,” he said. 

While working in the Philippines, Mr Tatel said he was named best technician at Toyota’s National Skills Competition in the Philippines. 

“I won this award in the Philippines and I wanted to challenge myself and try something different,” he said. “When I moved to Australia, I thought I needed to challenge myself again and test my luck.”

Mr Tatel competed at the national competition twice, but missed out on the top honour by only a matter of points. He said was “very determined” to come out on top in his third attempt. 

“I was very grateful. It is a rare scenario to be able to win like that,” he said. 

Mr Tatel said his next goal was to win in the competition’s diagnostic technician category. 

“Right now I am looking forward to a rest and then I will get back on the track,” he said.

“I am looking forward to going for the next category, which is one step above (the technician category)”. 

Horsham Toyota service manager Brad Dwyer said he was proud to have a “determined” and “hardworking” man at the business. He said it was fantastic to have an employee who achieved top honours, working in Horsham.

“Moving from the regionals to nationals is an achievement in itself, but to win it is far and beyond,” he said. 

Mr Dwyer said the company will help Mr Tatel prepare for the diagnostic technician category. 

“There is more training involved to get to that stage, but once he is recognised as a diagnostic technician we can put him in the same scenario but a higher level and that’s achievable,” he said. 

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