Mr Winslade came out on top after eligible apprentices were tested on picking, impressioning, lock fitting, master keying, safe diagnostics and general knowledge by the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia.
The day-long competition, which included both theory and practical testing, aimed to find the best locksmith in Australia and New Zealand.
Industry specialists reviewed and compared all the workpieces and determined Mr Winslade the best of the bunch after he nudged out two other strong competitors by two points.
For his efforts, the now workshop foreman at Parramatta family business Independent Locksmiths & Security will head off to Europe in May to visit Abus, a security technology company in Germany, and Italy’s Silca factory where key cutting machines are manufactured.
Joining him will be master keying manager, Keiran McGovern, who said Mr Winslade had set an impressive benchmark for the company’s other seven apprentices.
Among them is Mr Winslade’s brother Harry and Parramatta Eels junior representative player Dylan Brown who said he hoped to follow in Mr Winslade’s award winning footsteps.
Mr Winslade said he was working at McDonald’s part time when he got the call from Independent Locksmiths & Security to join their team.
“It’s very exciting,” he said of being named the 2017 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year.
“I’ve not been to Europe before,” he added.
Independent Locksmiths & Security director Michael McGovern said Mr Winslade’s award win was “well deserved” after he had shown dedication and professionalism on the job.
“This award means a lot to us. We have been very proud to have two previous apprentices win the Master Locksmiths
Association of Australasia award: Jason Lane in 1992 and back in 1989 Wayne Eagles won the award. Wayne has been with our business for 30 years and is now one of our Business Development Managers and is a specialist in master
keying.”
Mr McGovern started Independent Locksmiths & Security in Parramatta more than 40 years ago and today the business is one of the leading commercial locksmith companies in Sydney, specialising in major commercial projects and national service and facilities maintenance contracts.
