Jack Elvy – first place, soaking up the competition pressure
NZ Young Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Announced
Left to right: Michael Naus – Competitions Manager, Top placegetters – Tim Duncan – third place, Jack Elvy – first place, Caleb Bentham – second place, Trevor Taylor – Board Chair
19 November 2025
Nine young aircraft maintenance engineers and engineers in training showcased their skills under the eagle-eyes of industry expert judges at the tightly fought 2025 WorldSkills New Zealand Aircraft Maintenance Competition. Each competitor completed time-trials and documentation for a daily pre-flight check, structure fabrication, and engine repair and borescope inspection at the two-day event at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Wigram.
Twenty four-year-old Jack Elvy, a Christchurch aircraft engineer trainee from Air New Zealand Christchurch, took out Gold and the title of “New Zealand’s best young aircraft engineer” He was followed closely by Caleb Bentham (23) from Air New Zealand in Auckland with Silver, and Tim Duncan (23) self-employed in Wanaka, with Bronze.
One young engineer, from this trio of top placegetters, may be announced as New Zealand’s representative to the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China in September 2026.
Carl Rankin General Manager, WorldSkills New Zealand is thrilled with the high calibre of competition and industry support for the event. “Healthy competition drives excellence. These engaged, capable aircraft engineers coming through signals great confidence for the aircraft industry. All nine competitors demonstrated a desire to learn, push boundaries and challenge themselves. I’d be very happy to fly on any aircraft they have been working on.”
“Competition also provides measurement and benchmarking opportunities. It benefits individuals, employers, and the wider industry, and well as New Zealand Inc through increases in productivity and higher standards.”
