Evan rises to the top with WorldSkills baking gold

The Coles Gympie baker has turned an unexpected career choice into national competition success, supported by his employer, mentor and apprenticeship training with TAFE Queensland.

Now, with his sights set on the next stage of WorldSkills and a future in artisan baking, Evan is just getting started.

Working as a baker was not always part of Evan’s plan. Before finding his calling, he explored furniture making, engineering, construction and plumbing, but a friend’s interest in baking sparked his curiosity.

“I started watching some videos and did some work experience and absolutely loved it,” Evan said.

A school industry day then connected him with his local Coles store manager, and within two weeks, he was working in the Gympie supermarket’s bakery - taking the first step towards an apprenticeship and a career he loves.

That opportunity led Evan to an apprenticeship and intensive block training with TAFE Queensland, where he could focus on his craft for three weeks at a time alongside other Coles apprentices from across the state, as he completed a Certificate III in Bread Baking (FBP30421).

“It was great to have three weeks in TAFE Queensland’s world-class kitchens, using industry standard equipment, learning new techniques from the experienced teachers and making great memories with bakers from all over Queensland,” he said.

The hands-on training gave him room to experiment with flavours and techniques, tackle complex products and build a strong foundation for the workplace.

“My teachers at TAFE are amazing. Everyone is so helpful and kind. They make things fun and exciting and clearly have a passion for what they do,” Evan said.

With extra coaching from teacher and WorldSkills mentor Richard Hibbert, Evan’s confidence and capability grew quickly.

“I pretty much had zero skills coming into the course, and now I feel I can do this stuff in my sleep - which I don’t get much of due to my 1 am work shifts,” he said.

Equipped with job-ready skills, Evan was keen to test himself when Richard encouraged him to enter baking competitions.

Preparation for the competitions demanded serious commitment, with Evan spending his only day off training at TAFE Queensland each week, refining the products and techniques he would need under competition pressure.

“There was a lot of trial and error and experimentation,” he said.

The work paid off with Evan winning a gold medal at WorldSkills Brisbane Region and second place at Bake Skills Australia.

“Winning WorldSkills was and amazing feeling. It proved that hard work pays off and that I have a lot of skills and knowledge. It was also a great feeling to be able to make my family proud,” Evan said.

The result was followed by a runner-up finish at Bake Skills Australia, placing Evan second nationally.

“Second in Australia is not bad at all. I was very happy with the results and very proud of what I could accomplish within that competition.”

Evan will begin training with Richard in early 2027 for the next stage of WorldSkills, which will see him compete against the best up and coming bakers from around Queensland.

“I’m most looking forward to competing on a against the best in the state with an eye on going to nationals. I already feel very accomplished to be doing all this at 19.”

For Evan, that combination of workplace experience, structured training and mentoring has given him the confidence to aim higher.

With competition experience already under his belt, Evan is now looking beyond the bakery floor in Gympie. His biggest passion is artisan baking, particularly sourdough and French pastries.

Inspired in part by his parents’ time living in France, he hopes to work in a French bakery or study at a pastry school before returning to Australia to open an artisan bakery of his own.

A family trip to Europe next year will give him the chance to explore potential workplaces and learn more about the industry overseas.

With two major competition results, a clear ambition and a strong support network behind him, Evan’s baking career is rising fast. But for now, he remains driven by the simple reward at the heart of his trade.

“I love that I get to make people happy with my baked goods and that people look forward to the stuff I make. I especially love making my family fresh food,” Evan concluded.