Septuagenarian gets machining certification, sets sights on university
Septuagenarian gets machining certification, sets sights on university
2026-05-01
The continuing education department at National Caotun Vocational Senior High School boasts a gold-star student who also happens to be in his golden years! 73-year-old Tsai Chia-tsai not only comes out top of his class every semester, but also spent a year of rigorous study to earn Class B certification as a machining technician. He said he wants to be an example for his grandson and is working hard to achieve his next dream: getting into university.
A man adjusts a machine with intense focus, looking like he has decades of experience behind him—maybe a senior instructor or a master technician.
Scratch that, this young man is actually the instructor! 73-year-old Tsai Chia-tsai is a student in the continuing education department at National Caotun Vocational Senior High. After missing out on an education when he was young, he started taking night classes at 60. At 70, he enrolled in this mechanics program. He’s not only top of his class every semester, but after passing Class C machining technician certification in his second year, he studied hard for a year to attain the difficult Class B level.
Tsai Chia-tsai
Machining technician
The hardest part of the exam was the theory. There are 1,000 questions for that part, including multiple-choice questions that might have more than one answer. Memorizing it all was exhausting. But I want to show young folks and my classmates that we old people can do it too.
While his physical stamina and eyesight may be in decline, Tsai’s resolve is unshakable. His teachers are all impressed, and work hard along with him.
Chen Shih-pin
Instructor
He’s currently 73. In my 10-plus years of teaching, I’ve never seen someone of his age attain Class B certification. He might be the only one in the entire country to pass at his age.
You’re never too old to learn. Tsai said his greatest motivation is his grandson, who recently started the mechanics program at a Taichung high school. As the “upperclassman" in the family, he wants to set a good example.
Tsai Chia-tsai
Machining technician
When I found out I passed, I almost cried. Seriously. I’m not joking. My grandson said he wants to keep at it, since he’s planning to take the Grade C exam this year.
Hand trembling as he shows his license, this senior student is taking that same passion and roaring headfirst into his next challenge: getting into university!
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#lifelonglearning #continuingeducation #machining #mechanicalengineering #inspiration #technician #senior
73歲阿公考取機械加工乙級證照! 下一站拚國立科大
2026-05-01
國立草屯商工進修部機械科，近來出了位高材生，也是高齡生！73歲的學生蔡嘉財，不只每學期成績全班第一，花了1年苦讀苦練，拿到高難度的”機械加工乙級技術士"證照，他說要當孫子榜樣，更為自己下個夢想努力，拚上大學！
調整機器，聚精會神，這個年資看起來很深，應該是資深教師，老師傅等級。
搞錯了！年輕的這個才是指導老師，現年73歲的蔡嘉財是國立草屯商工進修部機械科學生，因年少失學，60多歲才上國中補校，直到70歲就讀進修部機械科，不只每學期成績全班第一，高二通過機械加工丙級技術檢定後，再苦讀苦練1年，拿到高難度的「機械加工乙級技術士」證照。
[[機械加工乙級技術士 蔡嘉財]]
(考試最困難的部分)我看是在學科吧，因為學科有1000題的題目，有複選和單選題，還要背起來，不然很累，要拚給年輕人看，給學弟妹看，說老人也可以啊。”
儘管體力和眼力不可逆，但阿公的毅力不可搖，指導老師都感動，陪他一起打拼。
[[指導老師 陳世斌]
“阿公目前是73歲，從我擔任教職以來10幾年，從來沒有看過這麼年長的考生通過乙級加工這張證照，可能也是全國唯一能夠，這麼高齡通過考照的學生。”
活到老學到老，阿公說最大的動力來自也剛上台中高工機械科的孫子，他這個”學長"要當好榜樣。
[[機械加工乙級技術士 蔡嘉財 ]]
“(考照通過)快要流眼淚，真的，我沒騙你。(孫子)他說他要繼續努力，因為他現在今年要考丙級。”
顫抖的手秀出證照，帶著這股熱情，往拚上大學前進！
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