Gold medals for The Gordon at WorldSkills nationals

THE Gordon TAFE had two gold medal winners at the recent WorldSkills National competition in Brisbane.

The national championships are Australia’s biggest vocational education and excellence competition, where students compete against their industry peers from around the country.

Floristry student Charlotte Follett, who is mentored by Dayne Robinson, and Mechatronics student Arnold Shanahan, who mentored by Andy Heath, claimed the top honours.

Follett is a past Bellarine Secondary College student, who is undertaking her apprenticeship at Jacinta’s Flower Studio in Geelong.

The Gordon also secured four bronze and three Medallions of Excellence.

“Students were prepared, calm and professional – a true testament of the fabulous mentoring and coaching from our teachers/mentors,” the Gordon stated.

“A very big thank-you to the staff involved for their magnificent support and guidance over the last few months and throughout the competition.

“Congratulations go to our 10 students who competed in the event in Brisbane across eight different categories against in excess of 600 competitors across 63 skill areas.”

Bronze medal winners:

Joshua Zdybel, Mechatronics – mentor: Andy Heath

Jay Zoutman, Mechatronics – mentor: Andy Heath

Sacha Koschman, Beauty Therapy – mentor: Amber Williams

Neda Naved, VETIS Hairdressing – mentor: Hali Day.

Medal of Excellence winners:

Caden Currer, Plumbing & Heating – mentor: John McArthur

Shinay Grobler, VETIS Food & Beverage – mentor: Andy Percy

Sophie Gorman, VETIS Commercial Cookery – mentors: Russell Hall & Dale Willington.

National finalist: Samuel Whitehead, Automotive Refinishing – mentor: Brett Petrovski.