The WorldSkills Australia 2018 National Championships will see over 500 vocational students converge on Darling Harbour over three days with their eye on a coveted gold medal.

Former Cooma resident, Miss Trotter, who now lives in Mittagong, said that her anticipation was building after months of mentorship by TAFE NSW teacher Herve Boutin, as she packs her tools of the trade.

“I completed my apprenticeship through TAFE NSW Wollongong and am working at the award-winning Gumnut Patisserie. The people here are very encouraging,” she said.

Miss Trotter was quietly confident her job-ready skills earned through TAFE NSW, the biggest education and training provider, would give her a competitive edge.

“I entered WoldSkills to see how my skills compare to other competitors and to meet other people in the industry.

“I’m a bit nervous but I’m looking forward to the competition, and seeing where it takes me,” she said.

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Kerry Penton, said WorldSkills was the country’s largest vocational education and excellence competition.

“Samantha has earned the right to participate in this competition after upstaging some of the best local talent at the regional WorldSkills competition in Orange,” she said.

“The ultimate goal for Samantha will be to win a gold medal, which will earn her a place on the Australian Skillaroos team to compete with the world’s best at the 45 th WorldSkills International Competition finals to be held in Austria in 2020.”

“WorldSkills competitions provide TAFE NSW students with amazing, and potentially life-changing, learning opportunities.

“It creates an exciting, interactive and engaging environment for participants. They will learn important life-long skills that will not only help them succeed individually, but will help deliver a highly skilled workforce.”

The WorldSkills Australia 2018 National Championships will be held at ICC Sydney from June 2 to 4. For more information, please visit www.worldskills.org.au