National Skills Week 2025

2025-08-25

For Sarah, studying Graphic Design was more than just a course, it was the start of taking her skills on an adventure to see where it could take her; a leap of faith.

“What led me down the path of Graphic Design was all the possibilities”. Sarah says

Her experience reflects this year’s National Skills Week theme: Explore ALL the Options. By starting with foundational skills, Sarah discovered a pathway into a creative industry she loved – one where she knew she could find her potential. A reminder that vocational education opens doors to countless opportunities.

That’s what I liked - not knowing where I’d end up, but being given the foundational skills to take it wherever I wanted. 

When Sarah first joined The Gordon, she didn’t have a fixed plan – she had curiosity, creativity, and the drive to explore. The foundational skills she gained in her course gave her the practical skills and confidence to try different directions and discover what inspired her.

This hands-on approach is what sets vocational education training (VET) apart. Students learn by doing, are supported by teachers who care, and are encouraged to try and grow.

“I loved the hands-on side of learning”.

Through real projects, collaboration with classmates, and guidance of expert teachers, Sarah realised her potential in the graphic design industry. Every skill she mastered built on the last, showing how vocational education can open multiple pathways, not just one.

Her journey illustrates that VET isn’t about a single route, it’s about giving students the flexibility to explore, find their strengths, and carve a career that suits them.

Today, Sarah runs Storyfolk with her friend and business partner, Cass Mackenzie, an award-winning agency specialising in strategy, branding and digital solutions. 

This National Skills Week, The Gordon celebrates the diverse opportunities available through VET. Our programs embody the spirit to Explore ALL the Options, develop skills and shape the future our students want.

Just like Sarah, students at The Gordon can take their career wherever they want it to go.

National Skills Week 2025 | 25 August  - 31 August