The Gordon is proud to celebrate the continued success of two outstanding students, Charlotte Follett and Arnold Shanahan, who have been named in the 2026 Australian Skillaroos Training Squad - an elite group representing the nation’s best emerging trades and skills talent.
Charlotte and Arnold will represent Australia in Floristry and Mechatronics respectively, marking another major milestone in their WorldSkills journey as they prepare for the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in September 2026.
As part of their preparation, both students recently travelled to Taiwan to compete in the WorldSkills Asia Competition, gaining invaluable international experience and testing their skills against top competitors from across the region. The event provided a high-pressure, global-stage environment designed to mirror the intensity and standards of the WorldSkills competition.
Their selection into the Skillaroos Training Squad reflects years of dedication, technical excellence and resilience built through sustained training and competition.
The Gordon’s Executive Director - Education Excellence, Amanda Achterberg, said Charlotte and Arnold’s achievements exemplify the impact of high-quality vocational education.
“Being selected for the Australian Skillaroos Training Squad is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to Charlotte and Arnold’s talent, determination and commitment to excellence,” Ms Acterberg said.
They represent the very best of vocational education, demonstrating how applied learning, industry alignment and expert teaching can open doors to world-class opportunities.
The Gordon has a strong history of success in WorldSkills competitions and Charlotte and Arnold’s achievements continue this proud tradition.
Their progression from national success to international preparation highlights the strength of The Gordon’s hands-on training, industry-aligned teaching and support for high-performing students.
Beyond medals and titles, their journey showcases the powerful opportunities available through vocational education, from developing world-class technical skills to representing Australia on the global stage.
Charlotte and Arnold’s dedication, professionalism and passion for their chosen fields continue to inspire students and staff across The Gordon community.
As they move forward in their Skillaroos training and international preparation, The Gordon congratulates Charlotte and Arnold on this incredible achievement and looks forward to cheering them on as they work towards Shanghai 2026.