A TAFE course or an apprenticeship can be the ticket to a great career, higher wages, new skills and a better future. At the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, Victorians showed the nation just how strong our skills are. This week, I met two outstanding gold medallists from my electorate—both products of the Gordon TAFE. Arnold Shanahan won gold in mechatronics, and Charlotte Follett, an apprentice florist, also took up gold. Charlotte said of her experience:

The competition was out of my comfort zone and pushed me to a new level with my skills.

I'm proud to represent Geelong and Victoria on a national stage.

Her words capture what WorldSkills is about—dedication to excellence, skills growth and pride in community. Charlotte and Arnold's achievements remind us that skills change lives. Yet, for over a decade, the former coalition government sidelined skills and left students and apprentices stranded. In contrast, the Albanese government is investing in TAFE and apprenticeships. From the $10,000 incentive for construction apprentices to free TAFE, we're giving Australians better access to training, nursing, trades, care work and clean energy. It's this investment that helps Australians like Charlotte and Arnold to reach their potential.