General News
12 September, 2025
Lachy has sights set on Shanghai
SOUTH West TAFE carpentry apprentice Lachy King has been named as one of the rising stars in his field and is set to represent Australia on the world stage.
Lachy has been selected for the WorldSkills Australia national training squad which is the first step toward selection for Team Australia at the 48th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China on September 22-27, 2026.
For Lachy, it’s the culmination of a life-long dedication to carpentry and building.
“I was always interested in building and loved to get out into the shed and do that kind of stuff before and after school,” he said.
“The only thing I really enjoyed doing as a kid has paid off. To be recognised as one of the best in the world would be amazing.”
Lachy is one of only two carpentry apprentices and 10 Victorians named in the national training squad.
He’s also had a stroke of good timing with his selection, after winning the south-west regional title and being chosen in the top three in Victoria and then competing in the national finals in Brisbane.
“I was third in the nationals but the first and second place getters were too old to be eligible to compete in Shanghai,” he said.
“That let me become part of the squad with the chance to go.”
Twenty-one year old Lachy was born in July 2004 but the top place getters were 23 and 24; old enough to qualify for the Australian competition but too old for the international title that is only open to people born after January 1, 2004.
Lachy completed his carpentry apprenticeship at South West TAFE earlier this year and is working with Mick Hearn at MM Hearn Coast Constructions based in Port Fairy.
Lachy (from Woodford) said the TAFE training was very beneficial.
“Having TAFE run through all the units gives us an opportunity to learn things that we might not pick up in the workplace,” Lachy said.
“I’ve also got a really good boss and Mick has been supporting me the whole way through it.”
Since being selected, Lachy now has to prove he’s training and putting the effort in to represent Australia.
“I’ve got an expert trainer from South Australia who was previously second in the world so that will be beneficial for me,” he said.
“We work together; he sets me tasks and gives me feedback.
“I really want to do it. It would be game changing and huge for my resume. It would open a whole world of opportunities for me.”
WorldSkills Australia announced the 39 rising stars in its national training squad.
The squad includes high-performing apprentices, trainees and young professionals from every state and territory who excelled at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane.
These ‘stars’ earnt medals across 35 different skill categories, ranging from carpentry and plumbing to graphic design, patisserie, cyber security and additive manufacturing.
Over the coming months, squad members will undertake an intensive training program.
Those selected for the final team will represent Australia, competing against more than 1,400 peers from over 60 countries in the world’s largest skills excellence event.
