Maddison Williams was still a TAFE student when she first applied for the WorldSkills Australia national championships, but following two years of COVID delays, she is now a gold medalist for beauty therapy.

Miss Williams spends the working week pampering clients at Circa 1929, but as a recent graduate, she said that it's "unbelievable" to be recognized during the early stages of her career.

She did, however, have an inkling that a top-three placement was on the cards at the Australia-wide competition.

"I was pretty confident, especially after the competition, I felt like I smashed it, so I did expect to get something," she said.

"Leading up to the competition I got excited as it got closer and closer, and even more when it was time to show what I could do."

Miss Williams did not always think she would enter the field of beauty. It was only when her cousin began to point out her skills that she began to take notice.

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"I never saw myself doing beauty therapy when I was younger... I kind of went around applying for jobs and for an apprenticeship [in beauty], which I didn't get but during the interviews, I was answering these questions, and I kind of went 'I do kind of enjoy these things'.

"So I just went on doing beauty therapy, I applied for this beautiful place [Circa 1929] and got it straight up. I think my passion just shined through."

Circa 1929 owner Namoi Zadow, who also teaches beauty at Wagga TAFE, said she is incredibly proud of Miss Williams and her drive to pursue the championship title.

"I'm proud of Maddie's hard work and her resilience during COVID because a lot of people struggled and didn't have the drive or capacity to continue training," she said.

"Maddie smashed it, anything that I asked of her she did, and if I said 'do it again', she would do it again. She was just ready, and she was hungry for it."

Ms Zadow, as an educator, said it is important for employees to see the benefits of nurturing up-and-coming skilled labour, with workers like Miss Williams proving vital members of staff.

"We hope that employers can see the goodness and the potential in that person [graduate] and their skill level."

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