Harlan Wilton

• Age: 21 years

Competitor in Skill: Web Design
Country: Australia

How did you get interested in your skill?
I started programming in high school as part of a game project, in an effort to try and find work through my programming skills I picked up web design and am really enjoying it.

Where did you do your training for your skill?
TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute, Wentworth Falls Campus

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I was studying Cert IV Programming at TAFE and one of the web design teachers told me about the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition for web design.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
Didn't really have any external influences to go into web design, just came to me naturally. All TAFE teachers were incredibly supportive in pursueing web design as a career though.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
It would have to be the moment at the end of the regional competition, this was a point where I wasn't really into web design and wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. But after, to my own surprise, placing first, it kick started my passion for it and my journey with WorldSkills.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
The WorldSkills experience is incredibly rewarding, it has opened up so many doors for me and has allowed to do things that I would've never thought I’d get to do. Some notable things to mention would have to be; being invited to be a part of RYLA, speaking in front of Western Sydney Training Awards and my recent trip to China to train with their competitor, Oceania competition in New Zealand.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
Overall, WorldSkills Australia has improved my work quality and speed. I know that I can deal with high pressure situations well, maintaining low stress and maintaining good work flow.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I've recently left full time work as a PHP developer to pursue my training, I am still working with a few freelance clients though.

What are your future career aspirations?
I want to run my own IT company working on either websites or hosting (or both). I've done a bit of freelancing before, but I'd like to have people who work for me.