Govrt to host national skills competition in Lilongwe

BY MICHAEL MARTIN/MALAWI

The Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation has announced that government will host the 2026 National Skills Competition from 23 to 25 June at Gateway Mall Car Park in Lilongwe in an event aimed at promoting technical excellence, innovation and skills development among young people.

According to a press release issued on 19 June 2026, signed by the Secretary of the ministry, Nwazi Mnthambala, the competition is being organised in collaboration with the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA).

Statement said that the event will bring together 50 outstanding competitors who qualified through the 2025 Regional Skills Competitions.

“Participants are expected to showcase their talents in a range of practical and technical fields including bricklaying, fabrication and welding, food production, hairdressing, information and communication technology, plumbing, tailoring and fashion design.

“The competition will bring together 50 outstanding competitors who qualified through the 2025 Regional Skills Competitions,” the ministry said in the statement.

The ministry said the event is intended to strengthen technical and vocational training in Malawi while also building stronger links between industry and training institutions.

It adds that officials believe the competition will help to create opportunities for young people by encouraging skills development as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and national development.

“The event aims to promote technical excellence, innovation, and skills development among Malawi’s youth while strengthening partnerships between industry and training institutions,” reads part of the statement.

The ministry further noted that the competition marks an important milestone in Malawi’s affiliation with the WorldSkills movement, which offers countries a chance to benchmark their skills development systems against international standards.

“The competition also marks an important milestone following Malawi’s affiliation with the WorldSkills movement, which provides opportunities to benchmark the country’s skills development system against international standards,” the statement added.

Members of the public, students, employers, training institutions, development partners and other stakeholders have been invited to attend the event and witness the talent and creativity of Malawi’s young people. The ministry has said admission will be free.

“The Ministry and TEVETA remain committed to promoting skills development as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and national development in line with the aspirations of Malawi 2063,” the statement said.