SA’s top TVET students to compete in world skills

The Department of Higher Education and Training under the banner of World Skills South Africa has selected an elite team of 20 contestants from technical and vocational education and training colleges, universities of technology and industry to compete at the upcoming 44^th World Skills International (WSI) biennial competition in Abu Dhabi in October 2017.

This lifetime opportunity to represent South Africa on the global stage aims to motivate South Africa’s youth to pursue vocational education and promote interest in the occupational trades.

The competition also holds huge potential to influence the development and employability of South African youth as well as raising the standard of vocational education and training, and artisanal skills in the country.

World Skills International, brings together young professionals from 77 member countries and regions to participate in various competition areas related to various occupational trades

South Africa has selected 20 competitors supported by 20 national coaching experts for each competition skill area to represent our country.

The South African competitors will compete in 20 competition skills areas such as cooking, restaurant services, welding, auto-body repairs, plumbing and heating, mechatronics, water technology, automobile technology and car painting, among others.

These students are the top competitors from South Africa’s higher education institutions having proven their skills in tough provincial and national competitions modelled on the WSI competition.

The provincial rounds were followed by the national competition, which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre in February earlier this year.

South Africa has participated in WSI events since 1990 and is ambitiously aiming to increase the number of their gold medals tally at this year’s event.

The four-day competition will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates from 15 to 18 October 2017.