The first-ever Vanuatu National Skills Competition officially opened today in Port Vila, bringing together skilled workers and students from across the country to showcase their talents in various trades.

The three-day event aims to promote local skills development and provide a platform for young ni-Vanuatu to demonstrate their technical expertise. Some of the winners from this competition will represent Vanuatu at the World Skills Competition in Australia.

Students from different training providers around the country are taking part in this first national competition, marking a significant milestone in the country’s effort to build a skilled and self-reliant workforce.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Training, Simil Johnson, said the competition aligns with the National Sustainable Development Plan – the People’s Plan 2030, which envisions a population that is educated, healthy, and skilled to contribute to a resilient and inclusive economy.

“A skilled workforce is how we secure our independence in the world — keeping jobs local and ensuring development in Vanuatu is led by ni-Vanuatu,” Minister Johnson said.

Competitions will cover a range of areas including Food and Beverage, Cookery, Joinery and Furniture Making, Plumbing, Electrical, IT, Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, among others.

Brian Clowes from the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations in Papua New Guinea, who is attending as an observer, said PNG hopes to learn from Vanuatu’s experience.

“We are here to learn from this first national competition and hope to bring something similar to PNG next year. The goal is to promote skills and share human resources both locally and nationally,” he said.

The competition will conclude on Friday, with winners announced and awards presented. VBTC News understands that some of the national winners will go on to compete in the World Skills Competition in Australia.