Timor-Leste to Host National and International Skills Competitions in July 2026

 Díli, Timor-Leste, 29 June 2026 — The National Institute for Workforce Development, Public Institute (INDMO, I.P.) will organise the 9th National Skills Competition and the 2nd Timor-Leste International Friendly Skills Competition from 7 to 9 July 2026, under the theme “Mastering Skills, Building the Future.”

The official opening ceremony will be held on 6 July 2026, followed by the closing ceremony on 9 July 2026.The event aims to promote excellence in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), strengthen the link between training institutions and industry, and provide young people with opportunities to demonstrate their skills at national and international levels.

The 2026 edition will bring together national competitors and international delegations from Timor-Leste, Pacific countries and Southeast Asian partner countries. Participating Pacific countries include Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, while Indonesia and Malaysia will participate as Southeast Asian partner countries. Delegates from the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu will also join the event as observers.

The competition will feature four skills categories: Electrical Installation, Cooking, Restaurant Service and Welding. The competitions will be held at the Centro de Formação Dom Bosco Comoro in Díli and CNEFP Tibar in Liquiçá.

The Organising Committee expects the participation of approximately 60 international delegates, 36 competitors, more than 40 experts and judges, and over 1,000 national and international visitors during the event.In addition to the skills competitions, the programme will include side events such as bilateral meetings, strategic cooperation discussions, institutional and business exhibitions, technical workshops, and educational, institutional and cultural visits. These activities will provide opportunities for TVET leaders, industry representatives, development partners and regional stakeholders to exchange knowledge and explore future cooperation.INDMO, I.P., as the national public institution responsible for competency standards, accreditation, professional certification and quality assurance in Timor-Leste’s TVET sector, considers the event a strategic platform to promote technical excellence, youth employability, labour mobility, regional cooperation and recognition of Timorese skills. 

Since 2014, the National Skills Competition has contributed to the development of competency-based training in Timor-Leste. In 2023, Timor-Leste introduced its first International Friendly Skills Competition, expanding cooperation with regional partners. The 2026 edition marks another important step in strengthening Timor-Leste’s engagement with Pacific countries, ASEAN partners and WorldSkills Asia. Through this event, Timor-Leste reaffirms its commitment to human capital development, quality vocational training and building a more productive, inclusive and competitive economy.

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