Promoting Youth Talent, TVET Excellence and Regional Cooperation through Skills Competitions

Mr. Aquiles S. Guterres | INDMO, I.P.

DÍLI. INDMO (6 July 2026) — Timor-Leste successfully convened the 2^nd Timor-Leste International Friendly Skills Competition and the 9^th National Skills Competition with an official opening on 6 July 2026, at the GMN Multi-Purpose Hall, Bebora, Díli, under the theme “Mastering Skills, Building the Future”.

The event was officially opened by His Excellency Dato’ Seri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment. Organised by the Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Mão-de-Obra, Instituto Público (INDMO, I.P.), the skills competitions took place from 7 to 9 July 2026 at Centro de Formação Dom Bosco Comoro, Díli, and CNEFP Tibar, Liquiçá.

The competitions and exhibitions were open to the public from 7 to 9 July 2026, giving students, families, employment agencies, training institutions and the wider community an opportunity to witness skills demonstrations and support young talents.

This year’s competition featured four key skills areas: Cooking, Restaurant Service, Electrical Installation and Welding, representing important sectors of Timor-Leste’s economy, including tourism, hospitality, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and industry.

The event brought together young competitors, experts, judges, training institutions, government representatives, development partners, industry actors and delegations from ASEAN and Pacific partner countries. International participation include representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Indonesia, joining as competitors, experts, judges, observers and institutional representatives.

In his official opening remarks, the Vice Prime Minister highlighted that the competition is more than just a contest for medals. 

“It is a celebration of talent, hard work and the opportunities that will build the future for our young generation,” he asserted.

He warmly welcomed the presence of ASEAN and Pacific delegations, saying their participation reflects friendship, cooperation and shared commitment to skills development across the region.

“I believe that together we can continue to work with and support one another to achieve better development and progress,” he stated.

The Vice Prime Minister voiced that skills competitions provide young people with opportunities to develop confidence, discover new ideas and learn from one another across borders.

“These competitions are not only about winning medals, but about giving young people the opportunity to develop their skills, increase their self-confidence and discover new ideas,” he reiterated.

He then called attention to the important link between technical and vocational education, employment and national economic development.

“These competitions do not end on the stage. They connect the knowledge that young people learn with employment opportunities and the needs of industry. This helps harmonise the education system with the economic development of the nation,” he added.

According to the Vice Prime Minister, investment in people is central to Timor-Leste’s future. He said skills training and vocational education are national priorities because they help create decent jobs, strengthen tourism, improve infrastructure, promote industry and increase productivity.

“Natural resources alone are not sufficient to move the nation forward. The future of Timor-Leste depends on the strength, knowledge and talent of the Timorese people,” he said.

He added that the theme “Mastering Skills, Building the Future” carries a deep message, reminding the public that skills are not only about technical knowledge, but also discipline, creativity, integrity, self-confidence and quality work.

“Through this event, Timor-Leste sends a clear message to the world that we are ready to invest in skills development, welcome responsible investment and prepare young people to enter valuable employment, create their own businesses and participate in safe, skilled and dignified labour mobility”

-  His Excellency Dato’ Seri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, declared during the opening of the  2^nd Timor-Leste International Friendly Skills Competition and the 9^th National Skills Competition: “Mastering Skills, Building the Future”,  6 July 2026, in Bebora, Díli.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, Executive Director of INDMO, I.P., echoed the Vice Prime Minister's sentiments, highlighting that the event underscored Timor-Leste's commitment to strengthening TVET, promoting youth talent, and fostering a stronger network of cooperation with regional partners.

“Through this competition, we want to encourage excellence in technical and vocational education and training, recognise the competencies of Timor-Leste’s young people, strengthen the link between training institutions and labour market needs, and deepen cooperation with Pacific and ASEAN countries,” Ms. Isabel said.

INDMO, I.P. plays a central role in strengthening Timor-Leste’s skills system through competency standards, quality assurance, accreditation, certification and workforce development. The 2026 competitions therefore form part of a wider national effort to improve training quality, support employability and align skills development with industry needs.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian Embassy, Dr. Fabia Shah, Counsellor for Governance and Economic Development, described the event as a dual celebration of the 9^th National Skills Competition and the 2^nd International Friendly Competition for 2026. She noted that Dili had become a meeting place for talented competitors, trainers, TVET leaders, government officials, industry representatives, and skills experts from across the region.

“Skills matter. They matter to workers and employers. They matter to industries and communities. And they matter to the future prosperity of our region,”affirmed Dr. Shah, underscoring the significance of the event.

She observed that the competitions provide an important opportunity to witness skills excellence, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships that will help shape the workforce of the future. Dr. Shah also reaffirmed Australia’s long-term commitment to skills development in Timor-Leste, particularly through its relationship with INDMO and the new Pacific Australia Skills – Timor-Leste programme.

“A strong and effective TVET sector is about more than training. It is about creating pathways that are relevant to employment opportunities, supporting local industries, and equipping people with the skills and confidence to succeed,” she added.

She also shared that Australia is committed to working closely with the Government of Timor-Leste, training providers, employers, and communities to support stronger skills systems and training that leads to “real skills, real jobs, and real pathways for young Timorese people and workers.”

Addressing the competitors, Dr. Shah congratulated them for their dedication, hard work, and determination, remarking that they represent the best of what skills development can achieve.

Speaking in an interview with GMN TV, Mr. Amandio Lívio Borges Belo, General Coordinator of the INDMO Skills Timor-Leste Organising Committee, said the competition provides an important stepping stone for young skilled people to progress to regional and international platforms. He noted that participation in the national competition helps prepare competitors to gain experience, improve standards and represent Timor-Leste in future skills events at ASEAN and international levels.

In another instance, Principal Advisor at INDMO, I.P., Mr. Aquiles S. Guterres, shared an encouraging message with ETAN readers, extending an invitation to the public and friends of Timor-Leste to visit the event and show support for the young competitors. He welcomed students, families, training institutions, employers, development partners, and friends of Timor-Leste to visit the exhibitions and skills demonstrations, and to support the young talents as they showcased what Timor-Leste can achieve through skills.

The competitions are complemented by side events, including bilateral meetings, technical discussions, seminars, cultural and educational visits, and TVET equipment exhibitions. Exhibitors from Malaysia and Australia, including Pacific Australia Skills, SEIKOU Group and VICTRON, were present to showcase their respective equipment, innovation and technologies that can be utilised to support modern technical and vocational training.