Over 320 Students Participate In Malta Skills Championships 2026
More than 320 students are taking part in the Malta Skills Championships 2026, with competitors showcasing their vocational and technical abilities across a wide range of disciplines.
Education and Sport Minister Byron Camilleri visited the championships at MCAST in Paola, where he met students, lecturers and experts involved in organising and judging the competitions. Described as Malta's national "Skills Olympics", the championships are organised by the National Skills Council in collaboration with MCAST, the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), the Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes, the Malta Chamber and the Malta Chamber of SMEs.
The competitions were held at MCAST on 11 and 12 November and will continue at ITS on 17 November with another 22 competitors. Altogether, the championships cover 24 disciplines, including robotics, software development, electrical installations, mechatronics, welding, aircraft maintenance, automotive technology, graphic design, fashion, cooking and hotel services.
Participants are required to complete practical tasks within a set time and are assessed by industry experts on professional standards including precision, quality, safety and problem-solving.
Camilleri said vocational and technical education plays a vital role in preparing young people for today's and tomorrow's job market. He stressed that vocational education should be recognised as an equally valuable pathway to academic studies, offering concrete career opportunities and further specialisation.
An important aspect of the championships is preparing competitors for EuroSkills 2027 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Malta is expected to compete in Web Development, Graphic Design Technology, Cooking and Hotel Reception, with winners progressing through a selection and training process.
Former competitor Thomas Gatt, now MCAST's Deputy Director, said participating in EuroSkills had helped him develop both technical and life skills. Fashion design student Jodie Sammut also described her first Malta Skills Championships experience as rewarding, saying it gave her the opportunity to apply what she had learned while working under pressure.
The championships are also open to schools, parents and the public to promote vocational careers and are expected to return in 2028.
www.maltadaily.mt
