151 of South Africa’s top school-level technical skills learners, along with 77 teachers from all nine provinces, will compete in the 2026 National Skills Competition final between the 1 -  2 October –the culmination of a national process that saw more than 17 000 learners take part in school, district and provincial qualifying rounds.

Hosted by the Sasol Foundation and Kagiso Trust in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and industry partners, the competition will take place across three Johannesburg venues: Resolution Circle at the University ofJohannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus, Modena Training Centre in Sandton, and John Orr ESOS in Milpark and ATI in Roodepoort. Competition activities begin on 1 October, with final practical tasks on the morning of 2 October, followed by the national awards andprize-giving that evening with a keynote address by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube.

The finalists, primarily Grade 10 and 11 learners, as well as the teachers, will each compete across 11 technical specialisations: automotive technology, computer-aided design (CAD), construction, digital systems, electrical power systems,engineering graphics and design (EGD), electronics, fitting and machining, plumbing (civil services), woodworking, and welding and metalwork.

Unlike a conventional academic examination, the competition challenges participants to apply their knowledge to hands-on tasks based on real-life, industry-related scenarios, with industry-led judging panels assessing their performance.The approach is designed to show how technical skills translate into the workplace, while giving young people the chance to develop confidence, creativity, precision and problem-solving ability.

South Africa’s skills needs are being reshaped by industrialisation, digital transformation, technological innovation and the transition to a green economy. As industries evolve, the demand for competent artisans, technicians and skilledprofessionals continues to grow. Technical and vocational education therefore offers learners credible pathways into further learning, employment and entrepreneurship – and should be seen by young people and their parents as a first-choice pathway to exciting,respected and rewarding careers, rather than a fallback option.

“South Africa’s future prosperity depends on our ability to equip young people with the technical skills, practical experience and confidence needed to succeed in an evolving economy,” said Thabile Makgala, Executive Vice President: People,Risk, SHE and Corporate Affairs at Sasol and a Sasol Foundation Trustee. “The National Skills Competition creates a powerful platform for learners and teachers to showcase their talents, pursue excellence and develop skills that are critical to our country’sgrowth.”

Dr Mankodi Moitse, CEO of Kagiso Trust, says the competition creates important pathways for young people to discover their strengths and participate meaningfully in the economy.

“Through our partnership in the National Skills Competition, we are particularly proud to recognise the role of teachers in creating these opportunities and to help ensure that technical excellence is valued alongside academic achievement.Teachers are central to developing confidence, nurturing talent and helping learners realise what they can achieve in technical subjects. This is about more than a competition – it is about building confidence, opening pathways and investing in the potentialof young South Africans,” she says.

Launched by the Sasol Foundation and the Free State Department of Education in 2018, the competition has grown steadily. Kagiso Trust joined in 2022, introducing a teacher component. The competition expanded to five provinces in 2023 andbecame fully national in 2024, with all nine provinces now participating.

Beyond identifying winners, the competition aims to promote excellence in technical skills, encourage innovation in solving real-world challenges, strengthen partnerships between education, industry and government, and raise the profileof skills development in national development.

It supports the three-stream education model, which provides for academic, technical-vocational and technical-occupational pathways, and the National Development Plan 2030 target of producing 30 000 artisans a year, while building a pipelineof young South Africans who could progress towards international platforms such as the WorldSkills Championships.

South Africa’s future is being built by skilled young hands, and technical excellence deserves the same celebration as academic success.