The National Skills Competition officially kicked off at Swakopmund.

Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp, who inspected the venue ahead of the opening, was satisfied with the preparedness.

With 16 trades and over 170 competitors, this year's competition aims to continue highlighting the important role the TVET sector plays in skill development, employment creation and youth empowerment.

The best competitors in the 16 trades will represent Namibia at the 48th WorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China.