The Fourth National Skills Competition kicked off in Swakopmund on Tuesday with a TVET Conference happening simultaneously.

The conference brings together policymakers, educators and industry leaders to discuss strategies for advancing skills development.

During the opening of the conference, the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, called for the prompt implementation of deliberations.

Held under the subtheme "Bridging the Digital Divide in TVET Delivery," speakers on the first day of the conference dissected the opportunities and challenges in the digital sector.

The National Skills Competition is a flagship event that showcases the talents of young people in various technical and vocational trades.

The platform allows trainees and apprentices to demonstrate their skills against industry standards.

The 16 featured trades include water technology, mechanical engineering, automobile technology, hairdressing and refrigeration and air conditioning, among others.