WSBJ Future Skills Camp Selected For WorldSkills Conference 2026

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is proud to announce that one of its flagship initiatives, the WorldSkills Barbados Juniors (WSBJ) Future Skills Camp, has been selected for inclusion in the inaugural Skills CoLab at the WorldSkills Conference 2026, taking place from September 23 – 25, 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai, China.

The WorldSkills Conference will be held alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the world’s largest vocational skills competition, bringing together global leaders in skills development, education, and industry.

The WSBJ Future Skills Camp was selected from more than 130 submissions across 35 countries, earning recognition from an international jury as one of the most innovative, impactful, and globally relevant initiatives in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The Skills CoLab is a new, marketplace-style feature of the WorldSkills Conference designed as a global platform for innovation in skills development. It will facilitate structured one-on-one and small-group consultations, each lasting approximately 25 minutes.

As part of this initiative, the WorldSkills Barbados team will host a dedicated project station, engaging directly with international delegates to showcase the Future Skills Camp’s design and outcomes, and to exchange ideas on youth skills development. The Skills CoLab promotes collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the scaling of innovative practices across borders, positioning Barbados at the forefront of global discussions on future skills.

This selection highlights the WSBJ Future Skills Camp as a model initiative that equips young people with foundational, future-ready competencies in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. It reflects WorldSkills Barbados’ commitment to developing a pipeline of skilled, adaptable youth while advancing excellence in vocational education.

Through its participation in Skills CoLab, WorldSkills Barbados will receive two complimentary Conference passes with full access to the Conference programme and WorldSkills Competition 2026, international visibility via the Conference website and Skills CoLab catalogue, and a high-profile platform to connect with global stakeholders in skills development, education, and industry.

Participation in this global initiative strengthens Barbados’ international presence and underscores its growing reputation as a leader in innovative TVET and youth development. It also reinforces the national focus on equipping the next generation with skills for future careers and economic resilience.

TVETC’s Manager, Technical Services, Dario Walcott, welcomed the achievement, saying: “Winning an opportunity at the Skills CoLab is firstly validation of the project we are investing in. It is further proof of the quality of our Future Skills Camp. The fact that our project was chosen out of so many, it is satisfying that others can recognize the value of our hard work.”

He added: “As part of the Skills CoLab we are expecting to attract international partnerships with other agencies, associations and donors to ensure the sustainability and growth of the project. We want to introduce new skills and need new trainers. Insight and access to new research that identifies these new skills and of course access to funding to ensure we can continue to deliver the quality at a reasonable price.”

Launched in 2021, the WSBJ Future Skills Camp is a forward-looking initiative designed to introduce young learners to key competencies such as problem- solving, creativity, digital literacy, and teamwork. The programme aims to spark early interest in skills-based careers while aligning with global workforce trends. (PR/GIS)