Record-breaking turnout at WCED Provincial Skills Competition
Record-breaking turnout at WCED Provincial Skills Competition
2 September 2025
Bellville Technical High School buzzed with energy and innovation as the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) hosted its largest-ever Provincial Skills Competition at the end of August. Over two days, 400 learners and 70 teachers showcased their talents across a diverse range of disciplines, marking a significant milestone in the competition’s growth.
Nathan Joseph, Senior Curriculum Planner for Mechanical and Electrical Technology at WCED and lead organiser of the event, expressed pride in the competition’s evolution. “The competition started in 2018 with just 50 learners participating in two technical subjects,” he said. “This year, we’ve reached a record number of entrants competing in 18 different disciplines. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come.”
Originally focused on promoting technical and vocational subjects, the competition has expanded to include a broader spectrum of practical, skills-based subjects. Learners now compete in areas such as Consumer Studies, Tourism, Information Technology, Visual Art and Design, Music and isiXhosa.
Adding to the excitement was the debut of a full-scale teachers’ competition. Shardé Roux, a Design teacher from Milnerton High School, shared her enthusiasm: “It’s a way to play, for teachers to get a sense of community and to reconnect with why we chose this career. We often get caught up in the demands of teaching, but this allows us to focus purely on creating.”
The stakes are high for both learners and educators. Winners and first runners-up from each category will advance to the Interprovincial Skills Competition, set to take place in Gauteng this October. Last year, Western Cape learners made a strong showing at the Sasol and Kagiso Trust Interprovincial Competition, securing five out of eight first-place finishes and earning 10 of the 39 medals awarded.
Reflecting on the event, Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier praised the calibre of talent on display and underscored the broader impact of the initiative:
“The skills on display over the weekend were exceptional, and we are looking forward to some excellent results in the national competition! We hope that this competition will drive interest and participation in technical fields, as the development of these skills is vital to generating economic growth and creating jobs. We need more technical schools, and we need to revitalise the technical schools we already have, in order to achieve this.”
With its growing popularity and expanding scope, the WCED Provincial Skills Competition continues to inspire excellence and foster a vibrant culture of practical learning across the province.
