Algeria joins WorldSkills as its 90th Member

WorldSkills has welcomed Algeria as its 90th Member, a strategic milestone for the country to position Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an engine for economic development.

An official ceremony held on 7 April 2026 at the National Institute of Vocational Training and Education (INFEP), in El Biar, Algiers, formally announced Algeria’s accession to WorldSkills International. The ceremony brought together high-profile members of government, including the Minister of Vocational Training and Education, Nassima Arhab, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, and the Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-enterprises, Noureddine Ouadah.

“Today is not only a celebration of Algeria joining WorldSkills International - it is a clear statement of intent. Algeria is stepping confidently onto the global stage of skills excellence, with a strong vision: to invest in its youth, to raise standards, and to compete internationally. As we move toward Shanghai 2026, we are focused, prepared, and determined,” said Minister Arhab, framing the country’s accession in terms of both strategic vision and national ambition.

Choosing INFEP as the venue for the ceremony was both “deliberate and symbolic”, explained Leticia Sedkaoui, Official Delegate of Algeria at WorldSkills. The institution embodies the mission that WorldSkills champions globally – elevating professional skills, developing training excellence, and equipping young people with competencies that meet the demands of modern economies.

“Algeria’s decision to join WorldSkills is a strong signal of commitment – a commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training, to investing in young people, and to aligning skills development with national economic priorities. WorldSkills Algeria’s membership reflects a forward-looking vision – one that recognizes that investing in skills is investing in the future,” said Francis Hourant, WorldSkills President, during their address.

Algeria became a Member of WorldSkills Africa in October 2025 and successfully organized its first national competition. The WorldSkills Algeria national competition took place in Oran from 17 to 21 November, and brought together over 550 Competitors in 45 skills within six sectors. More than 30,000 visitors, mostly young people seeking career orientation, attended, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for skilled careers among local youth.

Algeria’s first team to compete on the global stage was selected on the basis of their performance at WorldSkills Algeria Oran 2025. The country will debut at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 in Drywall and Plastering Systems, Mobile Applications Development, and Automotive Technology — skills selected using criteria developed with the support of WorldSkills Germany. As part of this partnership, the Competitors will now undergo intensive preparation and training, including exposure to international standards and practices, immersion workshops, and trips abroad.

Managed by the Ministry of Vocational Training and Education, Algeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system is currently undergoing broad modernization driven by economic diversification and growing labour market demands.

The system covers more than 500 specialties across several fields and is expanding training into areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, and Information and Communication Technology. Strengthened apprenticeship pathways now connect trainees directly to employers. The country has recently launched 18 new Centres of Excellence, is developing stronger partnerships with industry, and a national qualifications framework is in development to unify training standards.

New infrastructure projects, updated training equipment, stronger English instruction, and inclusion programs for people with disabilities are already in motion, reinforcing a system that is shifting from traditional schooling to market-ready professional preparation.

Algeria’s motivations to join WorldSkills include promoting international cooperation, exchanging expertise with peer institutions, and benchmarking against global best practices.