Impact report reveals outcomes of WorldSkills Africa Capacity Building Programme

WorldSkills Africa has released a new report which captures the impact and value of its recent Capacity Building Programme, developed in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and supported by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).

Between March and September 2025, 13 Experts from Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe took part in the innovative programme. Their goal was to co-design and test a competition-based training model by examining the tools and methodologies from the WorldSkills Competition and adapting them to better reflect African skills needs.

The programme centred on two occupations, Hairdressing and Plumbing, each led by a Chief Expert. It combined online learning with in-person workshops, allowing participants to examine all elements of the competition assessment experience and to engage firsthand in practical training and peer assessment.

The result is a new assessment framework which will elevate the quality of TVET at a national, regional, and global level, and which can be used as a replicable blueprint that can be scaled across more skills and more WorldSkills Africa Member countries.

The impact report brings to life the success of the programme. It reveals that 100% of participants would recommend the programme. Sanchia Sissing, who is an Expert in Hairdressing from WorldSkills Namibia, was keen to encourage other Experts to consider the training.

She said, “Grab the opportunity with both hands and be open to learning as much as you can because, in the end, the information gained will boost your knowledge, understanding, and confidence as a trainer and in the WorldSkills platforms.”

Other highlights in the impact report include:

• 92% reported “greatly improved” or “significantly improved” technical skills
• 100% reported a “significantly improved” understanding of the purpose of the Assessment Framework
• 100% said they found the peer learning opportunities “very useful” or “useful”
• 92% found the content “very useful” or “useful” for their own professional practice

The report also shares how all participants committed to applying their learning to their own teaching, reflecting that the programme gave them new insights, tools, and confidence to improve the way they work with their students and use assessment standards in their training.

WorldSkills is now working with the Official and Technical Delegates from each WorldSkills Africa Member country to see how they can implement the Assessment Framework more broadly, within their national skill systems.

Francis Hourant, President of WorldSkills, introduces the impact report. In his message he reflects, “This programme is about building a practical, African-designed framework that empowers Experts, educators, and policymakers to lead change from within. It will allow WorldSkills Africa Member countries to set new standards and build stronger TVET systems that are more reflective of the needs of its industries and fulfil the ambitions and aspirations of its next generation of skilled youth.”

Delivery of the programme was led by Grace Lung, Senior Manager of Partnership Programmes at WorldSkills International. Reflecting on its success she said, “We have created a unique, replicable model that has far-reaching value – not just for WorldSkills Africa Members but across the WorldSkills community, and beyond.”

She added, “This programme shows that the WorldSkills Competition is not just a biennial celebration of achievement. It is a laboratory for innovation, skills development, and excellence. By adapting Competition frameworks and tools this way, we are able to scale our impact and help more countries aspire to excellence.”

With the new Assessment Framework tested and ready for wider rollout, WorldSkills International and WorldSkills Africa are encouraging more Member countries to consider capacity building as a way to embed competition-based assessment into their national TVET strategies.

Read the full report or learn more about WorldSkills Africa.