Mongolia’s top talent prepares for Shanghai

Last month, over 1,000 participants and guests travelled to Ulaanbaatar for the third and final stage of Mongolia’s national competition. The event took place from 11 to 13 March and was hosted by WorldSkills Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the General Authority for Education. It was the country’s sixth national skills competition since it joined WorldSkills in 2014.

The Opening Ceremony for the national competition took place at the Trade Union Cultural Palace and began with a warm welcome from T. Nyam-Ochir, Director of the General Authority for Education in Mongolia, who congratulated the assembled young people for their achievements.

He said, “Skills are not just about knowing something. They are about applying that knowledge in real life and achieving results. That is why a skilled person is valued anywhere, at any time.”

His address was followed by a video message from Francis Hourant, President of WorldSkills, who encouraged the Competitors to see this moment as an investment in their future. He said, “Skills are the foundation of personal growth, confidence, and opportunity. From this experience you will build your network, expand your career possibilities, and prove to yourself what you are capable of achieving.”

During the Opening Ceremony certificates of merit from WorldSkills International were presented to Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Erdenet Mining Corporation, and Construction Polytechnic College in recognition of their contributions to skills development in Mongolia.

Fifty-three of Mongolia’s brightest young talents competed, hoping to secure their place for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. They participated in 12 skills: Automobile Technology, Bricklaying, Chemical Laboratory Technology, CNC Turning, Cooking, Electrical Installations, Graphic Design Technology, Joinery, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Plastering and Drywall Systems, Plumbing and Heating, and Welding.

The Competitors had already succeeded at school- and regional-level competitions to earn their place at the national championships. Throughout the national competition, their skills were measured against the WorldSkills Competition assessment framework and Mongolia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.

Three skill competitions were held at the Trade Union Cultural Palace, with the remaining nine competitions taking place at colleges and schools across the capital. A multi-venue viewing experience was set up at the Information and Control Centre at the Trade Union Cultural Palace, so visitors could catch every moment of the event, broadcast in real-time on large screens.

WorldSkills Mongolia also used the national competition to announce a new cohort of Experts for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, drawn from both TVET teachers and industry professionals. The move reflects a deliberate effort to broaden Mongolia’s base of Experts and deepen the relationship between education and industry.

The national competition ended with a memorable Closing Ceremony where the winners of each of the 12 skill competitions were awarded their medals. Outgoing Experts were also honoured with certificates of recognition for their contributions to skills development in Mongolia.

Enkhbold Erdenedelger, Technical Delegate for WorldSkills Mongolia, reflected on the three-day event saying, “We have some exceptionally skilled people in our country, both Competitors and Experts. Seeing them at work at our national competition makes me feel very optimistic for the future.”

The success of the national competition is also a promising sign for next year, when WorldSkills Mongolia will host WorldSkills General Assembly 2027. Enkhbold says, “We cannot wait to welcome the WorldSkills community to Ulaanbaatar. It will be a key moment for skills development in Mongolia, as we show the world the strength of our TVET system and reinforce how much we value the next generation of skilled talent.”

For the 12 new WorldSkills Mongolia Champions, this selection now marks the beginning of an intensive period of preparation as they work towards stepping onto the global stage for skills this September. Read more about how other Members are preparing for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.