Team Namibia is ready and promises to give its all for the 47th World Skills Competition, to be held in Lyon, France, next month. 

President Nangolo Mbumba sent off the team, urging them to be careful in their conduct. 

The team is made up of 14 competitors selected from the different vocational training centres across Namibia, paired with industry experts to provide guidance and leadership.

Among the different skill areas that they will compete in are bricklaying, air conditioning, mechanicals, and pipe fitting, among others.

This year's competition is the 5th that Namibia would be showcasing its expertise in various TVET trades.

President Mbumba urged the team to remain disciplined as ambassadors of the country throughout the competition and aim for the best in their experience.

Dr. Mbumba also reminded the competitors that Namibia's sustained participation helps to leverage the TVET sector as an avenue for readily employable skills for job markets.

The Namibian team will square off against 1,500 competitors from more than 65 countries in 59 skill categories.

The Namibia Training Authority says preparations have been extensive, in line with the WorldSkills competition code of ethics and conduct guidelines.

The government has been intensifying its promotion of TVET programmes in recent years and says platforms such as the WorldSkills competition reinforce these.

Two years ago, Namibia hosted the continental skills competition, where welder Simonia Swartbooi from the Namibian Institute of Welding emerged as the winner.

Although she says she is anxious about the upcoming showpiece, the platform would help her to further inspire women.

The World Skills competition is organised every two years.