Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has attended the 17th EmiratesSkills National Competition, organised by Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), and taking place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until 20 May 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Khaled toured the event's pavilions and reviewed a range of projects, innovations, and technical and vocational skills showcased by participating students from across the UAE. He also received a detailed briefing on several initiatives and programmes aimed at developing national skills and preparing young Emirati talent in line with the current and future needs of strategically important sectors.
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the projects and innovations presented by participants, highlighting the promising national capabilities and ambitions they reflect. He emphasized that investing in youth skills development and equipping young people with advanced knowledge and expertise represents a key pillar of the UAE's vision to build a competitive economic ecosystem founded on knowledge, innovation, and the integration of advanced technological solutions.
Accompanying H.H. Sheikh Khaled were key officials including Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Mohamed Taj Eddine Ahmed Alqadi, Saif Saeed Ghobash, and Dr Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi.
Since its launch in 2006, EmiratesSkills has become one of the UAE's leading platforms for youth skills development. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its establishment, representing two decades of contributions in preparing generations of qualified national talent and promoting a culture of innovation and excellence across technical and vocational education and training fields.
This year's edition features 37 technical and vocational skills, with the participation of more than 150 experts and specialists to assess and judge the competitions. A total of 502 male and female students from across the UAE are competing, representing the next generation of skilled national talent. The competition aligns with ACTVET's strategic vision to develop an integrated national skills ecosystem and reinforce the role of youth in advancing the UAE's development journey.
