Wilhemina Amadhila, a 22-year-old fashion trainee from Namibia, is preparing to represent her country at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, scheduled for Sept. 22 to 27. Alongside other competitors, she is honing technical skills in fields ranging from culinary arts to electrical installation, aiming to challenge stereotypes about vocational education and strengthen China-Namibia cooperation in technical and vocational education and training.
Wilhemina Amadhila’s needle moves with precision as she stitches fabric at the Valombola Vocational Training Centre in Ongwediva, northern Namibia. The 22-year-old trainee, who competes in fashion technology, is among 17 Namibians selected for the country’s delegation to the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. The event, set for Sept. 22 to 27, will see competitors test their skills against peers.
Training Pathways and International Ambitions
Amadhila’s journey began in 2023 when she enrolled in vocational training, learning fashion design, cutting, sewing and quality control. Her performance at Namibia’s 2025 National Skills Competition earned her a spot on the WorldSkills team. Every piece I create has the potential to transform lives,
she said, citing the technical skills that have empowered her to build something valuable and contribute to her community. Her work, she added, brings her closer to representing Namibia at the upcoming WorldSkills Competition.
Sakeus Iifo, a 22-year-old hospitality trainee at Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Hotel School, is preparing for culinary challenges in Shanghai. The chef is practising to compete at the highest level in Shanghai,
he joked during a dessert-making session. Iifo, who discovered his passion for hospitality after enrolling at Nakayale Vocational Training Centre in 2023, hopes to showcase his culinary skills and learn from international peers. His training at Etosha Safari Lodge introduced him to professional kitchen equipment and food preparation.
Abel Ashimbanga, an electrical installation trainee at Namibia’s national power utility, NamPower, is also in the spotlight. Inspired by his father, Ashimbanga enjoys automating electrical devices. His goal is to use his skills to provide safe and reliable power solutions. He and other competitors share an ambition to test themselves at a high level and return home with new knowledge.
Challenging Perceptions and Global Collaboration
For Amadhila, the competition is a chance to challenge misconceptions about vocational education. Many people believe that vocational training is for those who cannot succeed academically,
she said. We must demonstrate that technical skills require intelligence, creativity and discipline.
Risto Kapenda, a bricklaying and plastering trainer at Eenhana Vocational Training Centre, echoed this sentiment, noting that participants pursue personal success while seeking to uplift their communities and reshape perceptions of vocational education.
Namibia, a full WorldSkills member since 2015, also uses the event to assess its vocational training system against international benchmarks. Namibia Training Authority CEO Erick Nenghwanya emphasized that the event helps the country compare its artisans with peers from over 70 countries and promote skilled trades. Amadhila highlighted the potential for China-Namibia cooperation, citing China’s expertise in manufacturing and skills development. It could strengthen China-Namibia cooperation in technical and vocational education and training, she said.
The competition’s impact extends beyond individual competitors. For Amadhila and her teammates, Shanghai will be more than a place to compete, serving as a global classroom where they can test their skills, learn from their peers and bring new ideas home. Her workshop in Ongwediva, where fabric rustles under her hands, symbolizes her continuing work guiding fabric beneath her sewing machine.
What Comes Next: The WorldSkills Challenge
The 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, scheduled from Sept. 22 to 27, will be the event where selected from more than 180 contestants, the team will compete in 16 categories. For now, Amadhila, Iifo, and Ashimbanga remain focused on their training. As Amadhila put it, Each stitch comes together to form a stunning outfit.