On International Workers' Day, Talento once again puts technical skill centre stage. The Welding Olympics return for their second edition with a clear sign of growth: the event is no longer confined to the south of the country and now extends to Cabo Delgado, opening a new chapter in the promotion of technical and vocational education in Mozambique.
Created in 2025, the Welding Olympics quickly established themselves as a benchmark platform for promoting technical excellence and youth employability in welding. In 2026, the project takes on a national dimension, with competitions planned for Maputo, Matola and, for the first time, Pemba — a move that follows the dynamics of economic and industrial growth in other regions of the country.
The debut in Cabo Delgado comes in direct response to the growing demand for skilled labour in the north, driven above all by the energy and extractive industries. The competition will take place at the Ascending Training Centre, in partnership with IFPELAC, strengthening the link between technical training and real market needs.
“Mozambique has real technical talent — what was missing was a stage worthy of it. In 2026, that stage grows: we are reaching Cabo Delgado and reinforcing our commitment to technical and vocational education as a path to excellence,” said Frederico P. Silva, CEO of Talento.
In this new edition, the organisers intend to deepen the involvement of technical and vocational education institutions, ensuring the presence of the country's best trainees, trainers and professionals. The aim is to consolidate the Olympics not merely as a competition, but as a meeting point between talent and opportunity.
The event's track record reinforces that ambition. The inaugural edition brought together 153 participants, including students, trainers and professionals, and involved more than 15 institutions and companies. The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between key players in the industrial and training ecosystem, helping to raise public debate about the importance of technical training in Mozambique.
For 2026, the programme is strengthened with new initiatives. Among them, the Talento Internship Programme stands out, offering paid internships at partner companies, guided visits that bring the business community closer to training centres, an audiovisual mini-series dedicated to the participants and a digital platform designed to make it easier for companies and professionals to get in touch after the event.
More than a competition, the Welding Olympics position themselves as a bridge between technical and vocational education and industry, combining technical competitions, a Talent Fair, sector panels and an awards ceremony.
Behind the initiative is Talento, a Mozambican marketing and innovation company dedicated to job creation and human capital development, with the aim of linking skilled professionals to the demands of a changing market — inside and outside Mozambique.
