The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have registered one of their strongest performances at the IndiaSkills Regional Competition held in Bhubaneswar, securing a total of 13 medals and positioning themselves as a serious contender in the national skill ecosystem. Competing against participants from across eastern India, the contingent from the Islands clinched four gold medals, five silver medals and four Medallions of Excellence, marking a significant milestone for vocational training institutions in the Union Territory.
The competition, which began on February 27, saw 48 competitors from the Islands participate across a spectrum of onsite and offsite skill categories. The medal tally reflects success across diverse trades including carpentry, concrete construction, plastering and drywall systems, fashion technology, landscape and gardening, cabinet making, electrical installation, cooking and welding. The gold medal winners emerged from carpentry, concrete construction and plastering trades, while silver medals were secured in carpentry, fashion technology, landscape and gardening, and plastering disciplines.
Four participants were awarded Medallions of Excellence in cabinet making, electrical installation, cooking and welding, underscoring consistent performance even in highly competitive segments. In addition, the team received a walkover in Visual Merchandising and Intelligent Security Technology, enabling direct entry of competitors from the Islands into the national-level contest in these categories.
Gold and silver medallists are now set to represent the Islands at the IndiaSkills National Competition scheduled later this month. Success at the national stage could open the pathway to the WorldSkills Competition, an international platform where skilled youth from across the globe compete for recognition in September 2026.
The contingent was led by the Principal of ITI and Deputy Apprenticeship Advisor, along with vocational instructors and trainers from ITI Dollygunj. Their coordinated preparation and structured training framework were cited as key factors behind the performance. The administration noted that the achievement signals the growing maturity of the skill development ecosystem in the Islands.
The medal haul is being viewed as an indicator of the expanding scope of technical education in the Union Territory. Over the past few years, Industrial Training Institutes have widened course offerings and strengthened practical exposure to align with industry standards. Participation in national skill platforms has also been scaled up, enabling local youth to benchmark their competencies against peers from metropolitan and industrial hubs.
Officials emphasised that vocational education is increasingly emerging as a mainstream career pathway rather than an alternative option. With sectors such as construction, hospitality, electrical systems and fabrication witnessing steady demand, trained candidates are finding opportunities in employment as well as entrepreneurship. The administration has reiterated its commitment to further strengthening apprenticeship linkages and industry partnerships to enhance employability outcomes.
The regional success is expected to encourage more school leavers and job aspirants to enrol in structured vocational programmes. With national representation now within reach and the prospect of global participation on the horizon, the performance at Bhubaneswar marks more than a medal count—it signals the Islands’ growing presence in India’s competitive skills landscape.
