Women made up 29% of competitors in 2026

June 30, 2026 · News

Up from 17% three years ago, but still concentrated in four of the thirty skills.

Women made up 29% of competitors at the 2026 National Skills Competition, up from 17% in 2023. That is real progress and it should be said plainly.

It is also uneven. More than two thirds of those competitors entered Fashion Technology, Beauty Therapy, Graphic Design Technology or Cooking. In Welding, Automobile Technology and Heavy Vehicle Technology the figure was under 4%.

Three things are being changed for 2027: workshop facilities at every host institute are being checked before heats are confirmed, travel support is being weighted, and the ambassador programme is prioritising girls' schools.