Seventy-three young Maldivians have completed the second round of vocational training offered under the Maldives National Service, earning qualifications across a range of technical and industrial fields.
The graduates were among 75 participants from 17 atolls who enrolled in the 16-week programme. Of those who successfully completed the course, 60 are male and 13 are female.
The programme provides further technical training to young people who have already completed the National Service Initial Training, offering participants an opportunity to develop practical skills that can be used to pursue employment in specialised fields.
Training for the second batch began on June 3 and covered automobile engineering, marine engineering, electrical work, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding, metal fabrication and office management.
Participants who successfully complete the programme receive a Maldives Qualifications Authority-accredited Level 3 certificate.
Training was delivered by experienced military instructors specialising in the respective technical fields.
The latest graduation brings the number of young people who have completed vocational and skills training under National Service to 136 within the programme’s first year.
The government is already preparing to continue the programme, with vocational training for the third batch scheduled to begin on October 12.
The technical training programme forms part of the broader Maldives National Service initiative, which was formally launched on October 1, 2025 as a pathway for young Maldivians to receive structured training, develop practical skills and access further employment opportunities.
The programme’s initial training component combines areas such as responsible citizenship, national identity, religious education and leadership with physical fitness and practical training including first aid, firefighting and self-defence.
The government recently announced that it had surpassed its first-year target of providing National Service training to 1,000 young people. A total of 1,028 participants completed National Service Initial Training during the programme’s first year.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the initiative will be expanded further, with additional technical disciplines and National Service internship programmes planned as the government seeks to create clearer pathways between training and employment.
The government has positioned National Service as both a youth development and employment initiative, while also seeking to promote discipline, national identity, Islamic values and a commitment to public service among participants.
Graduates have been offered different pathways following their initial training, including further technical education and employment opportunities. Some participants have also been placed with institutions such as the Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service, Maldives Immigration and aviation security services.
With the latest group completing its vocational courses and another intake due to begin this month, the technical component is expected to become a larger part of National Service as the programme enters its second year.
