President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to introduce additional technical training fields and internship opportunities under the Maldives National Service as the programme enters its second year.
The announcement was made as National Service marked one year since its launch on October 1, 2025, with the government reporting that it had surpassed its initial target of training 1,000 young Maldivians during the first year.
In a social media post commemorating the anniversary, Muizzu said 1,028 young people had completed National Service Initial Training over the past year. A further 136 participants received training through the National Service Skills Training Programme.
The President said the first year had demonstrated the programme’s potential as a platform for youth development and thanked those involved in its implementation. He also congratulated participants who completed the training and their families.
As the programme expands, Muizzu said additional technical areas will be incorporated to provide participants with a broader range of practical and vocational skills.
National Service internship programmes are also planned, creating opportunities for participants to gain workplace experience after completing their initial training.
The government additionally intends to strengthen the role of the National Career Service in helping National Service graduates find employment and transition into the workforce.
National Service was introduced as part of the administration’s efforts to provide structured opportunities for young Maldivians who may not immediately continue into higher education or employment after leaving school.
The programme combines physical training, discipline, teamwork and personal development with skills intended to prepare participants for employment and public service.
Training has been conducted at the Maldives National Defence Force’s Composite Training Centre in Maafilaafushi, Lhaviyani Atoll.
The initiative was first announced by Muizzu during his Victory Day address in November 2024, with preparations subsequently undertaken before applications opened for the first intake in 2025.
Participants are selected through a process that includes interviews, aptitude assessments, physical screening and medical examinations.
The first group of National Service participants graduated in December 2025, with graduates subsequently offered different pathways into technical education, uniformed services and other employment opportunities.
Some participants continued into specialised technical and vocational training, while others were placed with institutions including the Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service, Maldives Immigration and aviation security services. Opportunities were also provided for participants seeking employment in the private sector.
The government has positioned the initiative as both a youth employment programme and a means of strengthening discipline, national identity, public service and Islamic values among younger generations.
More than 1,000 participants across three batches have now completed training under the initiative.
Muizzu said the government intends to build on the first year’s progress by broadening the skills available through National Service and establishing clearer pathways from training into employment.
The planned introduction of internships and additional technical fields will form part of the next phase, with the National Career Service expected to play a larger role in connecting graduates with jobs.
