The historic clock tower square in Thimphu transformed into a bustling arena of creativity and craftsmanship last week as Bhutan’s emerging talents gathered for the Second National Skills Competition. Held over three intensive days—and timed to coincide with National Zorig Day—the event showcased 21 of the nation’s finest young artisans, tradespeople, and tech innovators, each vying for top honours and cash awards.
From dawn until dusk, audiences flocked to witness live demonstrations of painting, sculpture, wood carving, metal fabrication, mobile app development, plumbing and brick laying. With only seven hours per day to complete each assignment, competitors balanced artistry, precision and speed under the watchful eyes of expert judges.
Eight gifted painters set to work on thangka paintings of the Buddhist deity Tara. Among them, 24-year-old Threchu Dorji captivated the panel with his luminous hues, meticulous detailing and balanced composition, earning him the top spot in the painting category. “I poured all my practice into these three days,” he reflected. Runner-up Karma Tshewang—competing for the first time—said he doubted he could finish in time but was thrilled with his performance.
Across the square, fingers flew over keyboards in the Mobile App Development contest. Teams raced to build “TVET Connect,” an interactive platform that gamifies occupational health and safety training. Developer Karma Thapkhey took first prize for an intuitive interface and engaging game mechanics, with Neraj Bhatta Rai placing second. “We wanted to make learning feel like play,” Thapkhey explained as he accepted his award.
Not far away, sculptors molded clay into representations of the Buddha. Though his statue remained only partially complete, Tashi Wangdi impressed judges with its serene expression and flawless proportions, securing him first place in the sculpture division. “Working with clay is a multi-stage process,” he noted. “A little more time would have let me refine it further.”
Meanwhile, the rhythmic chisel strikes of the woodcarving competition resonated through the square. Each participant crafted a traditional Druk Dhongchen, or dragon face, from a single block of wood. Monggar native Jigme Kezang—whose childhood passion for carving led him to a vocational institute—clinched the victory. “This contest taught me that quality demands both patience and careful time management,” he said.
In the Metal Art Fabrication arena, showers of sparks flew as competitors fashioned gilded fish sculptures judged on proportional accuracy and finish. Dewas Limbu, a graduate of Sarpang’s Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute, emerged triumphant.
The Plumbing contest tested the technical acumen of young tradesmen and women, challenging them to install fully functional piping systems. Karma Wangchuk, whose fascination with plumbing began in adolescence, won top marks for precise alignments and leak-proof joints. “I trained for three years but never had a chance to compete,” he shared. “This win fuels my ambition to excel even further.”
Perhaps the competition’s most inspiring moment came in the Brick Laying category, where 24-year-old Tshering Peldon of Samdrup Jongkhar defied gender norms to outperform seven male counterparts. “I grew up thinking masonry was exclusively for men,” she admitted, “but I saw the opportunity and seized it.” Her flawless brickwork and confident pace earned her the first-place ribbon.
From chisels to code, the Second National Skills Competition was more than a contest—it was a vivid testament to Bhutan’s next generation of skilled workers. As prizes were handed out against the backdrop of the clock tower, organisers and spectators alike celebrated not only individual achievements but also a collective reaffirmation of pride in craftsmanship. In proving their mettle under pressure, these young professionals have shown that Bhutan’s future—its artistry, its industries and its digital enterprises—rests in capable, imaginative hands.
