At the 2026 WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, a historic milestone has been achieved for the Caribbean nation of Barbados. 22-year-old skilled competitor Khajon Albert has secured the country’s first medal in the history of the global event, taking home bronze in the newly introduced Intelligent Security Technology category.
Barbados’ participation in the WorldSkills Competition stretches back less than a decade, with 2026 marking the fifth consecutive appearance of Team Barbados on this international stage. Dario Walcott, the official technical delegate leading the country’s delegation, called Albert’s win a watershed moment for Barbados’ growing skills development ecosystem.
“This is an unparalleled occasion for our country, for our entire delegation, and most of all, for Khajon,” Walcott shared in an interview immediately after the medal ceremony. “We’ve competed at every iteration of the competition since 2017, never before standing on the podium. This year, we’re competing in a brand-new skill category that’s never been featured at WorldSkills before, and to leave with a medal? It’s beyond what many of us dared to hope for. I genuinely can’t put how proud I am into words.”
Beyond celebrating the historic medal, Walcott emphasized how the achievement highlights the impact of aligning local skills training with global industry standards. He credited a long-standing international partnership with supporting the team’s preparation over months of rigorous training, extending gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the success—from on-site experts and fellow competitors to administrative staff working behind the scenes from Barbados.
For Albert himself, the bronze medal is the culmination of an intense, transformative journey competing against the world’s top young skilled professionals. The competitor echoed Walcott’s pride in the entire Team Barbados contingent, highlighting the collective dedication that has driven every member of the delegation throughout the event.
“I’m so proud of every single person on this team,” Albert said. “Every competitor brought their absolute best, poured their heart into their work, and that collective effort made this moment possible. None of this would have happened without that shared passion.”
Albert also extended heartfelt thanks to his personal support network, crediting his friends, family and loved ones for providing constant encouragement and calm through the high-pressure competition. Looking ahead, the young bronze medalist says he is already eager to build on this experience and pursue new challenges in his professional career.
“I’ve loved every minute of this, even through the pressure,” Albert noted. “I would jump at the chance to compete again, and now I’m ready to move into my next chapter with this incredible memory behind me.”
The groundbreaking win is expected to drive greater investment in skills training across Barbados, inspiring a new generation of young workers to compete and excel on the global stage.