The Romanian Optical Fiber Association (AFOR), in partnership with WorldSkills Romania, continues to strengthen technical competencies in the field of electronic communications by organizing the National WorldSkills Romania Competition – Optical Fiber Splicing, reaching its third edition in 2026. This year’s edition is supported by Orange Romania as PREMIUM Partner.
The competition aims to connect technical education with the real needs of the telecommunications industry. The test focuses on essential practical skills for modern digital infrastructure: installation, splicing, measurement, and certification of optical fiber networks, in accordance with WorldSkills international standards and telecom operator requirements.
The 2026 edition marks a significant expansion of the project, with the inclusion of Electronics and Telecommunications faculties from Bucharest, Cluj‑Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara, strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and the development of high‑level specialists.
The winners of the national phase will be integrated into the National Optical Fiber Team and will have the opportunity to represent Romania in international optical fiber competitions, including WorldSkills International. In 2026, the global competition is scheduled to take place in Shanghai, offering Romanian participants the chance to compete at the highest international level.
The national final of the competition will take place on May 12, 2026, at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETTI) Bucharest.
As part of the project, AFOR also coordinates the ECERT Local Olympiads, organized in technical high schools and universities across the country. Below are the official dates of the local phases for 2026, as provided by the participating institutions.
| School | City | Local Phase Period |
|---|---|---|
| N.V. Karpen College | Bacău | March 2–6 |
| Technical College of Post and Telecommunications “Gheorghe Airinei” | Bucharest | April 23 |
| Transilvania Technological High School | Deva | February 2–6 |
| Technological High School of Electronics and Telecommunications “Gheorghe Mârzescu” | Iași | March 16–20 |
| George Barițiu Technical College | Baia Mare | March 16–20 |
| Domnul Tudor Technological High School | Drobeta‑Turnu Severin | March 16–20 |
| Emanuil Ungureanu Technical College | Timișoara | February 23–27 |
| Railway Transport Technological High School | Craiova | February 9–13 |
| “Cezar Nicolau” Technological High School | Brănești | February 9–13 |
| Faculty | City | Local Phase Period |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETTI) | Bucharest | February 16–20 |
| Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technologies (ETTI) | Timișoara | March 2–6 |
| Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETTI) | Iași | February 23–27 |
| Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETTI) | Cluj‑Napoca | February 23–27 |
Through this initiative, AFOR and WorldSkills Romania contribute directly to the development of a new generation of professionals in digital infrastructure. The project facilitates the transfer of industry know‑how into education, promotes technical excellence, and supports the strategic development of Romania’s communications networks.
