Shanghai WorldSkills closes with focus on vocational training

The 48th WorldSkills Competition ended in Shanghai with 1,385 young competitors from 68 countries and regions, putting vocational education and training in the global spotlight. China used the event to showcase skills training, expand international cooperation and press its case as a leader in skilled workforce development.

Why it matters: - The 48th WorldSkills Competition put skilled careers and vocational education in front of a global audience at a time when countries are looking for ways to fill talent gaps. - The event also gave China a platform to showcase its vocational education model and deepen ties with overseas institutions. - Organizers and international guests framed the competition as a way to inspire more young people to pursue skilled work.

What happened: - The 48th WorldSkills Competition closed in Shanghai with 1,385 young competitors from 68 countries and regions. - The competition used the theme “Master Skills Change Your Future.” - Representatives from international organizations, vocational education experts and guests praised China for hosting the event and elevating vocational education and training. - The event introduced a “one competition, two platforms” model. - Exchange events included the WorldSkills Conference 2026, the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo and the “One School One Member” programme.

The details: - WorldSkills Conference 2026 brought together different perspectives and produced what Francis Hourant, president of WorldSkills International, called significant results. - A panel on AI and the future labour market highlighted the view that artificial intelligence cannot replace human soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and social empathy. - The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo featured demonstrations of traditional and modern craftsmanship, including ancient Chinese book restoration, mortise-and-tenon architecture, porcelain and motorcycle skills. - Competitors and visitors used the event to exchange technical expertise and build connections. - Aphaiboun Luibouathong, an international student volunteer from Laos, said skills “not only illuminate individual futures but also build bridges of friendship across nations.” - During the “One School One Member” programme, Nurit Davidowicz, a WorldSkills medallist from Austria, examined training models at Chinese vocational colleges and said the competition showed the beauty of skills. - The competition covered 64 skill categories. - Seven emerging skills debuted, while traditional skill categories were upgraded to reflect industrial change. - China has topped the gold medal table and overall team rankings for five consecutive WorldSkills editions since joining WorldSkills International in 2010. - Chinese competitor He Xiaoman earned the highest overall score in Rail Vehicle Technology and won the Albert Vidal Award.

Between the lines: - China is using WorldSkills to position vocational education as both a domestic workforce strategy and an international cooperation tool. - The emphasis on AI, emerging skills and upgraded traditional categories suggests the competition is trying to align training with fast-changing labor-market needs. - Global praise from WorldSkills leaders, OECD officials and foreign delegations reinforces China’s effort to present its vocational system as a model for other countries.

What’s next: - Shanghai released a directory that recognizes the vocational skill levels of holders of overseas certificates. - The directory allows vocational certificates from multiple countries to be exchanged for local credentials in Shanghai without re-examination. - Nine local vocational schools partnered with overseas institutions. - A Global Skills Innovation Centre will be established in Shanghai. - China plans to continue sharing vocational education experience and expanding global skills cooperation. - David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, said China’s sharing of development achievements could help other countries advance and support more young people pursuing skilled careers.

The bottom line: - The Shanghai competition was not just a contest of skills. It was a showcase for China’s vocational education system and a bid to shape the global conversation on training the next generation of workers.