CHINA: "To inspire more young people to pursue careers in specialized fields"

The 48th edition of the WorldSkills Competition recently concluded successfully in Shanghai.

During this competition, the Chinese candidate He Xiaoman obtained the best overall score in the "Rail Vehicle Technology" category and won the Albert Vidal prize.

SHANGHAI, SHANGHAI, CHINA, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The 48th WorldSkills Competition recently concluded successfully in Shanghai. A total of 1,385 young competitors from 68 countries and regions embodied the theme "Master Your

Skills, Change Your Future" through their exceptional talents. Representatives from various international organizations, as well as global vocational training experts and guests, commended China for organizing a spectacular event and placing vocational training at the heart of global development.

This edition of the WorldSkills Competition introduced an innovative model called "One Competition, Two Platforms." A series of exchange events—including the WorldSkills Conference 2026, the WorldSkills Expo Shanghai 2026, and the "One School, One Member" program—were widely praised. Francis Hourant, President of WorldSkills International, emphasized that the WorldSkills 2026 Conference fostered a convergence of perspectives and yielded significant results. During a special panel discussion on the impact of AI on the future of the labor market, Narmeen Almarzooqi, a former WorldSkills competitor from the United Arab Emirates, stressed that AI cannot replace human "transferable skills" such as critical thinking, adaptability, and social empathy. At the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo, international guests were captivated by demonstrations of both traditional and modern crafts, including the restoration of ancient Chinese books, ancient architecture using mortise and tenon joinery, and the making of porcelain and motorcycles. Competitors and visitors from around the world took advantage of this opportunity to exchange technical expertise and strengthen their connections. Aphaiboun Luibouathong, an international student volunteer from Laos, shared a heartfelt sentiment: “Skills know no borders. They not only pave the way for everyone’s future, but they also build bridges of friendship between nations.”

As part of the “One School, One Member” program, Nurit Davidowicz, an Austrian medalist at WorldSkills, expressed keen interest in the vocational training models implemented in Chinese institutions, emphasizing that the competition had allowed the world to admire the beauty of craftsmanship. Mr. Hourant warmly praised this edition, calling it the best ever, and expressed his hope that China’s experience as host of the competition would benefit the world, help raise the level of vocational education in various countries, and inspire more young people to pursue skilled trades.

This edition of the WorldSkills Competition included 64 skill categories, with the introduction of seven new skills, while the traditional categories were updated to reflect the evolving industrial landscape. Since joining WorldSkills International in 2010, China has dominated both the gold medal standings and the overall team rankings for five consecutive editions. At this competition, Chinese candidate He Xiaoman achieved the highest overall score in the "Rail Vehicle Technology" category and won the Albert Vidal Prize. A growing wave of talented young Chinese are leveraging their professional skills to forge successful careers and shine on the international stage, further strengthening the country's skilled workforce.

China continues to deepen global skills cooperation and actively share its experience in developing vocational education. At the WorldSkills 2026 Conference, Shanghai published its directory recognizing the professional skill levels of holders of foreign certificates, thus enabling the conversion, in Shanghai, of vocational certificates issued by several countries into local qualifications without requiring a new examination. Furthermore, nine local vocational schools have established partnerships with foreign institutions, and a Global Skills Innovation Center will be created in Shanghai. David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, commended China for proactively sharing its development achievements and helping other countries progress, demonstrating its commitment as a major and responsible nation.

This competition allowed the world to witness firsthand the quality of China's vocational education system. Brazil sent its largest delegation ever to the competition, strengthening its partnerships with Shanghai institutions in integrating businesses with vocational schools and universities, as well as in training skilled talent, thus making skills a new link in bilateral cooperation. French vocational education officials visited vocational training institutions in Shanghai, praising the results achieved over several decades of Sino-French cooperation in this field and commending China's commitment to honoring its traditions while adopting a pragmatic and innovative approach. Andreas Schleicher, Director of the Education and Skills Department at the OECD, stated that China's vocational education practices had yielded fruitful results, providing valuable, enriching, and practical experience for training skilled talent globally, particularly in developing countries.