From 22 to 27 September 2026, the 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai. Will the general public have the opportunity to experience the event up close? According to Yang Jiaying, Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, the Competition is expected to attract more than 5,500 registered participants from 70 countries and regions, including 1,400 Competitors. It is expected to set three records in WorldSkills history: the highest number of skill competitions, the largest number of Competitors, and the widest international participation among member countries and regions. For the public, the experience will extend far beyond the Competition itself.

64 skill competitions, including seven new additions reflecting emerging skill trends

The Competition will feature 64 skill competitions across six sectors, covering fields such as Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Industry 4.0, and 3D Digital Game Art. Seven new skills have been added, including Rail Vehicle Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Intelligent Security Technology, Software Testing, and Digital Interactive Media Design. These additions reflect the rapid development of new quality productive forces and emerging skill trends, while also opening up new career pathways and employment opportunities for young skilled professionals.

A free and interactive skills carnival for all

“Open to all” is a key principle of this year’s Competition. All events will be free and open to the public, allowing visitors to experience world-class skills competitions up close as top young professionals compete at the highest level. If you are drawn to creative design, competitions such as Landscape Gardening, Floristry, and Hairdressing are sure to impress with their visual beauty. If you are a tech enthusiast, events such as Unmanned Aerial Systems and Robotics are likely to amaze you through cutting-edge innovation and technical skill.

Alongside the Competition, the WorldSkills Expo will offer a wide range of interactive Try-a-Skill activities. Visitors can also explore the WorldSkills Museum located along the Yangpu Riverside. Since opening in November 2023, the museum has welcomed more than one million visitors and has launched popular educational programs such as “Champion Talks” and “Skill Workshops”.

Live streaming will also be available across new media platforms, with industry experts and key influencers providing commentary and insights into the competitions. The public is encouraged to follow the official social media accounts, WeChat official account, and video channels of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 for visitor guides, event updates, and pre-event activities.

From watching to learning: empowering Shanghai residents with skills

Shanghai currently has 4.06 million skilled workers, including 1.45 million highly skilled professionals, accounting for 36 percent of the city’s total skilled workforce. The city is now implementing a citywide “Skills Enhancement Year” initiative to help residents gain more direct access to practical skills development opportunities.

Shanghai has also introduced new vocational skills training subsidies closely aligned with industrial development. Among them, Category A subsidies focus on the city’s three leading industries — integrated circuits, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence — as well as essential public service sectors such as elderly care, domestic services, and healthcare support. Residents can also easily search online for high-quality, reliable training providers nearby.

For Shanghai: building a lasting legacy where city, skills, and talent thrive together

“Skills change the world; skills illuminate the future.” Hosting the WorldSkills Competition provides an important platform to showcase the world’s highest standards of skills excellence and to deepen international cooperation and exchange in skills development. For Shanghai, the Competition will serve as an opportunity to further integrate WorldSkills standards into its vocational education and training systems, while also highlighting the city’s development opportunities to skilled talent around the world – encouraging them to choose Shanghai, build their careers in Shanghai, and thrive in Shanghai.