On the stage of the WorldSkills Competition, medals represent the ultimate goal for every Competitor and stand as the brightest symbol of their skills and aspirations. The medals for the 48th WorldSkills Competition have now been officially unveiled.

Five categories of medals and awards will be presented at the 48th WorldSkills Competition: gold, silver and bronze medals, the Best of Nation Award, and the Medal for Excellence. The medals are manufactured by Shanghai Mint Company and were led in design by Zhu Xihua, a Shanghai craftsman and senior arts and crafts master. The design highlights cultural heritage, artistic excellence and a distinctive identity for the Competition.

Taking the gold medal as an example, its design showcases three key innovations.

An innovative form. The medal features an irregular hexagonal shape inspired by the traditional Chinese mortise and tenon joint, making this iconic woodworking technique its defining visual element and reflecting the essence of skills.

An innovative concept. The front of the medal presents a three-dimensional mortise and tenon structure, symbolizing the craftsmanship spirit of striving for perfection and pursuing excellence. The reverse features the lintel of Shanghai’s iconic Shikumen architecture alongside the silhouette of the modern city skyline. As the Shikumen gateway gradually opens, it conveys the ideas of preserving tradition while embracing innovation, embodying Shanghai’s character as an open, innovative and inclusive city.

Innovative craftsmanship. The medal is made with brass as its base material and produced using a multi-colour electroplating process, creating a rich interplay of glossy and matte finishes while ensuring long-lasting durability without deformation or fading.

“We broke away from the conventional flat, circular medal design by adopting the traditional Chinese mortise and tenon structure as the core visual element, creating a distinctive irregular hexagonal shape unique to this Competition,” said Liu Hongpeng, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Mint Company. “WorldSkills has spoken highly of the design, noting that it perfectly integrates traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.”