On 29 January, the WorldSkills training base at Shanghai Trade School’s Chifeng Road campus was already alive with the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year. Red lanterns, Chinese knots, the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread, and steaming dumplings set the scene for a special edition of the “Champion Masterclass” held ahead of the preparation week for the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. This event, titled “Skills Connecting the World, Celebrating the New Year Together,” was a public education activity jointly organized by the WorldSkills Museum, the WorldSkills Champions Trust, and the Museum’s alliance school.

The participants of this “Champion Masterclass” were not only Skills Dream Ambassadors, but also the  “chefs” and “WorldSkills stars” of the event. Rachel Crawford from Australia and Abraham Mundengo from Zambia are Skills Dream Ambassadors for the 48th WorldSkills Competition and WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives. They joined Zeng Xiao’an, Skills Dream Ambassador for the 48th WorldSkills Competition from China, at the event, and kicked off a unique “Cross-Skill Showdown,” blending baking techniques, the spirit of the WorldSkills Competition, and the festive vibe of the Chinese New Year to create a fresh and engaging experience.

“Cross‑skill teaming up” became the standout highlight of the showdown. Rachel Crawford, recipient of the Medallion for Excellence in the Bakery sector at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, partnered with Abraham Mundengo, a Competitor in the Information Network Cabling sector from the same event, to form the “International Cross‑Skill Team.” Meanwhile, Lan Tian, a baking instructor at Shanghai Trade School, teamed up with Zeng Xiao’an, the bronze Medalist in the Health and Social Care sector at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, to form the “Local Cross‑Skill Team.”

The event started with a German pretzel-making showdown. As a classic in baking, this bread is known for its elegant, intricately twisted shapes. The challenge for each Dream Ambassador was to craft the bread into a “Chinese knot,” an iconic Chinese New Year symbol.

Following the classic apprenticeship model of vocational education, the baking mentors guided their paired “apprentices,” each from a different skill background, turning the stage into a lively cross‑skill, cross‑border exchange of craftsmanship. Kneading the dough, rolling it into strips, twisting it into knots… as the steps unfolded, the “amateur apprentices” gradually got the hang of the technique and even added their own creative touches under their mentors’ guidance. One by one, the brightly glazed Chinese‑knot lye breads came fresh out of the oven. The previous “competitors” now chatted cheerfully, sharing baking tips and reflections on the challenges of the craft.

For his first baking experience, Abraham discovered that kneading pretzels had much in common with his own professional expertise. Shaping the perfect “Chinese knot,” for instance, was much like ensuring the precise length of cables during wiring. Rachel was delighted to be in the kitchen. “I firmly believe that you can learn something new anytime and anywhere, and today is no exception,” she said with a smile. Zeng Xiao’an mentioned that this was her first time gaining hands-on experience in a different skill of the WorldSkills Competition, adding, “Baking is truly magical.” Lantian also gave high praise to this special group of apprentices.

A Chinese New Year experience wouldn’t be complete without making dumplings. From classic styles to ingot-shaped variations, and from teaching hand gestures to pinching pleats, Chinese and international guests alike enjoyed the fun of crafting this traditional delicacy together.

While Abraham is currently working on improving skills education in Africa, Rachel hopes to continue promoting the value of skills to young people worldwide through the WorldSkills platform, and Zeng Xiao’an is intensively preparing for the Competition, inspiring young skilled talents through her actions. The three Skills Dream Ambassadors engaged in the cross‑skill event to jointly convey the mission of skills development and shine a light on the power of skills for the new year.

This event also marks a practical initiative by the WorldSkills Museum to leverage its role in skills exchange and education while deepening collaboration with alliance schools. With skills interaction as the bond, it embodies the spirit of the WorldSkills Competition and showcases Chinese traditions to the world. As the preparation week approaches, the event continues to build momentum for the upcoming 48th WorldSkills Competition, fostering a vibrant atmosphere for skills exchange.