While skilled youth from around the world compete with passion on the WorldSkills Competition stage, WorldSkills Conference, convening discussions, high-level meetings, and representatives from across sectors, will shape a shared blueprint for how skills can transform the world. Held from 23 to 25 September 2026 at the National Convention Center (Shanghai), WorldSkills Conference 2026: Shaping a skills-driven future will run alongside the 48th WorldSkills Competition, bringing together diverse voices to advance global skills development and international cooperation grounded in innovation, inclusion, and excellence.

As an international platform integrating much more than panel sessions, WorldSkills Conference 2026 will bring together leading figures from education, government, business, and industry worldwide. Participants will engage in in-depth discussions on global trends, key issues, and future pathways in vocational skills education and training, aiming to further promote the mission and vision of WorldSkills International and enhance cooperation and exchange among member countries and regions in the field of skills. The Conference is generally held every two years, in parallel with the WorldSkills Competition.

Reasons to join the WorldSkills Conference

· An important international platform for shaping the future of skills.

· High-level spokespersons and participants.Ministers and government representatives from multiple countries, leaders from business, education, and industry, youth representatives, and senior representatives from numerous international organizations.

· Broad global participation with diverse perspectives from many countries and regions.

· Bringing together industry leaders, recognized experts, and policymakers to serve as Conference speakers.

· Forward-looking nature: Anticipating trends and exploring innovative, cutting-edge directions in vocational education.

Highlights of the 2026 WorldSkills Conference

· First Shanghai skills development thematic parallel session: For the first time, the Conference will spotlight city-level initiatives, presenting Shanghai’s achievements in skills development and its experience in cultivating skilled talent.

· Skills CoLab: A hub that brings together cutting-edge skill projects from around the world, enabling meaningful engagement with potential partners and industry peers, and building an international platform for exchange, resource connection, and cooperation opportunities.

· BeChangeMaker 2026programme finale: Marking its tenth anniversary, the social entrepreneurship programme empowers young innovators worldwide to turn skills into business ideas. Five finalist teams will present their projects on stage and go head-to-head.

· Explore how multimodal large models and agent technology drive innovation across vocational skills.

· Field trip activities: Four themed routes, covering automotive manufacturing services, aviation services, rail transit, and vocational and technical schools. Participants can choose one route for an in-depth visit.

· WorldSkills Museum tour: Organized visits to the world’s first museum named after “WorldSkills,” offering an immersive experience of the historical evolution of skills.

· Exclusive touring route for the Competition: A specially designed route for watching skill competitions up close and experiencing the intensity of the final showdown.

· On-site display and experience: Hands-on opportunities to explore the characteristics of Conference alliance members and experience intangible cultural heritage through physical displays, dynamic demonstrations, and interactive activities.

More than a global gathering, WorldSkills Conference is also a call to action to promote collaboration among government, industry, and academia in a rapidly changing world to share best practices, provide skill-based solutions, and jointly push for the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

For the latest agenda details about the WorldSkills Conference 2026, please visit the Conference website: https://worldskillsconference2026.com/sessions-all/

To attend this landmark event, participants are required to purchase the ticket package provided by the 48th WorldSkills Competition. For detailed information and registration, please visit: https://worldskillsconference2026.com/register/

For inquiries about package bookings or pricing information, please contact the Visitor Support Team: client.support@wss2026.com