In May 2025, the “Blossoms in Xintiandi, Skills Ignite Youthful Dreams” Youth Floral Art Workshop was successfully held at Fuxing Park in Shanghai. The workshop was organized under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Jiefang Daily, and the Organizing Committee of the 2025 Shanghai International Flower Show. Set against the backdrop of the 2025 Shanghai International Flower Show and leveraging the momentum of the 48th WorldSkills Competition preparations, the workshop attracted 15 youth families through floristry education, hands-on skill experiences, and the promotion of craftsmanship.

As a recent major international floral event in Shanghai, the 2025 Shanghai International Flower Show provided a vibrant platform for this workshop. To start the day, horticulture expert Zang Jun led the students on a guided tour of the “Garden Wonderland” exhibition area in Fuxing Park, allowing them to explore the beauty of floral artistry up close.

Notably, the workshop marked exactly 500 days until the opening of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.

“The WorldSkills Competition has brought national attention to the floristry profession. It has helped unify judging standards and significantly advanced talent development in the field,” said Zhu Yingying, Head of the China Expert Team for Floristry at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.

Held every two years, the WorldSkills Competition is the world’s highest-level vocational skills contest. It is widely regarded as the gold standard in occupational excellence and technical education.

According to Zhu, since China’s debut in the floristry competition in 2017, its participants have earned two gold medals and two Medallions for Excellence. From the WorldSkills Competition stage to vocational classrooms, from traditional floral art as intangible heritage to modern floral design in commercial spaces, Chinese floristry is blossoming on the global stage with growing standardization and innovation.

Lu Yiwei, who began learning floristry at 17 and went on to win a gold medal at the 45th WorldSkills Competition at just 19, shared his inspiring journey with the students. He recalled how his passion for flowers began and how he persevered on the path to becoming a champion. “We must carry forward the spirit of craftsmanship and ignite the light of skills,” Lu encouraged. “Walk the path of a great artisan with persistence and courage.”

Lu’s story resonated strongly with the young attendees.

Huang Zihan, a 7th-grade student at Shanghai Luwan Middle School, remarked, “His experience motivates us to find our direction in life through our interests and passions.” Shang Shiting from Shanghai United International School Shangyin Campus agreed: “I’ll keep exploring and experiencing new things until I find what I truly love.” Zhang Yuankun, a 3rd grader from Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School, added, “We should be brave enough to innovate and venture farther, to explore and discover.”

As the slogan of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 says, “Master Skills, Change Your Future.” Acquiring a skill truly can shape one’s future.

Following the WorldSkills theme presentation, Lu Yiwei guided the students through a floristry session to celebrate Mother’s Day. Demonstrating imagination and creativity, the students selected flowers, trimmed stems, and arranged blossoms with care, creating heartfelt floral baskets to express their love and gratitude for their mothers.

This workshop went beyond teaching floral aesthetics; it served as a window into personal growth and professional potential. By showcasing the values of WorldSkills and the spirit of craftsmanship, the workshop introduced students to the power of focus, creativity, and perseverance. These early experiences may one day inspire them to turn passion into purpose, and skill into success.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held in September 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), bringing together approximately 1,300 Competitors from over 60 countries and regions. Participants will compete in 64 skills events across six major categories: Construction and Building Technology, Creative Arts and Fashion, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Social and Personal Services, and Transportation and Logistics.

For more information about WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, visit the official website: https://worldskills2026.com