How can museums serve as bridges connecting the world? On 17 May, to celebrate the 50th International Museum Day, the WorldSkills Museum hosted a skills fair themed “Competition Connects the World, Skills Create a Better Life.” The event turned the six industry sectors featured in the WorldSkills Competition into visual and hands-on experiences, showcasing how skills help connect people across the globe.

The skills fair was organized into two main zones, featuring more than 20 interactive activities that spanned themes such as cutting-edge technology, traditional craftsmanship, and everyday life. The WorldSkills-themed zone featured hands-on experience of the new skills added to the Competition for 2026. The Skills Master Demonstration Zone featured exclusive demonstrations by national technical experts and Shanghai craftspeople.

Attracting more than 800 participants, the event helped build momentum for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which will take place in Shanghai this September, bringing the Competition closer to people’s everyday lives.

When drones meet exoskeletons: A thrilling preview of the future Competition arena

With futuristic and tech-forward elements as highlights, the highly popular hands-on activities at this fair offered fun extensions of the core projects in three WorldSkills competition sectors: Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Information and Communication Technology, and Transportation and Logistics. Skills at the forefront of intelligent manufacturing were transformed into interactive experiences, from trying on and operating futuristic exoskeletons to competing against AI, which became must-visit spots for young sci-tech enthusiasts.

The football experience showcasing Unmanned Aerial Systems, one of the seven new additions to this year’s WorldSkills Competition, drew huge crowds, filling the area with nonstop cheers and excitement. Players controlled spherical drones to collide, jump over obstacles, and score goals, resembling a cyber version of “Quidditch.” “Through this activity, kids not only have fun but also get an early introduction to a new WorldSkills Competition skill. It’s both educational and meaningful,” said a parent.

Another popular one felt straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster: two upgraded ULS Robotics exoskeletons, identical to the ones featured in the movie, The Wandering Earth 2, made an appearance. One was the FIT-HV PRO waist exoskeleton, with which viewers could easily lift heavy objects on site. It is reported that the device can provide up to 30 kg of combined assistance, effectively offsetting heavy loads with ease. The other model was the VIATRIX extended-range power exoskeleton, which gave visitors a light, agile walking experience, with many exclaiming, “That’s so cool.”

Projects such as the Mind Spider, AI Rock-Paper-Scissors, and Chinese Chess Robots also featured intense brain battles between humans and machines, allowing visitors to experience the charm of artificial intelligence through competition. Many teenagers lingered around the booths for a long time, fully absorbed in the challenges.

Eco-friendly fun, trendy handmade crafts: The warmth of skills in everyday life

The skills showcased on the field are not out of reach, but also woven into the small, everyday moments of life. Booths for Creative Arts and Fashion, Social and Personal Services, and Construction and Building Technology showcased the warmth of skills accessible to everyone, blending tradition with trend and creativity with aesthetics.

“Gym” or “street food stall”? In front of the bicycle-powered popcorn machine was a long line, which was also a major highlight of the market and attracted many families to stop to take photos. Pedalling the bicycle to generate electricity produced a fragrant batch of popcorn, filling the area with bursts of laughter. This zero-carbon interactive experience also conveyed the idea of using skills to advance sustainable development.

The creative doll-clothing activity combined fashion-design with trendy toys, inviting participants to use needle and thread to craft unique outfits for their beloved dolls. The pet-leash weaving activity was a special favourite among pet owners and its design could also be adapted into a phone lanyard, which was very popular.

Cement-construction DIY projects and wooden punk robots became creative expressions of structural architecture, revealing a playful side to skills often seen as serious and precise. Meanwhile, hands-on stalls such as enamel fridge-magnet making, creative nail art, and coffee latte art also allowed visitors to experience the warmth and beauty of everyday craftsmanship.

Cross-sector plus boundary-breaking: Masters showcasing craftsmanship with a creative edge

In the Skills Master Demonstration Zone, a veteran carpenter, a master baker, and a boundary-breaking guest kept the atmosphere lively throughout the event.

On the morning of that day, Gu Huiming, a Shanghai craftsman and technical expert, demonstrated the making of the Lu Ban Lock and wooden flowers. With just a plane and a glue gun, a clearly structured, delicate, and lifelike wooden flower was soon created. A teenager who watched the entire process was struck by the ingenuity of the ancient craftsmanship embodied in the Lu Ban Lock, and expressed an interest in woodworking and hoped to learn related skills and knowledge. Master Gu noted that integrating carpentry with the cultural and creative industries is breathing new life into this ancient craft, creating a vibrant link between past and present.

A luxurious three-tier cake drew a lot of spectators for the afternoon session. The piece was created by Qiu Zhijun, a national technical expert, Shanghai craftsman, and coach of the Chinese team for the WorldSkills Competition. According to his introduction, the cake was made using cutting-edge rice paper technology to form a three‑dimensional S-shaped design. This technology has also been partially applied in the Baking skill of the WorldSkills Competition. At the same time, as one of Shanghai’s “Masters of Education” who has long been dedicated to vocational training, Qiu expressed her hope that these emerging technologies, through the platform of the Competition, could be incorporated into both teaching and production.

Occasional melodic piano notes drifting through the market came from a special guest, a mechanical pianist. Through programming, it could perform any piano piece, demonstrating the creative integration of technology and art in every note.

With the 48th WorldSkills Competition approaching, the WorldSkills Museum will continue to deepen public understanding of the Competition and raise awareness of skills through exhibitions and activities, inviting the public to welcome this global event together.