In the dazzling constellation of WorldSkills, a young girl from the city of Kaifeng in China’s Henan province, is shining brightly with her remarkable story. Jingyi Lu, a Chinese girl who rose from the setback of a failed high school entrance exam to bravely clinch the gold medal in Chemical Lab Technology at WorldSkills Competition Lyon 2024, is one of the Global Dream Ambassadors for WorldSkills Shanghai. Her inspiring journey of transformation proves to the world that life is not limited to a single path, and the brilliance of skills can shine just as brightly to guide our way forward.

Metamorphosis: rising from a failed exam to WorldSkills Champion

Born in a small county in Kaifeng, Henan, Jingyi Lu was raised by her grandparents while her parents worked away from home. Having always been a strong student throughout primary and middle school, failing her high school entrance exam was a huge disappointment to her parents, and with herself feeling lost, her future seemed bleak. Following her teachers’ advice, she enrolled in the Chemical Analysis and Testing program at Henan Chemical Technician College with her solid foundation in chemistry.

Upon entering campus, Jingyi found the coursework as daunting as her peers did, noting that it involved “many calculation problems typically seen in high school or even college.” As classmates rushed to change their majors, she chose to persevere, encouraged by her family. This seemingly grueling decision ultimately became the first major turning point in her life.

The true transformation was sparked when she discovered vocational skills competitions. In 2021, while volunteering at the WorldSkills Henan Invitational Competition, Jingyi was assigned to Jiang Yuhe, a senior from her own college. Jiang was a legendary figure who had also failed high school entrance exam to win gold at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. Seeing Jiang dedicate over ten hours a day to practice in the lab profoundly struck Jingyi. “I was so impressed by her knowledge of chemistry, so fascinated by her journey to compete. She became my role model.”

From that moment on, Jingyi was determined to compete and threw herself entirely into her training. Chemical laboratory technology is a skill that demands speed, precision, and stability. Her biggest hurdle was learning to weigh samples quickly and accurately. Her instructor tasked her with weighing 80 samples in two consecutive hours without compromising accuracy. “There was no shortcut,” she recalled. “It took relentless, repetitive practice to become fully one with my tools.” Driven by extraordinary grit, she ultimately shortened the time down to just 40 minutes.

Jingyi began her competition plans in 2022. As a newcomer at the 1st Kaifeng Municipal Vocational Skills Competition, a brief moment of distraction caused her to mix a 100ml solution instead of the required 200ml. This nerve-wracking experience served as a turning point, making her incredibly precise and composed in subsequent events. She competed her way through the municipal, provincial, and national selection rounds, ultimately earning the right to represent China at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Jingyi traveled to Lyon, France in September 2024 for the Competition. Spanning four days and encompassing chemical analysis, photo-metric analysis, and organic synthesis, the event demanded exceptional all-around proficiency. Despite the intense pressure, Jingyi tackled every detail with calm, steady focus. Backed by the solid foundation and expert techniques developed during her training, she seamlessly completed a series of complex experiments and win the gold medal in Chemical Laboratory Technology. “Lyon has been the highlight of my life,” Jingyi said emotionally. “If I become a teacher in the future, it will be the story I tell my students. I truly believe that skills changed my life.”

Mission of the Global Dream Ambassador: from dreamer to promoter, shattering stereotypes with her own story

Despite her world championship title, Jingyi has not rested on her personal glory. Recognizing that vocational education is often unfairly labelled as a “lesser choice” in China and globally, she frequently visits vocational schools to share her story, encouraging youth to value skills and working alongside local authorities to boost public awareness of skills training. In early 2025, her efforts culminated in her election as the WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia for the 2025-2026 term.

During the WorldSkills General Assembly in Croatia in October 2025, she was named the Global Dream Ambassador for WorldSkills Shanghai, a role that brings new responsibilities. “Skills were the key that unlocked my future, giving me the courage to pursue my dreams as an ordinary vocational student,” she explains. Having reached the WorldSkills podium, she has successfully transitioned from a dreamer to a spokesperson. “It is a mission to spread the value of skills, allowing me to evolve from a recipient to a promoter. I will continue to actively promote WorldSkills. Just as Jiang inspired me, I want to be a guiding light for others.”

Jingyi advocates for skills education as a way to combat youth unemployment and tackle economic inequality, particularly for marginalized groups. “Our destiny isn’t determined by a single exam,“ she asserts. “If you don’t give up on yourself, there are many routes to success. Skills can 100% offer you a good life. Skills will help you establish a solid footing in society.”

Additionally, Jingyi highly prioritizes international communication. She recently formed a strong friendship with two African vocational students after sharing their respective growth stories. Jingyi also hopes to use this opportunity to promote her country on the global stage. “I want to devote myself to bringing China and other countries in Asia closer to the world and fostering global communication,” she says.

Her message to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: connecting through skills, pursuing future dreams

With the 48th WorldSkills Competition set to take place in Shanghai, Jingyi envisions it as an “arena and a bridge of friendship for the world’s skilled youth.” Her message to the Competitors is clear: “Connect through skills, chase your future dreams. Shanghai is gathering dreamers from across the globe. This is your Competition, and more importantly, your stage to grow. I want you to showcase your craft with a true artisan’s heart, ignite your dreams with passion, and let the world see the incredible power of skills!”

From the labs in Kaifeng to the podium in Lyon, and now to the global spotlight in Shanghai, Jingyi’s journey proves what perseverance and passion can achieve. As the Global Dream Ambassador, her story sends a powerful message: When skills meet dreams, every young person can write an extraordinary chapter. In a world full of possibilities, skills are a golden key to unlocking a beautiful future.