As the biggest edition in its history gets underway in Shanghai, more than 1,300 competitors from 68 countries and regions have plunged into four days of hands-on contests at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, vying for world champion titles across 64 skills.
The biennial WorldSkills Competition, the world's largest and most influential vocational skills event, has been held 47 times. This year's edition, running from Tuesday to Sunday at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, will feature more events and competitors than any previous edition.
The demands match the scale, with competitors, whether in auto technology, 3D printing or hairdressing, putting in 15 to 22 hours of practical work in each skill area before a world champion is crowned in every one of the 64 events.
This year, seven skills are making their debut at the competition, including rail vehicle technology, unmanned aerial systems, intelligent security technology and software testing, aligning with the digital economy, smart manufacturing, urban operations and public services.
For the first time, running alongside the contests are two companion events that give the competition the feel of a broader festival of skills.
The WorldSkills Conference 2026 is taking up questions such as the impact of artificial intelligence on skilled talent and the development of green skills, while the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo displays distinctive crafts from around the world and from China's provinces and regions.
The openness extends to the public as well, with admission to all events free through advance registration and "Try-a-Skill" areas set up alongside, allowing visitors to experience the skills firsthand.
The WorldSkills Competition, operated by WorldSkills International, was first held in Spain in 1950 and focused largely on traditional trades such as construction and manufacturing, with automation, the expansion of the service sector and the rise of the internet later bringing new skills onto the competition floor.
China joined WorldSkills International in 2010 and has competed in seven editions, ranking first in both the gold-medal tally and overall group points at the past four editions.
World's biggest skills contest underway in Shanghai
