European competitors gear up for 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

European competitors have spent months gearing up for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, aiming for top honors at the global stage.

The competition opened in Shanghai on Tuesday evening, with 1,385 competitors from 68 countries and regions vying in 64 skill events. The competition brings together young skilled professionals from around the world to showcase their expertise and exchange experience.

Among the participants is 18-year-old Niek Geerligs from the Dutch town of Oldenzaal, who has been rigorously preparing for the mobile applications development category, one of the competition's burgeoning fields. Having transitioned from web design less than two years ago, Geerligs secured his ticket to Shanghai through a series of competitive qualifiers.

"(I'm) a bit nervous but excited. There are areas in my skill area that I'm good at and need to work on. The design is not currently the best, but I'm improving still," said Geerligs.

Dating back to the mid-20th century, the WorldSkills Competition was originally designed to ignite youth enthusiasm for vocational training. While technological advancements have reshaped industries, participants and delegation leaders emphasize that modern tech complements rather than replaces human craftsmanship.

Aircraft maintenance remains one of the competition's premier and most rigorous disciplines, demanding absolute precision in every procedure and component -- qualities that insulate the profession from automation in the era of rapid AI development.

In Luxembourg, contestant Jonah Gasper has undergone intensive one-on-one training for about a month, focusing heavily on electrical systems ahead of the Shanghai event. "I've seen my future pretty safe, especially, AI cannot replace craftsman. I could go, I would say, almost everywhere and get a job because it's needed and will be needed in the future as well," said Gasper.

Claudine Thoma, head of the Unit and Technical Delegate of WorldSkills Luxembourg, said that at present, there is still prejudice against vocational skills in society, adding that reversing this situation requires long-term efforts and initiatives such as the WorldSkills Competition to help change public perception and prove that vocational skills are equally "cool".

"It (vocational education) definitely is not a second choice. It is a first choice. Nowadays education is a lot influenced by technology and AI, of course. But behind every profession, behind every job, there are people. And we still need people and we invest in people, we invest in their skills, we invest in their education, vocational education, because if we invest in them, we invest in our future," she said.

The WorldSkills Competition, held every two years and operated by WorldSkills International, is widely regarded as the world's leading vocational skills competition.

The WorldSkills Conference 2026 and the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo are held alongside the competition. Competition events will conclude on Sept. 27.

European competitors gear up for 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo welcomed its first public open day on Wednesday at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, offering nearly 100 hands-on skill experiences across 300 interactive booths.

With the 48th WorldSkills Competition officially underway, the expo has transformed the center into a lively hub of skills demonstration and exchange.

Inside the China Pavilion, exhibits trace the evolution of Chinese craftsmanship from ancient times to the present, centered on the Four Great Inventions, from movable-type printing to modern communications, from the ancient compass to Beidou satellite navigation, from papermaking techniques to artificial intelligence, and from the invention of gunpowder to today's cutting-edge energy technologies. The displays illustrate the continuous journey of Chinese skills throughout the ages.

Among the hands-on experiences is the traditional "woodblock watermark printing" technique, which uses precisely carved blocks to reproduce Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Visitors can print the official WorldSkills Competition logo onto specially designed hanging scrolls as a unique souvenir.

A total of 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities from across China have brought their signature skills to the expo. The range is vast, from interactive robots representing advanced technology, to traditional crafts such as Guangxi Zhuang brocade and Hainan coconut carving. Walking through the exhibition, visitors can witness ancient mastery of exquisite craftsmanship brought to life side by side with creative innovations of the digital age.

Companies are demonstrating their latest technologies and products, highlighting the role of skills in industry and everyday life and showcasing how talent is cultivated from the shop floor up. Dedicated hands-on zones invite participants to get directly involved, whether it is practicing traditional crafts, testing skills similar to those used in the competition, trying digital dental restoration, controlling robots, or creating 3D-printed items.

The expo also features international pavilions and global skills partner exhibits, bringing together achievements from around the world and encouraging the shared exploration in skills development.

This year's WorldSkills Competition events will conclude on Sunday.

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo opens to public