2025: Celebrating the past, shaping the future

75 years as the global stage for skills

Throughout 2025, WorldSkills proudly marked its 75th anniversary. What began as a modest competition in Spain in 1950 has transformed into a global movement that empowers young people and drives skills innovation. The celebrations began with the launch of the Global Stage for Skills campaign which shone a spotlight on the strength of WorldSkills.

Delegates at WorldSkills General Assembly Dubrovnik 2025 were treated to the premiere of the 75th anniversary video, which traced WorldSkills history across decades and continents. WorldSkills also unveiled WorldSkills Archive, a digital platform documenting the organization’s evolution from 1950 to the present.

Celebrations culminated in Portugal in November with a special competition hosted by WorldSkills Portugal. WorldSkills Commemorative Edition 1950–2025 honoured the origins of the WorldSkills movement and the pioneering spirit that has driven it forward.

Setting the stage for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

As WorldSkills remembered the past, it also prepared for the future. Plans for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 gathered pace, sparking excitement across China and the wider WorldSkills community. In July, global superstar Xiao Zhan was named an official ambassador.

WorldSkills International announced seven new skill competitions. Dental Prosthetics, Digital Media Interactive Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Rail Vehicle Technology, Retail Sales, Software Testing, and Unmanned Aerial Systems will all be part of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Be sure to make plans to join us at WorldSkills Conference 2026. The global forum will be held over three days alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, under the title “Shaping a Skills-Driven Future”. Government officials, policy makers, business and industry leaders, educators, youth organizations, and skills advocates will gather on the global stage to share best practices and deliver skills solutions in a rapidly changing world.

Shining a spotlight on new partnerships

Continuing its long-standing partnership, Samsung was confirmed as the Official Event Presenter for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. It will be the seventh consecutive time Samsung has taken on this significant role.

After 34 years of partnership, Festo became a Global Premium Partner. Neusoft and Pearson also joined Samsung and Stanley Black & Decker as Global Premium Partners.

The WorldSkills community also welcomed three new Global Industry Partners: Zhonghui Group, LIXIL, and FXB.

At the WorldSkills General Assembly 2025, a Joint Declaration was signed by WorldSkills and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), committing to a shared agenda for inclusive and sustainable skills development.

Empowering young talent to take centre stage

At the heart of WorldSkills are its young people whose talent and passion inspire the movement forward. Throughout the year, the WorldSkills Champions Trust spoke at important global events, including the Cedefop-OECD policy dialogue, the Global TVET Forum in Berlin, the UNIDO Global Industry Summit, and 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day.

Entrepreneurial talent was also recognized at BeChangeMaker 2025. The ninth year of our entrepreneurial competition ran from May to October and recognized young innovators who are using their skills to solve pressing global challenges.

Inspiring new audiences through our regions

It was a successful year for WorldSkills regional organizations too. WorldSkills Africa shared the impact of its pioneering WorldSkills Africa Capacity Building Programme, which created a new competition-based Assessment Framework for the continent.

Four major regional competitions also energized local and international communities. WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 and EuroSkills Herning 2025 both took place in September, followed by WorldSkills Americas Santiago 2025 and WorldSkills Asia Taipei 2025 in November. Each event showcased exceptional talent and emphasized the role of regional collaboration in developing global skills.

Shaping a new stage for skills for the next decade

This year also saw WorldSkills launch an open, inclusive process to define its vision for the decade ahead. Throughout the year, Vision 2035 consultations took place online and in-person in Vienna and Hong Kong, engaging stakeholders from across the movement.

As we turn now toward 2026, the momentum of the 75th anniversary year carries WorldSkills forward with a refreshed purpose. The next global gathering at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will not only celebrate the excellence of the world’s best young professionals but also set the ambitions of WorldSkills Vision 2035 in motion.