9 September 2026
First view of the medals for the 48th WorldSkills Competition
The WorldSkills medal is a symbol of determination and mastery in the Competition arena, and a cherished reminder of the value of skills excellence for the future.
The medals for the 48th WorldSkills Competition have now been officially unveiled, and they are both aesthetically stunning and powerful symbols of why our world needs skilled young people. The medals have been designed by Zhu Xihua, a Shanghai craftsman and senior arts and crafts master, and manufactured by Shanghai Mint Company so they are steeped in Chinese heritage and skill. The design brings together an innovative shape and concept with masterful craft.
Each medal uses the striking shape of the mortise and tenon joint, which is at the heart of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026’s visual identity. The form represents the precision of craft, the strength of skills as the foundation of our world, and the unity of the skills community.
On the reverse, the lintel of Shanghai’s iconic Shikumen architecture sits alongside the silhouette of the modern city skyline. As the Shikumen gateway gradually opens, it conveys the ideas of preserving tradition while at the same time embracing modern techniques and technologies, embodying Shanghai’s character as an open, innovative, and inclusive city.
This fusion of old and new is also at the heart of how the medals have themselves been crafted. Each medal is made with brass as its base material, a metal that has been used for over two thousand years. They have then been finished using multi-colour electroplating, an advanced manufacturing process which creates a rich interplay of glossy and matte finishes and ensures this important memento has long-lasting durability and does not fade or alter.
Five medals have been designed especially for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. They are gold, silver, and bronze medals, the Best of Nation Award, and the Medallion for Excellence. These unique medals will be awarded to the successful young Competitors at the Closing Ceremony of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, which takes place on 27 September at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center.
Liu Hongpeng, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Mint Company, explains the thinking behind this memorable design saying, “We broke away from the conventional flat, circular medal design by adopting the traditional Chinese mortise and tenon structure as the core visual element. It creates a distinct irregular hexagonal shape that is unique to this Competition. WorldSkills has spoken highly of the design, noting that it perfectly integrates traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.”