From inspired student to gold Medallist and WorldSkills Champions Trust representative

Jingyi Lu, from the city of Kaifeng in China’s Henan province, is the new Champions Trust representative for Asia.

Having always been a strong student throughout primary and middle school, failing her high school entrance exam was a huge disappointment to her parents. In a society which, like so many, associates success with going to university, Jingyi’s prospects now seemed uncertain.

Chemistry was her favourite subject, so she enrolled in the Chemical Analysis and Testing program at Henan Chemical Technician College, a well-known technical college in China.

As part of her extracurricular activities, Jingyi volunteered to support other students training for the WorldSkills China national competition. She was assigned to Jiang Yuhe, another young student aspiring to compete in the skill of Chemical Lab Technology.

“I was so impressed by her knowledge of chemistry, so fascinated by her journey to compete. She became my role model. I was determined to become a Competitor, and I spent every moment I could practicing in the lab,” explains Jingyi.

Yuhe eventually became the gold Medallist in her skill at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, and Jingyi followed in her footsteps. In September 2024, she boarded a plane to France to represent her country at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where she was also crowned the world’s best in her skill.

“My family and friends were so proud! They’re no longer worried about my future, and now they tell my younger siblings and cousins to look up to me,” says Jingyi, who had never travelled beyond her province before. “Lyon has been the highlight of my life—the story I will tell my children and students if I become a teacher one day. I truly believe that skills changed my life.”

Jingyi advocates for skills education as a way to combat youth unemployment and tackle economic inequality, particularly for marginalized groups.

Since returning to college, she has participated in initiatives promoting her skill across various vocational colleges, hoping to inspire more people to invest in skills development and build successful careers. She has also collaborated with local government efforts to raise public awareness of skills training and encourage more people to upskill.

She believes that serving as a Champions Trust representative will give her greater credibility to help more parents recognize that “technical college is also a pathway to a bright future.” She wants skilled workers to take “pride” in their craft, empowering them to “build more fulfilling lives.”

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. With the 48th WorldSkills Competition set to take place in China in 2026, Jingyi will play a crucial role in inspiring her fellow citizens by spreading the message that mastering skills can change the world.”

Until then, Jingyi is eager to explore the world, learn from other cultures, and improve her communication skills so she can inspire others – just as Jiang Yuhe once inspired her.