18 December 2025

Registration is open for WorldSkills Conference 2026: Shaping a Skills-Driven Future

Join leaders, policymakers, and change agents at this not-to-be-missed event that puts skills at the centre of a sustainable, secure, and inclusive future.

Registration is now open for WorldSkills Conference 2026, taking place from 23 to 25 September 2026 in Shanghai, China, alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Decision-makers and practitioners across local, regional, national, and international levels are invited to attend the world’s leading forum for skills development.

Early-bird tickets are now available at a special rate of RMB 2,390 (approximately EUR 290), valid until 27 March 2026. Participants can also choose from a suite of WorldSkills Conference 2026 packages, which offer a seamless experience during WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and include airport and daily transfers as well as a choice of hotels and flexible dates.

Under the title “Shaping a Skills-Driven Future”, the Conference will bring together voices from across the skills community. Government officials, policymakers, 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.

Discussions throughout the Conference will address the most pressing priorities for global skills systems: the transformative impact of AI and technology on education and training, inclusion and equity in access to skills, and the role of international collaborations shaping the post-2030 agenda.

Innovations for WorldSkills Conference 2026 include the addition of a third day and an expanded agenda with new interactive session formats. The three-day programme will blend plenaries and panel discussions with hands-on best-practice workshops, industry and TVET field trips, and tours of the 48th WorldSkills Competition.

The Conference will conclude with a private reception and guided tour of the WorldSkills Museum, bringing together Conference delegates, WorldSkills Members, Global Partners, and Event Sponsors for an exclusive networking opportunity.

WorldSkills Conference 2026 will be hosted at one of the world’s largest exhibition venues, the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC). The scale of this venue and the ambition of the event reflect China’s continued investment in skills development and the vital role skills play in economic growth and social inclusion.

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, urges the skills community to secure their place and be part of these important conversations. He says, “The need for high-quality skills systems is something we all share and WorldSkills Conference 2026 is the premier platform to access the very latest thinking and best practice in TVET.”

He emphasizes, “Whether you’re shaping policy, designing training systems, supporting learners, or preparing for the future of work, WorldSkills Conference 2026 should be a must-attend event for you next year. Join us there and help us create inclusive and sustainable systems that benefit everyone.”