Seven new skills confirmed for WorldSkills Competition 2026

From advanced health services and creative design to smart technologies and sustainable transport, seven new skills will debut on the global stage for skills next year in Shanghai. These occupations highlight the breadth of opportunities available to young professionals around the world.

Industries evolve, and so does WorldSkills. Prior to every WorldSkills Competition, WorldSkills International carries out a full review of its skills portfolio to align with emerging needs and ensure it stays relevant. It is a collaborative exercise, where Members and Global Partners can propose new skills, while existing ones are also assessed.

Proposals are then considered by an advisory group, which recommends which skills should be added or removed. Their conclusions are then shared with Members before a stage called Provisional Registration confirming whether there is enough participation in each skill.

Through this collaborative review, the Official Skills for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 have been confirmed: 63 skills met the minimum participation requirements. Logistics and Freight Forwarding, which did not meet the minimum registration, will nonetheless be held for the last time at the Competition by agreement with the Competition Organizer.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will feature 64 skill competitions, including the seven new additions:

• Dental Prosthetics
• Digital Media Interactive Design
• Intelligent Security Technology
• Rail Vehicle Technology
• Retail Sales
• Software Testing
• Unmanned Aerial Systems

This review process ensures that WorldSkills Competitions remain agile and responsive to the fast-changing world of work, helping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems across the world to build excellence.

Find out more about all our official skills, including full descriptions.