WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 begins

Last night, 1,400 Competitors walked into the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center to resounding cheers and a sea of flags, full of pride to be representing their countries and regions. Today, at 9.00 a.m., these young people began their test projects. As they got underway, the words of Leyla Valiyeva, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Middle East & North Africa, still echoed from the night before.

In her speech during the Opening Ceremony she said, “What you learn on your journey, how to prepare, how to hold steady under pressure, how to rise after you fall, that is what stays with you. Every new mountain you face, you will approach the same way you conquered this one – confidence in yourself and bravery in your step. We are proof that when you find your skilled path, it leads to purpose.”

The atmosphere in the NECC halls was electric, as the countdown clocks started and work in all 64 skill competition workshops began.

Seven new skills debut this week: Dental Prosthetics, Digital Media Interactive Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Rail Vehicle Technology, Retail Sales, Software Testing, and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

On the sidelines, supporters, friends, and family shared words of encouragement as each Competitor put months and years of hard work into action. Members of the WorldSkills Champions Trust were also out on the Competition floor, taking in the atmosphere and reporting back for WorldSkills.

Dario Walcott, Technical Delegate for WorldSkills Barbados, shared his admiration for his team and his amazement at the scale of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. He said, “This enormous exhibition of excellence is second to none. I know how hard my team has worked to get to this point. It has not been easy, and they have dedicated a lot of hours, weeks, and months to their training. To see them now at work in this incredible space, and in front of so many people and journalists, fills me with pride beyond words.”

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, was blown away by the passion that he saw across the NECC. He said, “Our Competitors may be going head-to-head with their peers from around the world, but there was a great sense of unity in the NECC today. Everyone here wants to do their best and rise to the top, yet they also all believe in the power of skills to create a more secure and sustainable world. Individually, these young people are impressive, together they are unstoppable!”

Day one is in full swing and three more intense and productive days lie ahead. Live coverage continues throughout the week on WorldSkills YouTube and social channels.