WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 builds anticipation with progress reports and venue tours

Preparations for the 48th WorldSkills Competition are gathering pace. Over the last few weeks, WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 has provided a series of exciting updates to the WorldSkills community on its rapid progress.

At WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 in October, representatives from China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), WorldSkills China, and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Organizing Committee shared news about the events and activities taking place in China between 22–27 September 2026.

The team confirmed that the National Exhibition and Convention (NECC) will host all 64 skill competitions and will welcome an anticipated 1,400 WorldSkills Competitors from over 60 countries and regions.

Members and Global Partners were given a preview of the highly anticipated WorldSkills Conference 2026, which will explore how to shape a skills-driven future. The programme will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, and knowledge-sharing side meetings, as well as guided tours of the Competition and field trips into industry and TVET schools.

The Organizing Committee also revealed plans for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo, a dynamic and immersive experience that sits alongside the Competition and Conference. The event will give visitors a chance to try their hand at different skills, explore careers and industries, and learn how skills are critical to sustainable human development.

Members and Partners received detailed accreditation packages, were given highlights of planned excursions, and were shown the marketing and promotional plans for the event.

Deputy Director for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, Tan Youlin, celebrated the progress saying, “For more than a year, responding to President Xi Jinping’s call to deliver an innovative and far-reaching WorldSkills Competition, we have been advancing every aspect of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 in a solid, phased and transparent manner.”

Then, last week, on 5 November, WorldSkills International was invited to tour the China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held at the NECC. The visit gave the team valuable insights into the operations of one of the world’s largest exhibition venues.

The eighth edition of the CIIE hosted 4,108 international exhibitors from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations across more than 430,000 square metres of exhibition space, making it the largest in the event’s history.

The WorldSkills delegation took in-depth tours on key operational areas, including transportation, accreditation, wayfinding, venue design, look and feel, visitor experience, health and safety, food and beverage services, IT infrastructure, and media operations.

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, said, “Seeing the impressive facilities of the NECC in full operation has been invaluable for our team, allowing us to observe a large-scale event in action. The CIIE is such an impressive event, showcasing cutting-edge innovations and products to the world. It is now our turn to transform the NECC into the global stage for skills.”

Read more about WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.