Organizers, sponsors gear up for Worldskills Shanghai 2022

Organizers and stakeholders of Worldskills Shanghai 2022, a world championship for vocational skills, have stepped up preparations for the event in the past four days, as the preparation week came to a close on Friday.

This is the first time that China is hosting the event — held every two years across the world — in Shanghai from Oct 12 to 17.

Themed on "Master skills, Change the world", the competition will engage vocational skill professionals below 22 years of age from around the world in 63 skill competitions. 

The competition aims to promote exchange between young professionals and show that skills are the driving force behind human civilization's progress.

Each contestant is allowed to participate in the game only once in a lifetime.

In the past four days,organizers and key stakeholders shared insights on core issues such as technical standards for each skill competition and supporting facilities. Collaborations were finalized on Friday between organizers and major sponsors of the competition, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Eastern Airlines and the Japan-based painting and coatings manufacturer Nippon Paint China.

According to the organizers, 63 workshops are being designed at 11 exhibition halls spread across 300,000 square meters at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in Qingpu district.

"Technology including big data, artificial intelligence and recyclable technologies will be utilized to foster the operation efficiency of the competition," said Peng Chenlei, vice mayor of Shanghai, at the closing ceremony.

A WorldSkills Museum is under construction in Yangpu district. The center for exhibitions, international cooperation and education in vocational skills is expected to open to the public during the competition in October. The museum will feature international exhibits on vocational skills.

"The competition serves as a platform to enhance communication among governments, vocational colleges and enterprises," said Cai Zhiwei, president of Nippon Brand Public Relations Center.

"The coating industry has developed rapidly in China. High quality specialists armed with the right techniques and innovation capability are urgently needed to promote industrial upgrading and sustainable development," Cai said.

The company established a talent development center in China in 2009, cultivating workers through 10 major courses including tile laying, wall painting and sales. It has 16 sub-centers across the nation, training more than 300,000 people.

"We'll support the painting and decoration skill competitions in Worldskills Shanghai 2022 and hope to expand our talent pool through the opportunity," he said.