Shanghai gears up for WorldSkills event

Shanghai has entered the final phase of preparations to host the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled for Sept 22-27, following the conclusion of the event's preparation week.

The four-day gathering focused on technical standards, venue construction and cultural exchange, laying the groundwork for what organizers have described as a "novel and influential" competition.

The preparation week brought together 887 participants from 68 countries and regions, including technical experts, administrative officials, sponsors and representatives from WorldSkills International.

According to the event's executive bureau, experts reviewed more than 12,000 infrastructure-related details across 64 skill competitions. Through 320 technical workshops, participants finalized specifications covering equipment interfaces, network requirements and staffing support.

Comprehensive inspections of competition venues, functional zones and traffic flow arrangements were carried out. Chinese and international teams also exchanged views on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

"The momentum has grown tremendously over the last 12 months," said Mark Callaghan, director of event operations at WorldSkills International. "We have every confidence that Shanghai will deliver a tremendous experience."

Callaghan added that China's hosting of the event reflects its commitment to addressing global labor market challenges and inspiring young people to pursue skilled professions.

One key initiative unveiled during the preparation week was the "one school one member" program, which pairs 62 educational institutions across the Yangtze River Delta with international teams.

The program is designed to promote cultural exchange and skills demonstrations between visiting competitors and local students. Each international delegation will visit its paired school, while representatives from the schools will attend the competition.

"Inviting world champions into our classrooms allows students to engage with top-tier talent," said Zhao Hongsheng, vice-principal of Shanghai Information Management School. "It goes beyond theory, showing students how professional dedication and a global perspective can shape their future careers."

The week also included a tour and promotional event at the World-Skills Museum, the world's first museum dedicated to vocational skills. The museum opened in Shanghai in 2023.

The museum highlighted Shanghai's urban appeal through six interactive exhibitions and introduced 12 themed tourism routes designed for the competition period.

Pan Yu, deputy director of the WorldSkills Museum, said the museum will further integrate with the competition. "We will incorporate specific event elements into our exhibitions, allowing international visitors to appreciate the cultural value inherent in traditional Chinese craftsmanship," Pan said.

The traditional concept of "learning one skill for a lifetime" is being replaced by a culture of lifelong learning, David Hoey, CEO of World-Skills International, said in a previous interview with Jiefang Daily.

"The dictionary is the only place where 'success' comes before 'work',"Hoey said, noting that modern skills increasingly include soft skills such as entrepreneurship, communication and sustainability. He also challenged the perception that vocational education is a second choice for students.

"A world without skills would return to the Stone Age," Hoey said, praising China's vocational education system. "I believe Shanghai will take this competition to new heights."