Promotion Video: WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

In November 1950, a handful of young apprentices from Spain and Portugal gathered in Madrid for what is widely recognized as the first WorldSkills Competition.

Back then, the competition featured just six skill categories: fitting, wood pattern making, turning, electrical winding, milling, and cabinetmaking.

In September 2026, Shanghai will host the 48th WorldSkills Competition, with over 1,400 young people from more than 60 countries and regions competing across 64 skill competitions. This edition will also introduce seven new categories: Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Rail Vehicle Technology, Retail Sales, Software Testing, and Unmanned Aerial Systems.