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Courses, Education, Education Resources

From deep-sea symbolism to industry sponsorship, Shanghai prepares to host the largest WorldSkills competition yet

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Flag handover ceremony Photo credit: WorldSkills

SHANGHAI, China, 4-Oct-2025 — /EPR EDUCATION NEWS/ — Shanghai has launched the one-year countdown to WorldSkills 2026, which will take place in the city from 22 to 27 September next year, marking the final stretch of preparations for the world’s largest vocational skills competition, according to a press release (in French) published on EuropaWire. The 48th edition will gather young skilled talents from around the globe to compete in 64 contests, including new categories such as rail vehicle technology and intelligent security technology, reflecting the fast-changing needs of modern industries.

The one-year countdown ceremony was held at the Friendship Hall of the Shanghai Exhibition Center and brought together key officials, including Yan Qinghui, vice minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Chen Jie, vice mayor of Shanghai, and Michael Fung, WorldSkills Board member. In a video address, WorldSkills CEO David Hoey praised China’s ambitions for hosting the event and stressed its potential to leave a lasting legacy, from embedding occupational standards in vocational training to inspiring more young people to pursue skilled careers.

To ensure smooth preparations, China’s State Council has established a leadership group and an organizing committee, while Shanghai has created an executive office to oversee operations. Volunteer recruitment is already underway, with participants expected to provide services at airports, competition venues, and hotels. EuropaWire noted that this call extends to people of all ages who will play a vital role in delivering a large-scale international event.

Promotional campaigns have also gained major traction, with Chinese actor Xiao Zhan appointed as promotional ambassador, attracting over 500 million online views, alongside the release of the official video “Skills Venture.” The WorldSkills flag has also featured prominently, making a symbolic deep-sea journey with China’s Jiaolong submersible before being formally presented back to the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Executive Bureau during the ceremony.

Corporate backing is strong, with ICBC, Bank of Communications, SAIC Motor, and BOSS Zhipin named as strategic sponsors. EuropaWire further reported that more than 200 companies worldwide have expressed interest in sponsorship, underlining the broad support from the business community. In addition, ten highly skilled Chinese professionals have been appointed as “Dream Ambassadors” to promote the spirit of craftsmanship and inspire youth under the theme “Master Skills Change Your Future.”

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is expected to be the most diverse and dynamic edition to date. More than 1,400 competitors from over 60 countries and regions will take part, while the event will also feature the WorldSkills Expo, offering career resources, educational activities, and Try-a-Skill experiences. Together, these elements will make Shanghai a global stage for skills, innovation, and collaboration, underlining the crucial role of vocational expertise in shaping the future workforce.

The WorldSkills movement continues to serve as a platform where young people from across the globe can showcase their expertise in more than 60 trades and professions. In France, the journey toward Shanghai will first pass through Marseille, where the 48th National Skills Competition will take place from 16 to 18 October 2025. The winners from this national stage will go on to represent the country at the international level, joining their peers at WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai or at EuroSkills 2027 in Düsseldorf, ensuring that local talent has the opportunity to shine on both the European and global stage.

Education, Learning Disability, School Leaders, Schools, Society, Special Education, Student, Teacher, Teaching

Special education: Wuhan City School for the Blind helped over 500 children pursue their dreams

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Beijing, China, Jul-19-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Wuhan School for The Blind is the only school of its kind in Hubei province, central China. Not only does it cater to pupils who face enormous challenges because of their disabilities, but it is also proud to have a star teacher who has given new hope to the pupils.

China, with its huge population, has a large number of blind people. More than 5.5 million people are registered blind, among them, some 120,000 children. Though there are more than 50 special schools in major cities catering to the needs of these individuals, the task is never easy. Special facilities and teacher training is hard to come by and the children often feel alienated from society and lack ambition.

Zhang Long, born in 1975, volunteered to teach at Wuhan City School for the Blind in 2011. Though she had no experience teaching children with visual impairment, after seeing the difficulties faced by pupils there, she decided to change the course of her life and accept the challenge of making a difference to their future.

It wasn’t long before the gravity of the situation sunk in. As a music teacher she discovered many pupils at the school of 150 lacked the motivation to even turn up to class, believing their only career option would be to become a massage therapist, a common occupation for blind people in China.

Persevering, Zhang Long established a school radio station, a rock band for the most talented children, and invited performances from other schools. Eventually, the children responded to this new approach revealing both passion for music and hidden talent. One student, Gan Wenjun, proved gifted at piano, for which he won several national awards and even played with famous pianist Richard Clayderman in concert.

Among other successes, Zhang Long was awarded titles such as “Most Admirable Teacher in Wuhan” and a national honor “The Most Beautiful Teacher of China”,“I’ve never treated them as blind children,” says Zhang of the pupils. “It doesn’t matter that those kids can’t see. They can use their own ways to express themselves. I’ve never lowered my standards for them because they are blind, because to me they are just children.” Her approach seems to have worked and now pupils harbor ambitions such as to become a teacher, a professional singer and even an astronaut.

Wuhan City School for the Blind holds the belief that blind children are perfectly capable of the same achievements as sighted kids, given the right guidance and a little courage. Since its establishment, it has helped over 500 children pursue their dreams and been a cradle of many rising stars in music, sports, teaching and other fields. It aims to keep making contribution to China’s endeavors in special education.

SOURCE: EuropaWire