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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, Schools, Science, Society, Student, Training

Npower Events ‘Enthuse’ A Local School

Npower volunteers have returned Greendown Community School, one of the first schools selected to pilot npower’s ‘enthuse’ programme in 2007, the third consecutive year the event has taken place at the school.

During the recent two day educational experience over 260 Year 9 students participated in a range of 

interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives. South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove also visited the school to find out more about the programme.

Enthuse, which is part of npower’s Brighter Futures Programme, is a five year scheme designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The students were encouraged to think of ways to improve existing products or design a completely new concept, before considering the very real problem of how we can meet and reduce the UK’s future demand for energy. These activities were followed by a ‘facts and fiction’ session where the students were given the opportunity to meet with engineering staff f r o m npower’s Swindon offices. Throughout the day, the students took part in a series of hands-on activities relating to the power industry.

The day ended when the school’s Director of Specialism, Gill Sarjent was presented with an award, which recognised the continued support and efforts of the school towards the highly successful enthuse programme.

Gill Sarjent said: “The school is very proud to be involved with the ‘enthuse’ programme since day one and continued participation during the last few years. The students have been given an excellent insight into what it would feel like to be an engineer. Also, the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with staff f r o m npower helps bring the activities to life and gives the students a great introduction into the world of work.”

Anne Snelgrove MP commented: “It was fantastic to see the students having such a good time while they were learning. This scheme brings science and technology to life and makes it real.”

Connor Wood, a year 9 student, added: “I think the whole day was good as I liked learning about different careers and I really liked all the “hands on” activities. My favourite workshop was ‘Bright Ideas’ as I liked designing a new product, which was completely different. I think we should run this event every day for year 9 students!”

In 2008 alone, npower ‘enthuse’ days reached out to over 3400 students across the UK.

To find out more about npower’s education programme and free resources for schools and community groups, visit www.npower.com/education.

 

About npower:
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers and draws on 50 years experience in supplying electricity and gas. npower offers a range of essential home and business services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark f r o m Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

The aim of the npower Brighter Futures programme is to inspire young people f r o m their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a ‘brighter future’ for themselves and for the environment. npower Brighter Futures also includes our apprenticeship and graduate recruitment schemes.

Via EPR Network
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