Skills development should align with industry needs

Editor's note: The 48th WorldSkills Competition opens on Tuesday in Shanghai. The city will also host the WorldSkills Conference 2026 and the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo. Luo Shengqiang, an associate professor at a WorldSkills Competition research center at Shanghai University of Engineering Science, spoke to International Financial News about the highlights of the competition. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will bring together highly skilled contestants from various countries and regions, promising an exciting event. Beyond the competition, a variety of exchange and interactive activities are planned to showcase the skills of the talented participants and help people learn about the skills.

The event will have substantial impact, conveying a clear message about the significance of skills. Skills can help create promising futures and drive sustainable economic and social development. As the message spreads, it will reshape the Chinese and even global perspective on talent development and promote the growth of skilled talent.

This year's event is the largest ever WorldSkills competition, with 64 event categories and around 1,400 contestants. It also features diverse activities, including the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo, which is a platform for WorldSkills member countries and regions, global partners and provinces across China to showcase advancements in vocational education and training.

The competition will use digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance the experience of spectators. Many interactive activities have been tailored for different audience groups.

The rigorous rules of the WorldSkills Competition reflect the demands of industries and enterprises for skilled talent. Technical colleges and training institutions that send contestants are encouraged to integrate these rules into their teaching and training criteria.

Many enterprises, most of which are leaders in various sectors, are also participating in the event. Their involvement not only reduces the costs of the competition but also helps align corporate technical standards with competition standards, ensuring that contestant training meets the needs of industries.

An important legacy of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai is the establishment of systems, methods, practices and ideas for hosting such events. Over the past 10 years, roughly 200 venue managers and a team of highly competent competition managers have been cultivated. With expertise in professional skills, general management and cross-cultural communication, they are a valuable asset for further improving China's capacity to organize vocational skills competitions.

China has a large number of skilled workers, yet faces a structural challenge. On the one hand, emerging industries are facing a shortage of skilled talent. On the other hand, highly skilled people make up a relatively small portion of the total workforce. Vocational skills competitions play an important role in addressing this challenge.

The WorldSkills Competition will attach greater importance to alignment with industries, emphasizing general competencies, real-world problem-solving, and the ability to identify and address issues. This is particularly critical in the AI era, where human creativity and the ability to harness AI tools to improve people's well-being are essential.