Competitors ready to polish their skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will help competitors further polish skills through interaction with people from other countries and regions while providing a new understanding of industry techniques and standards, competitors taking part in an off-site cultural exchange activity held on Tuesday said.

The activity was held at the Shanghai Caoyang Vocational School to provide a better understanding of Chinese traditional culture to the French team of this year's competition.

Rayan Bouyaiche, a competitor in cybersecurity skills with the French team, said that mastering a skill can provide a goal and "a direction in life".

Bouyaiche said he started to learn cybersecurity in high school. To attend this year's competition, he has gone through a regional qualification, another one at the national level and another selection with the top three competitors.

Admitting that artificial intelligence will bring significant changes to cybersecurity, Bouyaiche pointed out that human beings can work faster and accomplish more tasks. At the WorldSkills Shanghai, there are already discussions about including AI in jobs, using the emerging technology to help people go farther and achieve new things, he said.

Arthur Baudry, also from the French team, will compete in the skill of heavy vehicle technology, including repairing machines like excavators and wheel loaders, finding faults and repairing the engine. With about one year's preparation, he has trained in different companies to gain more hands-on experience.

Manon Pouivet said she will compete in the skill of fashion technology by making three garments. Her proficiency in sketching and draping will also be tested for the competition.

Calling the WorldSkills Competition "a big opportunity", Pouivet said the experience will help to shape her future career and allow her to visit China for the very first time.

Rachel Crawford, a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative, also attended the Tuesday activity. She competed in bakery in the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Switzerland.

The experience not only helped her professionally but also improved her confidence by speaking in front of many people at various events.

"Skills are what keep the world running. The more young people that enter the skilled sector and approach their day-to-day life with passion, the more fulfilled and happier they will be," she said.

Also present at the Tuesday event was Leyla Valiyeva, a representative of this year's WorldSkills Champions Trust. She was a competitor for Azerbaijan in the skill of cooking for the special edition in Switzerland four years ago.

The WorldSkills Competition has played a big role in her current career, helping her to view skills and standards in the industry with a different perspective. She can also bring back the skills to her home country to benefit more young people.

"Any person actually should be skilled at one thing at least. Whatever your profession is, I do strongly advise everybody to have a skill that they can do with their hands because it is very beneficial for their mental health as well," she said.

A total of 11 young people make up the current cohort of WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives. They also fulfill the role of Dream Ambassadors for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. With this honorary title, they are travelling throughout Shanghai, speaking at key events, meeting young students, and advocating for skills development and excellence.