WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Concludes as Young People Compete Across 64 Skills
Engineering / Technology / Skilled Trades / Vocational Education
The 48th WorldSkills Competition concludes in Shanghai today after four days of competition from 23–26 September 2026.
At tonight’s Closing Ceremony, medallists across 64 skill competitions will be recognised, before the WorldSkills flag is handed over to Japan, host of WorldSkills Aichi 2028. More than 10,000 spectators are expected at the ceremony, which will also be livestreamed worldwide.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 covers an unusually broad range of practical and technical fields, including engineering and manufacturing, robotics, ICT, cloud computing, construction, design, hospitality and other skilled professions.
For students, WorldSkills represents a very different competitive pathway from academic Olympiads such as the IMO or IOI. Apprenticeships, technical education and vocational skills can also lead from national competitions to selection for one of the world’s largest international youth skills events.
Ireland: WorldSkills Ireland
Students in Ireland can follow WorldSkills Ireland, which combines national skills competitions with opportunities to explore apprenticeships, further education and technical careers.
At WorldSkills Ireland 2026, held at the RDS in Dublin from 16–18 September, students and visitors could watch 31 live National Competition Finals, explore different skill areas and meet education providers and employers.
Ireland is also a member of WorldSkills International. 16 Irish competitors competed across 15 skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
United Kingdom: WorldSkills UK
In the UK, WorldSkills UK runs national skills competitions across more than 40 skill areas.
Students and apprentices progress through entry stages and national qualifiers before the WorldSkills UK National Finals. Eligible high-performing competitors may then be considered for Squad UK, beginning the selection and training pathway towards international WorldSkills competitions such as WorldSkills Aichi 2028.
United States: SkillsUSA and WorldSkills USA
In the United States, SkillsUSA is the official U.S. representative to WorldSkills International.
SkillsUSA runs competitions from local and state levels through to the national SkillsUSA Championships. The championships bring together thousands of state champions competing across skilled-trade and leadership disciplines, while selected competitors can progress to represent WorldSkills USA internationally.
The 2026 WorldSkills USA team competing in Shanghai includes nine competitors across eight technical fields.
A Different Kind of Competition Pathway
WorldSkills is particularly worth exploring for students interested in robotics, engineering, manufacturing, construction, automotive technology, ICT, hospitality and other practical or technical fields.
Younger students can begin by watching national competitions, exploring different skills and learning about apprenticeship and technical-education routes. Students who later want to compete should check the specific eligibility and selection requirements for their chosen skill in their own country.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: Closing Ceremony and livestream
WorldSkills Ireland: Official website
WorldSkills UK: National Skills Competitions
WorldSkills USA: SkillsUSA — WorldSkills Competition
CompeteMap: Explore student competitions