WorldSkills Conference 2026

Shaping the Future of Skills in Shanghai

Mark your calendars for WorldSkills Conference 2026. Taking place alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the global stage for skills, the Conference will bring together policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, educators and young people to shape the future of skills development worldwide. The Competition will take place from September 22 through 27, 2026, with the exact days for the Conference programme announced in the coming months.

The 2026 edition will explore the interconnected nature of global challenges and the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in addressing them. From the transition to green economies, skills mobility and social justice to digitalization, the impact of AI and excellence in TVET, the conference will tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. The Conference will also examine the role of WorldSkills Competitions, sharing knowledge and expertise on how they can enhance skills benchmarking and contribute to the impact and growth of WorldSkills Members worldwide.

“WorldSkills Conference is unique because it takes place alongside the global stage for skills. So, it’s not just talking about excellence in skills, but about seeing it in action,” says David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International. “Our ambition for 2026 is to bring the international skills community together again in Shanghai to find new perspectives and pathways to continue driving the global skills agenda forward and contributing to the achievements of the SDGs.”

WorldSkills Conference 2026 will continue to inspire bold thinking and international cooperation, bringing TVET leaders together to explore how skills can drive sustainable solutions across industries and economies.

(Source: WorldSkills)