worldSkills Conference 2026
Shaping a skills-driven future
23 to 25 September 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC)
Shanghai, China
Uniting the global skills movement
The WorldSkills Conference 2026 was the premier global platform where leaders, experts, and young people came together to shape the future of skills. Held alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the Conference united diverse voices to accelerate innovation, equity, and excellence in skills development worldwide. This was not only a gathering but a call to action — empowering policymakers, industry, and education to share best practices and deliver skills solutions in a rapidly changing world and shape the United Nations post-2030 agenda.
worldSkills Conference 2026
Shaping a skills-driven future
23 September
Day 1 of WorldSkills Conference 2026 explored how to strengthen and scale skills systems for the future – from building human-centred, sustainable TVET ecosystems to driving international cooperation for skills recognition and mobility.
24 September
This day’s programme explored how technology and collaboration are reshaping the future of skills. Sessions explored AI’s real impact on tomorrow’s workforce, practical tools for embracing digital innovation in TVET, and new approaches to transforming teaching and training in the digital age.
25 September
A third day was added to the Conference programme, focusing on the future of the Global TVET agenda and the role individual countries play in advancing a skills-driven future.
News
Building on worldSkills Conference 2024
Skills CoLab
A new initiative premiered at WorldSkills Conference 2026, designed to foster international cooperation and knowledge sharing in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Skills CoLab was an interactive marketplace where selected skills initiatives presented their projects during focused 30-minute consultations with potential partners, funders, collaborators, and peers who wanted to learn from their experience.
Photos
Browse official photos from the Conference and Competition in our Flickr collection. Images are free for non-commercial use under the terms of our photo usage policy.
