WorldSkills Conference 2026 should be a priority destination for anyone working in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Held in Shanghai from 23 to 25 September, alongside the 48th WorldSkills Competition, this three-day event will inspire excellence, innovation, and connection. It brings TVET leaders together in one room to think more imaginatively and boldly about the future of skills.
Here are seven reasons why you should attend:
1. Join the world’s most important skills gathering
WorldSkills Conference 2026 promises to be a defining moment for the global skills movement. It will take place at the world’s largest exhibition venue, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), welcoming thousands of Competitors and Experts, and hundreds of thousands of visitors. The atmosphere will be unlike any other and delegates will want to be part of the biggest skills gathering on the planet.
2. Bring your voice and your vision
WorldSkills Conference 2026 will lead a global conversation about the importance of TVET, and your voice can only be heard if you are in the room. Whether you attend as a speaker, a panellist, a presenter, or a networking delegate, there will be plenty of opportunities to share your ideas and expertise with the skills community.
3. Grow your network
WorldSkills Conference is unique and valuable because of the extraordinary people it brings together. It is where the skills experts of tomorrow meet the skills leaders of today. Delegates will mix with national Ministers, policymakers, educators, industry innovators, TVET thought leaders, Experts, and young people. Now, with increased time and space for networking, there is a greater chance for conversations in the Conference to become longer-term international collaborations.
4. Learn from new perspectives
The most powerful learning often happens when we are open to change and new ideas. Representatives from more than 90 countries and regions will be arriving in Shanghai ready to bring diverse perspectives to the discussion. WorldSkills Conference will be an inclusive space to table different opinions, rethink current systems, and connect with the global community in a powerful platform for change.
5. Future-proof your workforce
In the face of rapid technological advancements, countries are assessing the impact of AI on skills and the labour market. These issues need urgent prioritization, which is why the Conference sessions will focus on digital learning and the role of AI. For delegates, this is a perfect opportunity to learn about digital innovations that are transforming TVET and access insights on how to keep up with this pace of change.
6. Trade ideas and best practice
The Conference has always been a place to innovate and, this year, the event welcomes new formats to help delegates exchange knowledge. The Skills CoLab is a dynamic marketplace where delegates can showcase their work, share best practice, and even attract potential collaborators and funders. The field trips will also give delegates an informal opportunity to continue Conference discussions while visiting real-world industries.
7. Advance your skills agenda
In an era of accelerating change, the Conference offers unity and stability. It brings people together through a shared belief in skills. It gives them a platform from which they can drive industrial and economic growth. It helps accelerate their own skills transformation. Coming to the Conference is not only a signal of this shared belief, but an opportunity for all nations to advance the solutions that will shape a skills-driven future.
Secure your early-bird ticket for WorldSkills Conference 2026 before 27 March and learn more about the sessions.