The very best students and apprentices are setting out on ‘the road to Shanghai’, in an intrepid bid to do the UK proud on the international stage at the next WorldSkills Competition. Known as the ‘skills olympics’, it will be held in Shanghai from 22-27 September 2026.
WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, has announced that over 80 young people will join its 18-month intensive training programme, with the aim of being selected for the team that will represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai in September 2026.
The WorldSkills competition is considered by global experts as the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs. It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe.
WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the international WorldSkills competition to promote skills excellence across the UK, and by working with education, industry and UK governments it is embedding world class training standards throughout the skills sector. This is helping to meet the demand for a highly skilled workforce in crucial sectors including engineering, digital, manufacturing and construction.
It is the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition. The event will see 1500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 counties to compete in technical skill disciplines from engineering, manufacturing and technology through to creative, digital and hospitality in front of an audience of 250,000.
The UK will be competing in over 30 skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, including 3D Digital Game Art, Robot Systems Integration and Renewable Energy.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are so excited to welcome this fantastic group of young technicians on to our international programme. They will be developing the skills that employers are crying out for which will fuel business growth across our economy. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications said: “Pearson is proud to sponsor Team UK! Boosting the profile and prestige of technical and vocational education is incredibly important to us and I wish this talented group of 86 young people from across the country the best of luck as they begin their training programme towards competing in Shanghai.”
Squad UK quotes
Melody Cheung, Graphic Design, who attends Bridgend College said: “It’s so exciting to be in Squad, it doesn’t feel real yet. I know the experience will boost my career opportunities – it’s such a great thing to put on your CV.”
Finn Gallagher, who has a BTEC in Software Design and attends Cardiff University will compete in Web Design said: “. My university advertised the WorldSkills UK Competitions, and I put my name forward as I knew it would help me stand out when looking for jobs, but I never thought I would make it this far. There is a lot of new things to learn and I’m meeting so many great people. The thought of travelling to China to compete is very exciting and I’m determined to give it my all.”
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.
Notes to Editors
Competitors for Cloud Computing, Logistics & Freight Forwarding and Software Testing will be selected at assessment events held in the coming months. This is because there isn’t an established WorldSkills UK national competition in these skills, all are currently demo skills.
All Squad UK members have previously taken part in WorldSkills UK national competitions. WorldSkills UK has worked with CITB to select competitors for the following skills: bricklaying, cabinet making, joinery and painting and decorating. The competitors all previously competed in SkillBuild, CITB’s national competition programme.
