The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, began her visit to Shanghai today (September 26), and attended the 48th WorldSkills Competition.

     In the afternoon, Dr Choi visited the competition venue in the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to watch the competitions, and learn about the performance of Hong Kong, China contestants across various skill categories. She also met with the delegation to listen to their sharing on their experiences in the competition.

     She noted that Hong Kong has fielded its largest-ever delegation in this year's competition, with 41 contestants participating in 37 skill competitions, spanning fields such as construction, engineering, information technology, design, services, and catering, fully demonstrating the diverse skills of Hong Kong's younger generation. She commended the contestants for their efforts in preparing for the competition and encouraged them to transform the experience of this international event into a foundation for their future development.
 
     To support the Hong Kong, China delegation in achieving further success at the WorldSkills Competition, the Education Bureau (EDB) has allocated additional resources to the Vocational Training Council to strengthen preparations. These include broadening the scope of selection, arranging training and competitions outside Hong Kong, inviting past medalists to share their experiences, and enhancing publicity and promotion. In addition to helping contestants achieve great success at international competitions, these measures, through various initiatives such as selection, training, experience sharing, and media coverage, also raise public awareness of the professional level and career prospects of skilled talent. This, in return, elevates the social status and international recognition of vocational and professional education and training (VPET), encouraging more young people to consider pursuing a career path in skilled industries.

     Dr Choi subsequently visited the WorldSkills Expo, where she was briefed on the development of VPET and the outcomes of skills training. She also met with the Chief Executive Officer of WorldSkills International, Mr David Hoey, to exchange views on international trends in skills development and participation of the Hong Kong, China delegation in the WorldSkills Competition.

     Dr Choi said that the Government has been promoting VPET at different levels as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education through the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development under a multipronged approach. The EDB works with the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences to enhance the social status and international recognition of VPET, and, aligning with Hong Kong's overall development direction, cultivate more applied talent capable of meeting industry needs.

     She added that the WorldSkills Competition provides an internationally recognised platform for contestants to showcase their solid professional skills and excellent adaptability on the international stage. The EDB will continue to encourage VPET students to participate in events such as the WorldSkills Competition to broaden their horizons and enhance their professional skills and knowledge of industries. 

     The WorldSkills Competition, held biennially by WorldSkills International, is the world's largest skills competition and is hailed as the "Skills Olympics." This edition of competition took place in Shanghai from September 22 to 27, marking the first time China hosted this mega event. The competition has attracted approximately 1 400 contestants from nearly 70 countries and regions to participate. 

     Dr Choi will continue her visit programme in Shanghai tomorrow (September 27).

Ends/Saturday, September 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:13

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