SwissSkills National Team to Compete at WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai

The big moment is here

For months, they’ve been training, fine-tuning the details, and working toward this moment. Now the time has come: On Tuesday evening Shanghai time (2 p.m. Swiss time), WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will officially open with the Opening Ceremony. One day later, the competitions will begin for the 42 Swiss competitors. Switzerland will compete in 38 of the 64 skills. Around 1,400 young professionals from 68 countries and regions will compete in Shanghai against the world’s best in their respective fields.

The SwissSkills National Team is traveling to China with high hopes. The focus for these talented young people is on achieving their personal best, demonstrating their skills under the pressure of international competition, and surpassing their own limits. Switzerland has traditionally been one of the most successful nations at international vocational skills competitions.

Svenja and Luca are leading the Swiss team

Florist Svenja Simmerle from Schmerikon, St. Gallen, and carpenter Luca Wissler from Oey, Bern, will receive a special honor at the opening ceremony: Their team has chosen them to be the flag bearer and bell bearer. In these roles, they will lead the SwissSkills National Team into the arena. For the 42 talented professionals, the procession marks the start of four intense days of competition.

The team is also receiving support from official Swiss sources: State Secretary Martina Hirayama and a delegation from the Swiss Embassy in China will be on site to cheer on the young professionals. Their presence underscores the importance of vocational training and the appreciation for the achievements of these young professionals.

Four days of competition on the world stage of vocational training

The competitions begin on Wednesday. For four days, the Swiss competitors will go head-to-head with the best young professionals in their respective fields. The tasks require not only the highest level of technical precision, but also concentration, resilience, and the ability to find solutions and perform under time pressure.

WorldSkills also serves as a showcase for Swiss vocational education and training. The skills the competitors demonstrate in Shanghai aren’t just what they’ve learned in training for WorldSkills. The integration of theory and practice has been a core part of their vocational training from the very beginning. Training companies give young people responsibility and enable them to further develop their skills in their day-to-day work. Vocational schools, professional associations, and experts complement this collaborative effort. In Shanghai, we see the results of this approach: exceptionally well-trained young professionals who have a wide range of opportunities open to them after completing their apprenticeships.

Source: https://www.swiss-skills.ch