On March 13, 2026, the kick-off meeting for the Chinese national training team for the Welding event of the 48th WorldSkills Competition was held at the Central Research Institute of Building and Construction Co., Ltd., MCC in Beijing, marking the official sprint phase of China's preparation for the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Ten national team competitors from Sichuan, Chongqing, Henan, Shanghai and other regions gathered together with expert coaches, representatives from training bases, and authorities from relevant supervisory departments to discuss training strategies.

Facing Challenges of Rule Changes and Strengthening Mental Toughness Training

Liu Jingfeng, Vice President of the China Engineering Construction Welding Association and Head of the Chinese Technical Guidance Expert Group for the Welding event of the 48th WorldSkills Competition, introduced the framework plan for the training program and made meticulous arrangements for the training work. She pointed out that this edition of the competition presents multiple challenges, including increased difficulty, rule changes, and updates to equipment and materials. Moreover, the training contestants generally lack hands-on experience in international competitions. To address these challenges, this training program will closely follow the competition changes, focus on simulation training based on real-world conditions, target technical weaknesses, and comprehensively enhance the contestants' competitive level and on-the-spot adaptability.

Complementary Advantages and Full Coordination Across Six Training Bases

This training program is led by the Central Research Institute of Building and Construction Co., Ltd., MCC, in collaboration with five other institutions: Shougang Technician College, Jiangnan Shipyard Group Vocational Technical School, Weihai Wendeng Technician College, Gansu Metallurgical Technician College, and China Nineteenth Metallurgical Group Co., Ltd. All of these bases served as training bases for the 46th and 47th WorldSkills Competitions. They will fully leverage past experience to form a preparation structure featuring resource sharing, complementary advantages, and a comprehensive support system.

Gathering of Elite Competitors and Inheritance of Craftsmanship Spirit

Although all ten competitors are entering the Chinese national training team for the first time, they demonstrated solid foundational skills and strong professional ethics during the selection process. Wu Zongshan, a competitor representative, stated: "We will carry forward the spirit of enduring hardship and fighting tenaciously, pursue excellence in every detail, and strive to win honors for our country."

The expert coaching team is led by Liu Jingfeng, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Engineering Construction Welding Association, as the head of the expert group. The coaches assembled for the training include Zhou Shuchun, recipient of the China Skill Master Award, Zhao Pubo, gold medalist at the 45th WorldSkills Competition, other former members of technical guidance expert groups, as well as instructors from various technical schools. Wei Longjie, a teacher from Zhengzhou Technician College, spoke on behalf of the expert coaches, stating that they will conduct targeted training to address technical weaknesses, strengthen the contestants' mental toughness training and international communication skills, and ensure that the contestants achieve comprehensive improvements in technology, psychology, and physical fitness, striving to live up to expectations and win honors for the country on the international stage.

China Minmetals Corporation, MCC, the China Engineering Construction Welding Association, as well as the Sichuan Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security and its assessment center, along with other training base authorities, place great emphasis on this preparation effort. They are providing comprehensive support in terms of funding, equipment, materials, and logistical services to create a first-class preparation environment. During the meeting, several leaders and guests emphasized that the WorldSkills Competition is not only an arena for skill exchange but also an important window to showcase national manufacturing prowess and promote the spirit of craftsmanship.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held for the first time in Shanghai, China, in September 2026. At present, the Chinese national training team for the Welding event of the 48th WorldSkills Competition has fully entered its competition-ready phase. All members of the Chinese welding team will devote themselves to the preparation journey with an attitude of continuous improvement and a scientific, rigorous work style, writing a brilliant chapter of "Made in China" with their masterful welding sparks.