WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 names second group of Dream Ambassadors

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 has named six new Dream Ambassadors to promote vocational skills and inspire young people ahead of the 2026 competition in Shanghai. The group includes top technicians and WorldSkills medalists in aerospace assembly, software, floral art, hospitality and food service.

Why it matters: - WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is using high-profile technicians and medalists to push vocational excellence as China needs more skilled workers for digital industry, high-end manufacturing and modern services. - The campaign is meant to make skills-based careers look more visible and more aspirational for younger people. - The Dream Ambassadors are positioned as public examples of how technical training can lead to national recognition and international competition success.

What happened: - On July 15, WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Executive Bureau named six people as the second group of Dream Ambassadors. - The new ambassadors are Wang Shuqun, Liu Xinru, Cao Jiahao, Zhu Lixuan, Yang Lingzhi and Wu Jiani. - The announcement was tied to World Youth Skills Day. - The six honorees are national master craftsmen or WorldSkills competitors. - The group spans aerospace assembly, software development, floral art, pastry and confectionery, hotel reception and food service. - The selection follows the first 10 Dream Ambassadors unveiled last September at the one-year countdown event.

The details: - Wang Shuqun is an aerospace technician and leads the team assembling docking mechanisms for crewed space missions at Plant 149 of the 8th Academy at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. - Wang Shuqun spent 16 years working and researching docking technology. - Wang Shuqun helped China achieve its first "space kiss" in 2011, when Shenzhou-8 docked with the Tiangong-1 space laboratory. - Wang Shuqun has received the Chinese Skills Award and the Second-Class National Scientific and Technological Progress Award. - Liu Xinru teaches at Suzhou Wuzhong Technician College. - Liu Xinru won China’s first gold medal in Pastry and Confectionery at the 47th WorldSkills competition. - Liu Xinru was invited to the State Council Information Office of China to share a story of success through skills. - Liu Xinru also appeared on CCTV’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala. - Cao Jiahao teaches at Suzhou Technician College. - Cao Jiahao won gold in Software Applications Development at the 47th WorldSkills competition. - Cao Jiahao gave China its first-ever gold in that category. - Zhu Lixuan teaches at Shanghai Information Management School. - Zhu Lixuan earned an Excellence Medal in Hotel Reception at the 47th WorldSkills competition. - Zhu Lixuan posted the highest score in East Asia and won China’s first medal in that category. - Zhu Lixuan also traveled to border areas of Yunnan province to provide vocational training. - Yang Lingzhi teaches at Shanghai Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry. - Yang Lingzhi comes from the mountainous areas of Guizhou province. - Yang Lingzhi earned an Excellence Medal in Floral Art at the 2022 WorldSkills special edition. - Wu Jiani is a China Eastern Airlines cabin manager and runs a workshop focused on training highly skilled professionals. - Wu Jiani earned an Excellence Medal in Food and Beverage Service at the 45th WorldSkills competition. - Wu Jiani achieved the best result ever by a Chinese competitor in that category.

Between the lines: - WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is linking technical prestige with national industrial policy, not just competition branding. - The ambassador lineup covers both elite competition results and hands-on teaching roles, which broadens the message beyond medal counts. - The emphasis on role models suggests a long-term talent pipeline strategy, with the event used as a recruitment tool for skills-based careers. - Wang Shuqun said WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is inviting the world and framed skills as a stage for pursuing dreams. - Wu Jiani said skills are not a fallback option but a prestigious path to excellence.

What's next: - WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will continue building public attention ahead of the competition in Shanghai. - The ambassador program is likely to expand the campaign’s reach among students, trainees and young workers. - WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 aims to keep spotlighting “Great Craftsmen of the Nation” and skilled artisans as the event approaches.

The bottom line: - WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is turning its ambassador program into a national skills campaign, using proven winners to sell vocational excellence as a path to opportunity.