Shanghai, the host city of the upcoming 48th WorldSkills Competition in 2026, has embarked on a mission to nurture a workforce of 45,000 highly skilled individuals this year. As of the conclusion of July, the city has already provided 23,400 training opportunities aimed at cultivating high-skilled personnel, marking a significant 24.8 percent year-on-year growth in training initiatives.

A report released by the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau revealed that among the cohort of new skilled talents, highly skilled individuals now constitute a larger proportion compared to the previous year. The percentage of highly-skilled talents has surged from 28.5 percent to 36 percent of the total, showcasing Shanghai's commitment to fostering excellence and expertise in various occupational fields.

The top five occupations among the newly minted highly-skilled personnel include babysitters, network and information security administrators, e-commerce specialists, labor relations coordinators, and supply chain management specialists. These professionals represent a diverse array of expertise crucial to the city's economic and social fabric.

Throughout the year, Shanghai has intensified its policy support initiatives aimed at cultivating highly-skilled talents, with a particular emphasis on industries and sectors experiencing a demand for specialized skills. The city has introduced preferential policies targeting 100 occupations of highly-skilled personnel, incentivizing individuals to enhance their capabilities through additional certifications.

Moreover, Shanghai has encouraged graduates from universities and vocational schools to pursue further skill development by obtaining certifications as highly-skilled personnel. By the end of July, a remarkable achievement was noted, with over 4,000 graduates from 37 educational institutions successfully obtaining certifications, marking a notable six-fold increase compared to the previous year.