The 48th WorldSkills Competition closed in Shanghai on Sept 27. China won 41 gold, 11 silver, and four bronze medals, along with six Medallions for Excellence — its best-ever result at the WorldSkills Competition. He Xiaoman, who competed in Rail Vehicle Technology, received the Albert Vidal Award for the highest overall score.

At the Shanghai Skills Development Forum during the WorldSkills Conference 2026 on Sept 24, the city released its directory recognizing the vocational skill levels of holders of overseas certificates. Shanghai published the first batch of the directory in December 2025 and the second in September 2026. Together, they cover 16 certificates issued by seven organizations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium.

Workers who hold a certificate on either list and have been employed in Shanghai for at least six months can apply for recognition at the corresponding Chinese skill level. If approved, they will receive a Chinese vocational skill level certificate. Beyond the certificate and six-month employment requirements mentioned above, the process is not subject to any restrictions based on nationality, household registration, or other application conditions.

Which certificates are covered?

The levels shown after the arrows below are Chinese vocational skill levels.

First batch: seven certificates

• TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Caregiving - Elderly Care (RQF) → Elderly care worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Caregiving (RQF) → Domestic service worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• IMI International L2 Diploma in Light/Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (INT-CHN-LEV2-D) → Vehicle repair worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician (ST1315) → Aircraft component assembly worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• Level 4 Aircraft Certifying Technician (ST0019) → Aircraft component assembly worker, Level 2 (technician)
• KNX Certificate Basic → Smart building manager, Level 4 (intermediate)
• KNX Certificate Advanced → Smart building manager, Level 3 (advanced)

Note: For either of the two KNX certificates issued before Nov 30, 2025, the holder must also pass the corresponding supplementary assessment covering the management and maintenance of automatic fire alarm and fire linkage control systems.

Second batch: nine certificates

• TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Postnatal Care (RQF) → Domestic service worker (maternal and infant care), Level 3 (advanced)
• TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children & Young People (RQF) → Childcare worker, Level 4 (intermediate)
• TQUK Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People's Workforce (RQF) (Early Learning & Childcare) → Childcare worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice → Elderly care worker, Level 3 (advanced)
• Highfield Level 2 Certificate for Kitchen Assistants (RQF) → Western cuisine cook, Level 4 (intermediate)
• Highfield Level 2 Diploma for Professional Cooks (RQF) → Western cuisine cook, Level 3 (advanced)
• TÜV Rheinland International Welder (ISO 9606-01), Level 5 → Welder, Level 5 (elementary)
• TÜV Rheinland International Welder (ISO 9606-01), Level 4 → Welder, Level 4 (intermediate)
• TÜV Rheinland International Welder (ISO 9606-01), Level 3 → Welder, Level 3 (advanced)

Source: Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau