Chinese competitor Qiu Shubin claimed the gold medal in the jewelry skill at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai on Sept 27, successfully defending the consecutive title in the event.

Founded in 1950, the biennial WorldSkills Competition, hosted in Shanghai for the first time, brings together 1,385 young talents from 68 countries and regions competing across 64 skills.

The jewelry event follows a "blind task" format, in which competition briefs are released only after the contest starts. According to Qiu, the event evaluates competitors' full-process capabilities from design drafting, soldering, and metalwork to final polishing, demanding solid foundational skills, on-site adaptability, and precise time management.

"The real challenge is staying focused amid high standards and pressure, executing each step steadily, and perfecting every detail," Qiu said after the final. He described the atmosphere as intense yet rewarding, noting that competing against top global talent was both a test and a valuable learning experience.

A teacher at Shenzhen Technician College, Qiu switched to jewelry design from a biology major out of personal interest. He began systematic preparation in late 2022, honing his craft through intensive training camps and exchange events.

"Jewelry craftsmanship takes long-term dedication. As long as you truly love it and keep investing in it, your efforts will pay off," he said.

The achievement is underpinned by long-standing industry-education integration. As an official competition sponsor and exclusive 18K gold material supplier for the jewelry skill, Chinese jewelry brand Chow Tai Fook has supported Chinese competitors at four consecutive WorldSkills editions.

Prior to the event, Chow Tai Fook hosted a pre-competition warm-up, inviting WorldSkills technical experts and in-house master craftsmen to provide targeted coaching. Qiu noted that the platform not only supported his preparation but also gave young craftsmen insight into the full industry ecosystem and a clearer career path.

Since 2009, Chow Tai Fook has partnered with vocational colleges nationwide to build a complete talent cultivation chain covering school education, industrial practice, and skills competitions, having trained more than 3,000 craftsmen for the sector to date.

"Talent development is a core strategy for our brand transformation. China's back-to-back gold wins demonstrate the world-class caliber of our jewelry craftsmanship," May Lau, director of Social Impact at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, said.

"We will continue deepening industry-education integration to encourage more young people to join the trade and keep elevating Chinese jewelry craftsmanship on the global stage."

Source: China Daily website