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Festo at WorldSkills in Shanghai
The demand for qualified specialists in automation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure is growing worldwide. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, taking place from 22 to 27 September 2026, will therefore focus precisely on the skills that drive industrial transformation and sustainable development. As a Global Premium Partner, Festo is supporting six competition disciplines, participating in the WorldSkills Conference and presenting new learning solutions for technical training and further education.
“The most effective skills development occurs where education and industry work hand in hand. WorldSkills is a striking example of this collaboration, bringing together learners, teachers and employers with a shared vision of excellence,” says Elfi Klumpp, Head of Partnership Development, Global Education at Festo Didactic.
Every two years since 1950, young skilled workers from all over the world have competed in the WorldSkills Competition. There, they test their skills in their respective trades in accordance with the demanding WorldSkills standards. Participants qualify in advance through a national selection process. Over the course of four days of competition, teams of young skilled workers develop solutions to highly technical tasks using training systems provided by Festo Didactic. The focus is on technical expertise in areas such as mechatronics, Industry 4.0, water technology and renewable energies.
WorldSkills Conference
The development of future-oriented skills has become a global priority. At the WorldSkills Conference, which takes place in parallel, experts from Festo will take part in discussions on how the education sector, industry and politics can work together to prepare the next generation of skilled workers. The focus is on topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on the world of work, the growing demand for green skills, and collaboration between the education sector, industry and government in developing future-proof training programmes.
Festo qualifies for Skills CoLab alongside Tsinghua University
Skills CoLab is a new format that complements the WorldSkills Conference and is taking place in Shanghai for the first time. WorldSkills has invited organisations from around the world to apply with partners and an innovative and sustainable educational concept. Over 130 applications were received, 30 of which will be presented via a ‘speed dating’ session at the WorldSkills Conference. Festo has proposed a joint project with Tsinghua University. This will vividly demonstrate a model combining Physical AI, digitalisation and artificial intelligence in the field of education.
Festo and WorldSkills
Festo has been supporting WorldSkills since 1991 and is committed to promoting vocational excellence and strengthening technical education and training worldwide. Further information on how Festo supports WorldSkills can be found here: https://festo.com/worldskills
Festo Didactic is a leading provider of technical education and further education. Its portfolio includes digital learning tools, hands-on training systems, workforce development programs, and comprehensive curricula in areas such as industrial automation, electrical engineering, industrial maintenance, pneumatics and hydraulics, renewable energy, and Industry 4.0. Festo Didactic supports schools, universities, training centers, research institutions, and industrial companies worldwide. Festo Didactic is part of Festo, an independent, globally oriented family-owned company headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. In 2025, approximately 800 Festo Didactic employees working across more than 60 Festo national companies generated sales of approximately EUR 155 million.
