China News Service, Shanghai, September 25th. Title: WorldSkills Competition witnesses the growth of young people: skills are not a "second choice"
Reporter Su Jingxin
“Skills are something to be proud of, not a ‘second choice’.” On the 25th, Miller Mwelakubi, the African representative of the WorldSkills Champions Liaison Group, said at the 2026 WorldSkills Conference that the ongoing WorldSkills Competition provides young people with opportunities to showcase their skills, pursue excellence and achieve self-breakthrough.
The 48th WorldSkills Competition is being held at the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center. More than 1,300 young skilled talents from 68 countries and regions around the world have gathered together to compete on the same field. But the impact of this competition on young people goes far beyond medals.
Originally from South Africa, Miller grew up in a small town and moved to Cape Town with his family when he was in seventh grade. Unfamiliar with the local language, Afrikaans, he struggled at school. Later, Miller attended a skills school, where a teacher introduced him to the WorldSkills Competition. From there, he advanced through regional competitions and eventually represented South Africa at the 2017 WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi.
“When I competed in the WorldSkills competition, I realized that the skills a young person masters can really change their life.” Miller recalled that the experience of competing with world-class players taught him discipline, precision and resilience. “Skills competitions can provide young people with role models similar to their own experiences, and it can also make them realize that skills are something to be proud of and not just a ‘second-best option.’”
Miller's experience is not unique. A research report released by WorldSkills in October 2024 stated that 88% of respondents said that participating in WorldSkills-related activities was a beneficial experience for contestants. The survey shows that 32 of the 50 member organizations (64%) who participated in the survey said that contestants can quickly obtain their dream jobs from reputable employers. Namibia said that many previous contestants found jobs in well-known companies quickly and easily after the competition, and some of them even started their own companies.
The report points out that demonstrating skills on the international stage can allow young people to gain authoritative recognition of their skills and professional abilities. This recognition has professional value and also helps them gain respect from their peers, community and surrounding environment, thereby increasing their confidence and well-being and further becoming a role model for other young people.
According to reports, Miller now works as a trainer at a vocational and technical college and also owns a masonry company.
Miller pointed out that there are still many talented young people who are unable to enter the existing education and training system due to various reasons, and it is difficult to obtain similar development opportunities. He believes that society needs to provide more sustained and high-quality vocational education and training, so that skills training can reach higher standards and create more opportunities for young people to enter the workplace and display their talents.
He particularly emphasized the need to change society's traditional views on vocational education, because skills education can also provide young people with a path to success.
