The world's highest-level vocational skills competition—the WorldSkills Competition (WorldSkills)—will be staged in Shanghai from the 22nd to the 27th of this month. It is of special significance as it marks the first time our country is hosting this international mega-event.
Last month, the Hong Kong delegation held a Flag Presentation Ceremony before their departure. I was there to witness our competitors and expert representatives take their oaths, demonstrating their unwavering determination to give their all and pursue excellence. Watching them officially embark on their journey to the global stage, I felt both thrilled and immensely proud. This competition is not merely a contest of technical prowess but a vital opportunity for society to witness the power of skills, and for Hong Kong's construction industry and our young artisans to shine on the world stage.
Redefining the Value of Vocational Skills
Hong Kong first participated in WorldSkills in 1997. This year, we are sending our largest delegation ever, comprising 41 elite competitors participating in 37 skill areas, competing alongside approximately 1,400 top-tier contestants from over 70 countries and regions worldwide.
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is sending nine outstanding young competitors to contest in eight construction-related trades. Each competitor has undergone rigorous selection rounds and extensive professional training in trades including Concrete Construction Work, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing and Heating, Wall and Floor Tiling, Bricklaying, Welding, and Cabinetmaking. Notably, this is the first time the CIC has fielded a competitor in Cabinetmaking, marking a further expansion of Hong Kong's construction skills landscape. The CIC has also selected six reserve competitors and is training 11 students, ensuring a robust and sustainable talent pipeline.
The significance of WorldSkills is profound. For the competitors, it is the ultimate testing ground for their technical abilities; for the industry, it serves as a catalyst to elevate our training standards; and for society, it offers a chance to view the construction sector in a new light. It showcases the knowledge, judgement, and craftsmanship behind these skills, proving that construction is a highly professional field and a rewarding career path well worth young people's dedication.
The CIC has always regarded the training of exquisite craftsmanship as a core strategic pillar. WorldSkills is not only an international platform for young artisans to showcase their talents, but also a crucial component of our efforts to enhance skills training and support the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. Through WorldSkills, we aim to achieve four key objectives: to demonstrate to the public and young people that mastering professional skills paves the way for a stable and promising career; to build a highly skilled construction workforce for Hong Kong; to foster a positive outlook on life among our youth on a personal level; and to cultivate a cohort of exceptional artisans to elevate the overall standard of the local construction industry. These four goals are mutually reinforcing and encapsulate the deeper purpose behind the CIC's participation in the competition.
Illuminating Promising Career Pathways in Modern Construction
WorldSkills opens a window for the public to better understand the construction industry. Through this global stage, we can see that today's construction sector seamlessly integrates superb craftsmanship, professional judgment, and technological application, offering young people diverse and clear pathways for development.
With numerous large-scale housing and infrastructure projects rolling out in Hong Kong in the coming years, the industry's demand for talent is growing increasingly acute. To attract new blood, we must not only present clear career trajectories but also highlight how the construction industry is actively embracing technology to significantly improve working environments.
To support the industry in mastering new technologies, the Government established the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) in 2018, which is managed and operated by the CIC. The CITF continuously supports the industry in adopting innovative construction methods and new technologies, as well as in talent training. As of August 2026, the Fund has approved over HK$2.2 billion in subsidies; in early 2026, the Government and the CIC announced an additional injection of HK$1.4 billion into the Fund.
Talent training remains one of the CIC's paramount tasks. We train 5,000 to 6,000 new entrants each year and organise Master Classes for management level practitioners to help them understand and master technological applications. Moving forward, the CIC will continue to explore the industry's needs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, allocating resources to collaborate with experts and suppliers to develop AI software tailored for the sector. The CIC envisions a future where every artisan finds immense value in their role, and every practitioner continues to advance amidst the wave of technological innovation.
Concurrently, in collaboration with the Development Bureau and Works Departments, the CIC has developed construction-related teaching materials for primary and secondary schools. Over 450 schools (representing about half of all schools in Hong Kong) have signed up as partner schools, with many downloading these materials as supplementary teaching aids. Nurturing talent from a young age is the very foundation of our industry's sustainable development.
WorldSkills is more than a competition; it is also a prime opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of Hong Kong's new generation of builders and the future of our industry to the world. There are no shortcuts to success—only relentless practice and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Every competitor has put in unimaginable effort, and I am brimming with confidence in this year's line-up! I cordially invite everyone to rally behind Hong Kong's construction competitors. Let us look forward to seeing them shine brightly in Shanghai and bring glory to Hong Kong!
