Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, FE Week brought together an international panel to examine how the world’s leading skills nations get competition-ready and why participation matters far beyond the medal table. The discussion, chaired by FE Week editor Shane Chowen, included Dr Hendrik Voß of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), Ben Blackledge, chair of WorldSkills Europe, Parisa Shirazi, director of standards at WorldSkills UK, and Shaun Smith, deputy director of qualifications at AlphaPlus, part of AQA Global Assessment Services. The panel explain why WorldSkills’ impact extends from the competition hall to classrooms and teaching workshops all over the world, including here in the UK. Alongside how national organisations are preparing for Shanghai, the discussion covers how constantly updating international standards can be fed back into local and national education systems, what skills excellence contributes to productivity, economic growth and social mobility, and the employability opportunities that open up for competitors and their peers. The full recording is available below. The countdown to Shanghai is now on. Twenty-eight incredible competitors will represent Team UK across 25 skills when the competition opens on 22 September. FE Week, in partnership with AQA, will be covering all the news and developments on Team UK’s performance throughout the week.