BIBB delegation heads to WorldSkills Conference Shanghai
International exchange, global partnerships and the future of vocational education and training will be at the heart of BIBB’s participation in the upcoming WorldSkills Conference in Shanghai. A BIBB delegation, led by the Head of the International Department, will represent BIBB at the conference and contribute to the further development of the “Towards a Global TVET Agenda” (TGTA) initiative.
Ahead of the delegation’s departure, BIBB President Dr Sandra Garbade met with the members of the delegation.
WorldSkills Conference: ‘Shaping a skills-driven future’
The WorldSkills Conference will take place from 23 to 25 September 2026 in Shanghai, alongside the WorldSkills competition. Under the theme “Shaping a skills-driven future”, it will bring together policymakers, international organisations, business representatives, education and training practitioners, and young people from around the world.
This year’s programme covers a wide range of topics, from the international recognition of skills and qualifications to artificial intelligence, digitalisation and green skills, as well as data-driven VET management and the role of VET in the post-2030 agenda. Cross-cutting themes include inclusion, innovation and international cooperation. Further details of the conference programme can be found via the link in the box on the right.
Networking for the ‘Towards a Global TVET Agenda’ initiative
The conference provides an ideal platform for the “Towards a Global TVET Agenda” (TGTA) initiative. Together with UNESCO-UNEVOC, the ILO, the OECD and the ETF, as well as WorldSkills International, the BMBFSFJ – as initiator and funder – and BIBB – as coordinator – will present this multilateral partnership to an international audience.
The TGTA initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation in vocational education and training and establish common priorities for a global VET agenda. Its key areas of focus include improving VET data for evidence-based policymaking; promoting excellence and innovation in VET; building capacity to strengthen social partnership and work-based learning; and fostering global knowledge exchange and policy dialogue.
The BIBB in the conference programme
The BIBB delegation will play an active role in the WorldSkills Conference programme:
- Workshop: This interactive session will introduce the TGTA initiative and provide an opportunity to discuss it with potential partner countries, while promoting cooperation on a global VET agenda. BIBB will lead the panel discussion and provide the moderator.
- Skills CoLab: As BIBB’s contribution to the conference’s project marketplace, the Skills CoLab will connect the TGTA’s policy objectives with practical experience and facilitate exchange with a broader range of stakeholders.
- TGTA stand: At a dedicated exhibition stand, conference participants will be able to learn more about the initiative, its key areas of focus and its planned outcomes.
The delegation will also use the conference as an opportunity to meet with BIBB’s partner institutions, including SENAI from Brazil and TESDA from the Philippines, as well as project partners from Africa and Europe.
“The WorldSkills Conference offers us an excellent opportunity to strengthen international dialogue and establish common priorities in response to global challenges,” states Birgit Thomann, Head of Department “VET International” at BIBB.
“This also means ensuring that vocational education and training receives appropriate recognition for its contribution to economies, societies and sustainability as the post-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is being shaped.”
Birgit Thomann
Countdown to EuroSkills 2027 in Düsseldorf
The WorldSkills competition in Shanghai will also mark the launch of the countdown to EuroSkills 2027 in Düsseldorf. It is “one year to go” until Germany and Luxembourg are jointly hosting the European competition. BIBB will play an active role in the accompanying programme for the EuroSkills 2027.
For BIBB, the WorldSkills Conference is therefore an important opportunity to raise the international profile of the TGTA initiative, forge new partnerships and deepen existing collaborations.