The Executive Office of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 has appointed "Dream Ambassadors" to six highly qualified professionals to convey the idea that "learning a trade can change your future."
On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15, the Executive Office of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 announced the appointment of six "National Master Craftsmen" and WorldSkills participants —Wang Shuqun, Liu Xinru, Cao Jiahao, Zhu Lixuan, Yang Lingzhi, and Wu Jiani— as members of the second group of Dream Ambassadors of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The goal is for their example to serve as inspiration, foster a passion for trades, and encourage more young people to train in a profession.
This second group takes over from the first ten Dream Ambassadors of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, presented in September of last year during the event that marked the countdown to the competition. Specialized in aerospace assembly, software development, floral art, pastry and confectionery, hotel reception, and restaurant service, the six new ambassadors are taking Chinese professional talent to new heights on the international stage.
Wang Shuqun is a senior aerospace technician and leads the team responsible for assembling the docking mechanisms of crewed spacecraft at Plant 149 of the Eighth Academy, belonging to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. After sixteen years of effort, he and his team managed to overcome the technical challenges of space docking and contributed to China's first "space kiss": the meeting and docking of the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft with the Tiangong-1 module in 2011.
Liu Xinru, a teacher at the Wuzhong Technical Institute in Suzhou, won China's first gold medal in the Pastry and Confectionery category at the 47th WorldSkills Competition.
Cao Jiahao, a teacher at the Suzhou Technical Institute, won the gold medal in the Software Application Development specialty at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, marking China's first gold medal in this category.
Zhu Lixuan, a teacher at the Shanghai Information Management School, received a Medal of Excellence in the Hotel Reception category at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, the first medal for China in this category.
Yang Lingzhi, professor at the Shanghai Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, grew up in a mountainous area of Guizhou province. Her passion for plants led her to pursue her dream of dedicating herself to floral art and to obtain a Medal of Excellence in the Special Edition of WorldSkills 2022.
Wu Jiani, flight attendant of China Eastern Airlines and director of a professional development center, received a Medal of Excellence in the Restaurant Service category at the 45th WorldSkills Competition, thus achieving the best result for China to date in this category.
The Executive Office of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 noted that the stories of these Dream Ambassadors demonstrate that learning a trade can change the future. Their example serves as inspiration to young people and contributes to training a new generation of professionals and "Great National Craftsmen".