The 48th WorldSkills Competition came to a successful conclusion in Shanghai on September 27. Zhao Qiansen, a young Chinese competitor and employee of China MCC19 Group Corp., won the gold medal in the Welding competition, bringing another major international honor to China in the field of welding skills.

Zhao, born in the 2000s, began his competitive journey in 2023, when he participated in the Panzhihua Secondary Vocational School Skills Competition and won first place. It was his first competition award and marked the beginning of his development as a professional welding skills competitor.

Since then, Zhao has progressed through competitions at different levels, continuously improving his technical skills and gaining valuable experience. His journey eventually led him to the world stage, where he secured the gold medal in Welding at the 48th WorldSkills Competition.

Speaking about his experience at WorldSkills, Zhao said that the competition helped him develop both his skills and his understanding of the profession. Compared with the competitions he had participated in previously, WorldSkills brought together competitors from around the world and presented more challenging tasks, requiring competitors to demonstrate a higher level of technical ability and professional knowledge.

Welding: A Skill That Demands Precision and Safety

Welding is a highly regulated industrial process governed by international standards and technical specifications. Defects such as pores, slag inclusions, and lack of fusion can compromise the integrity of a weld. Under pressure or load, such defects may lead to leakage or, in severe cases, equipment failure and safety incidents.

The Welding competition at WorldSkills is an individual competition that requires competitors to demonstrate a comprehensive range of professional skills. Competitors must be able to interpret technical drawings, understand welding standards, recognize the welding characteristics of different materials, and perform various arc welding processes with a high degree of precision.

In addition to technical welding skills, competitors are expected to understand workplace safety and occupational health requirements and strictly follow appropriate safety and personal protective measures.

Welding and China's WorldSkills Journey

Welding holds a special place in China's participation in the WorldSkills Competition.

China's first medal and first gold medal at WorldSkills were both achieved in the Welding competition. At the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in 2015, China won its first-ever WorldSkills gold medal, marking a historic breakthrough for the Chinese delegation.

China subsequently continued its strong performance in Welding, winning gold medals at the 44th and 45th WorldSkills Competitions and achieving three consecutive championships.

The latest victory by Zhao Qiansen once again highlights the high level of welding skills training and professional talent development in China.

Experiencing the Reality of Welding

Alongside the competition area, a welding skills experience station gave visitors an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the working environment of professional welders.

The station displayed a complete set of personal protective equipment used by welders, including protective clothing and welding helmets. Visitors were able to try on the equipment themselves and experience firsthand the weight and restricted visibility associated with welding PPE.

For many participants, wearing the full set of protective equipment provided a more direct understanding of the demanding conditions faced by welders. The experience demonstrated that professional welding requires not only technical expertise and precision, but also a strong commitment to workplace safety and occupational health.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition once again demonstrated the importance of skilled professionals in modern industry. For welding in particular, the competition highlights the value of continuous training, practical experience, precision, and safety. All essential elements in developing the next generation of highly skilled welding professionals.

News Sources

1. The Paper (澎湃新闻) — “Sichuan’s ‘Post-00s’ Zhao Qiansen Wins Gold in Welding at the 48th WorldSkills Competition”

2. Xinmin Evening News (新民晚报) — “Welding Competition: A Test of Extreme Precision”