The University of South Africa (Unisa) has used its participation in the WorldSkills Conference in Shanghai, China, to highlight the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in preparing young people and workers for a changing global economy.
The international event brought together government representatives, universities, industry leaders and skills development organisations to discuss how education systems can respond to technological advances, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and changing employment demands.
Unisa’s participation focused on strengthening South Africa’s TVET sector through digital skills development, AI readiness and green technology training, including renewable energy programmes such as solar installation.
Unisa Takes South Africa’s TVET Skills Agenda to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, Highlighting AI and Green Technology Training
The discussions are particularly relevant to South Africa, where improving technical skills, expanding access to vocational education and preparing young people for emerging industries remain important development priorities.
The university’s participation also highlighted the growing importance of cooperation between universities, TVET colleges, government and private-sector employers in developing skills that respond to actual workplace needs.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Brings Together More Than 1,400 Young Competitors
The WorldSkills Conference took place from 23 to 25 September 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai under the theme Shaping a skills-driven future.
The conference was held alongside the 48th WorldSkills Competition and the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo.
More than 1,400 young people from over 60 countries and regions competed across 64 skills categories.
The competitions covered a wide range of technical and occupational disciplines, including:
- Intelligent security technology.
- Painting and decorating.
- Joinery.
- Landscape gardening.
- Visual merchandising.
- Mobile applications development.
- Hotel reception.
The event provided an international platform for countries to showcase vocational skills, exchange knowledge and discuss how technical education can respond to economic and technological changes.
The conference also featured discussions about lifelong learning, industry partnerships and the need to prepare workers for emerging technologies.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the opening address, highlighting the importance of skills development to economic growth.
“Investing in skills is investing in the future, and empowering workers is empowering development,” he said. University of South Africa+1
Unisa Highlights Its Role in Supporting South Africa’s TVET Sector
Four representatives from Unisa’s UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre attended the international conference.
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They were:
- Professor Sello Mokoena.
- Professor Vaola Sambo.
- Mamonare Mahlo.
- Sheila Manamela.
During the conference, the delegation participated in a UNESCO-UNEVOC session titled TVET as a Driver of Social and Economic Progress: The Role of Green and Digital Skills.
The session provided an opportunity for Unisa to explain how its academic expertise and institutional resources can support technical and vocational colleges in South Africa.
Professor Mokoena presented an overview of the university’s history and international reach, noting that Unisa was established in 1873 and has more than 420,000 students worldwide.
Professor Sambo discussed the work of the UNEVOC Centre and its contribution to developing skills within South Africa’s vocational education sector.
She also outlined the university’s plans to support AI readiness in TVET institutions.
“We will be supporting AI readiness in our TVET institutions, using the technological capabilities that our university has,” she said. University of South Africa
AI Readiness Becomes an Important Priority for Technical Education
Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate, how industries manage information and how workers perform different tasks.
For technical and vocational institutions, this creates a need to prepare students for workplaces where digital technologies and automated systems are increasingly relevant.
Unisa’s involvement in AI readiness reflects its intention to use its technological capabilities to support TVET institutions.
This includes helping colleges understand emerging technologies and developing the skills required to use them effectively.
The issue extends beyond teaching students how to operate digital tools. Workers also need critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities to adapt to changing occupational requirements.
During the conference, Borhene Chakroun, Director of UNESCO’s Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, emphasised that technical education must develop broader human capabilities alongside occupational skills.
He argued that apprenticeship and vocational training approaches need to evolve as new professions emerge. University of South Africa
Unisa Supports Green Technology and Solar Installation Training
Another important area highlighted during the Shanghai conference was green skills development.
Unisa explained how it uses its Catalytic Niche Areas to support TVET colleges offering green technology programmes, including solar installation.
This work draws on the expertise of the university’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
The initiative is connected to two of Unisa’s strategic research and development priorities:
Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation
This priority focuses on developing capacity in emerging technologies, digital transformation and technological innovation.
Energy Studies
This area focuses on renewable energy, sustainable energy solutions and the development of knowledge that can support changing energy systems.
The university’s engagement with TVET colleges creates opportunities to connect academic research and technical expertise with practical vocational training.
For South Africa, green skills development is increasingly relevant as the country explores renewable energy technologies and the transition towards more sustainable energy systems.
Training in areas such as solar installation can help prepare learners for technical work associated with renewable energy infrastructure.
However, access to training does not automatically guarantee employment. Practical experience, recognised qualifications and industry demand will remain important factors for people entering these occupations. University of South Africa
South Africa Wins Silver Medal in Aircraft Maintenance
South Africa also recorded an achievement at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, winning a silver medal in Aircraft Maintenance.
Matthew Bowen, from Intelek Training and Consultation in Germiston, secured second place in the category.
According to WorldSkills South Africa, this was a historic achievement because South Africa became the first African member country to win an Aircraft Maintenance medal in the 75-year history of WorldSkills International.
The result highlighted the capabilities of South African technical skills development and the importance of providing young people with opportunities to demonstrate their expertise on international platforms.
Aircraft maintenance is a specialised technical field requiring practical training, precision and a strong understanding of engineering and safety requirements. University of South Africa+1
UNESCO Global Skills Academy Highlights Opportunities for Young People
The conference also featured discussions about the UNESCO Global Skills Academy (GSA), an international initiative that works with partners to provide mentorship and skills training.
Its focus areas include:
- Digital literacy.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Green technologies.
During one of the sessions, learners shared how participation in the initiative had supported their personal and professional development.
Christian McPherson, a hospitality student from Jamaica studying in China through a fully funded China POCY Group Scholarships Programme, spoke about the value of the experience.
She said:
“It has helped me to build my confidence and it has also given me new ideas and experiences to take back to the motherland.”
Another participant, Bigwi Eric Patrick, an e-commerce student in China, described the academy as “a bridge for youth to achieve their goals”.
He explained that the programme had helped him develop practical e-commerce skills, including livestreaming, understanding customer needs and promoting products online.
These contributions highlighted the importance of connecting skills training with practical opportunities for young people. University of South Africa
Global Leaders Call for Stronger Partnerships Between Education and Industry
One of the recurring themes at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 was the need for stronger cooperation between educational institutions, governments and businesses.
Participants discussed how employers and training providers can work together to identify skills shortages, develop relevant qualifications and ensure that training responds to changing workplace requirements.
Erin McCusker, Executive Officer, Executive Vice-President and Chief Impact Officer at LIXIL Corporation, called for closer collaboration between industry and government.
She emphasised the importance of identifying, assessing and certifying skills that workers can use in rapidly changing employment environments.
Luis Benveniste, Regional Practice Director for People, East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank, also highlighted the importance of continuous learning.
He explained that technological developments, climate change and demographic changes are reshaping economies, making upskilling and reskilling increasingly important.
His message was that skills development should be treated as a lifelong process rather than a once-off educational intervention. University of South Africa
What Unisa’s WorldSkills Participation Means for South African TVET Colleges
Unisa’s participation in Shanghai highlights the potential role of universities in strengthening vocational education beyond their own student populations.
TVET colleges provide occupational and technical training in areas that are important to the economy, including engineering, construction, business, information technology and other practical disciplines.
Collaboration with universities can provide access to specialised research, technological knowledge and academic expertise that may support the development of these programmes.
The focus on AI and renewable energy also reflects changing skills requirements.
As industries adopt new technologies and respond to environmental challenges, workers will increasingly need opportunities to update their qualifications and develop new competencies.
For South African students and job seekers, these developments underline the importance of considering technical training and vocational qualifications alongside traditional university degrees.
Sources and Verification
This article is based on Unisa’s official news report published on 12 November 2026, with additional verification of the international event through WorldSkills International.
- Unisa – Official report on its participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
- WorldSkills International – WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition and results.
- WorldSkills International – WorldSkills Conference 2026.
Editorial note: The conference took place from 23 to 25 September 2026. Unisa’s report was published on 12 November 2026. The university’s proposed support for AI readiness and green technology training should not be interpreted as confirmation that new courses, funding opportunities or TVET college admissions have opened.
