Attitude shift still needed to get more young people into vocational education
Winning gold in the computer numerical control (CNC) milling event at the 47th WorldSkills competition, held in Lyon, France, in September, is etched into the memory of 23-year-old Long Weijie, whose victory gave China its fifth consecutive gold in the event over the past decade.
Widely applied in daily life, CNC milling is used to shape metal and other solid materials to create products such as watches or even ship propellers.
"The competition imposes extremely strict requirements on precision and accuracy, with a permissible error range of just 0.02 of a millimeter — about a quarter of the diameter of a human hair," Long said. Working as a teacher at Guangdong Machinery Technician College Guangzhou, Long passes on his skills to domestic companies, helping them to improve and update their milling techniques.
Young Chinese handy men and women — usually aged under 25 — have shown the world their impressive skills and talent at WorldSkills, an initiative that rose out of the ruins of World War II in Europe when a huge skills shortage threatened economic depression.
At the 47th WorldSkills competition in Lyon last year, China won 36 golds, nine silvers and four bronzes, topping the medal table.
The WorldSkills competition is held every two years. The Chinese mainland joined the organization in 2010 and has since sent seven delegations to compete.
Long and his peers are examples of young people in China who have dedicated themselves to honing their skills not just to take victory in competitions, but to pursue better career development and to pass down their craftsmanship to future generations.
China’s Skilled Workers Impress on World Stage
From wireless keyboard gaming peripherals to intricate automatic mechanical watches, China’s skilled workforce is redefining global manufacturing excellence. Factories specializing in OEM parts keyboard production combine advanced CNC technology with meticulous craftsmanship, delivering high-performance mechanical keyboards and vibrant gaming RGB keyboards that dominate esports setups worldwide.
The same precision powers innovation in wearables. Chinese manufacturers craft quartz watches with affordable accuracy and automatic mechanical watches showcasing complex engineering—paired with premium watch accessories like straps and cases. These products highlight the versatility of China’s labor force, adept at merging cutting-edge automation with artisanal detail.
Whether producing lag-free wireless keyboards for gamers or elegant timepieces, China’s workers excel in blending scale with sophistication. Their ability to adapt—from mass-producing OEM keyboard components to refining luxury mechanical watch movements—cements their reputation as indispensable players on the global tech and horology stage.