Young Hong Kong Craftsmen Shine on World Stage with Best-Ever WorldSkills Haul

Three Medallions for Excellence mark a new milestone for the Construction Industry Council, as nine young competitors turn months of intense training into an international showcase of skill, resilience and teamwork.

For nine young Hong Kong competitors, four days of pressure, precision and perseverance in Shanghai have ended in a milestone achievement. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) secured three Medallions for Excellence at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, marking its best-ever performance at the global skills showcase and underscoring the growing strength of Hong Kong’s young skilled professionals.

The awards went to LAW Chak-sum in Painting and Decorating, TSE Yu-lok in Welding, and the duo of HUANG To-kong and WAN Tsz-ho in Concrete Construction Work.

The achievement was shared by the wider Hong Kong team, with LAW Chun-ho in Bricklaying, TO Lung-wai in Cabinetmaking, HUANG Tsz-ho in Joinery, TAI Hsin-i in Wall and Floor Tiling, and FANG Chak in Plumbing and Heating also showcasing their skills on the international stage.

For the competitors, however, the medals represent more than recognition on an international stage. Behind each award lie months of demanding training, long hours, setbacks and the determination to keep improving.

Keeping their eyes on the finish line

For HUANG To-kong and WAN Tsz-ho, their Medallion for Excellence in concrete construction work carries a special significance: it marks Hong Kong’s first-ever WorldSkills award in the category. But behind the historic achievement was a competition filled with unexpected setbacks — and a partnership built on trust and teamwork.

“It was pretty dramatic,” the pair recalled. After a strong start, they faced illness and exhaustion before a major setback on the afternoon of the third day, when concrete leaked from their structure.

“Our mood went from high to low,” they said. Yet they refused to give up. With the floor covered in concrete, they worked side by side, shovelling it back piece by piece and encouraging each other to keep going.

“I was so stressed that I felt like crying,” Wan recalled. “But luckily, we didn’t quit.”

They persevered until the very end, completing the structure to secure Medallion for Excellence, just 13 points behind the top position.
“It’s a pity we missed out by so little,” they said. “But we’re still very happy to have won this award.”

More than a medal, the experience became a reflection of their resilience, mutual support and determination — proving that when things went wrong, they could rely on each other to keep moving forward.

Both men emerged with Medallions for Excellence—and the profound realisation that the process had reshaped who they were as individuals.

Mastering the craft, overcoming the odds 

While Huang and Wan relied on real-time teamwork to pull through, individual medalists TSE Yu-lok and LAW Chak-sum fought their battles through personal sacrifice and mental warfare.

For Tse, success was forged in absolute discipline: the young welder endured a grueling 8am to 10pm training routine for a few months. His dedication paid off, earning him a Medallion for Excellence and securing the CIC’s third consecutive WorldSkills award in welding.

For Law, the hurdle was psychological. Plagued by early training mistakes, the painter and decorator spent months fighting self-doubt. Rather than letting stumbles define him, Law transformed his errors into momentum, earning high praise from his expert mentor, YEUNG Man-cheung, for his adaptability under pressure.

Growing through the experience

For the wider Hong Kong delegation, the value of the competition extended far beyond the medal tally.

This year also marks the CIC's first participation in the Cabinetmaking skill category. TO Lung-wai reflected on the journey as an invaluable achievement in its own right. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to test his craft on the global stage, noting that the experience left him with countless unforgettable moments.

For FANG Chak, who competed in plumbing and heating, the event was above all a chance to mature as a professional, lifted by the unwavering support of those by his side throughout his preparation.

“I really want to say a big thank you to the coaches who accompanied me throughout the training and the competition,” Fang said. “They made my dream of standing on an international competition stage possible, allowing me to grow and shine.”

More than medals

CIC Chairman Ir Prof. Thomas HO and Executive Director Ir Albert CHENG were present throughout the competition to support the delegation, praising the competitors for the confidence and maturity they had gained through rigorous preparation and competing on the international stage.

The preparation began long before Shanghai. The CIC provides training aligned with WorldSkills standards at its training base in Hong Kong Institute of Construction – Sheung Shui Campus, while practical simulations and intensive joint training with Mainland institutions help competitors adapt to unfamiliar environments, pressure and unexpected tasks.

“Training is not just about technical skills. We also need to prepare our competitors for the pressure of the competition,” said Ir Cheng.

“We want them to develop not only precision, but also the flexibility and resilience to think on their feet.”

Ir Prof. Ho said the achievements demonstrated the value of skills development and the CIC’s commitment to nurturing new talent for the industry.

“We hope that the success stories of these young competitors will inspire the public, especially young people, to see the vast opportunities offered by skills development,” he said.

Ir Cheng added that the significance of the achievement went beyond the medals.
“Skills can build careers, and skilled professionals can become future leaders,” he said, while praising the entire Hong Kong team for pushing beyond their usual training and doing their best on the world stage.

A new generation of talent

This year’s WorldSkills Competition featured 64 skill categories, bringing together around 1,400 young skilled professionals aged 22 or below from 70 countries and regions.

First held in 1950, WorldSkills is widely regarded as the “Olympics of Skills” and is held every two years in different host countries and regions. The competition gives young professionals from around the world an opportunity to test their skills at the highest level, exchange knowledge and showcase the possibilities of vocational and professional training.

For Hong Kong, the latest results bring the CIC’s historical tally to 10 Medallions for Excellence at WorldSkills.

Yet perhaps the most enduring achievement lies beyond the medal count: nine young people who stepped onto the world stage, tested themselves against the best in their fields and returned with something that cannot be measured by a podium alone — greater confidence, deeper experience and a renewed belief in what skilled craftsmanship can make possible.

The 49th WorldSkills Competition will take place in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in November 2028, giving a new generation of young skilled professionals another opportunity to take their talents to the world stage.