Skills Forum at World Plumbing Conference 2026
Get ready to meet the future of plumbing!
Bringing together 17 of the world’s most exceptional young Plumbing & Heating talents for an elite international training experience.
Held ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 (22-27 September, 2026), this intensive three-day Skills Forum programme highlights global benchmarks – accelerating technical mastery, showcasing global plumbing standards, and shaping the next generation of plumbing industry leaders from across the world.
Skills Forum participants will develop and demonstrate key technical skills, including:
· Installation of frames and sanitation pipework
· Installation of water supply pipes and fixture
Supported by previous WorldSkills Plumbing & Heating medallists, international trainers, and other industry leaders from the WorldSkills International Community, our young participants will receive real-time assessment and mentorship aligned with global standards of vocational excellence, preparing them for the once-in-a-lifetime experience that awaits them later this year as they contest the Plumbing & Heating competition at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Visit the Skills Forum workshop area in Hall 4, space 4H22 to meet and connect with these world-class international talents.
Also, don’t miss our supporting panel presentation – Global Workforce Development Through TVET – on the first afternoon of World Plumbing Conference 2026 (Tuesday, 23 June @ 3pm) examining challenges and opportunities for the global plumbing industry.
During this session, attendees will learn more about:
• How WorldSkills raises standards and drives innovation.
• How TVET systems can feed into WorldSkills and prepare future plumbers.
• How EDI and work-readiness skills can further strengthen the talent pipeline.
To find out more about the Skills Forum @ World Plumbing Conference 2026, please contact: secretariat@worldplumbing.org
A legacy beyond the conference
The Skills Forum @ World Plumbing Conference 2026 also embeds social responsibility at its core.
Upon completion of the training workshop, all equipment and materials will be redirected to support local community organisations in the UK, ensuring the event creates tangible, lasting benefits for those in need.
This approach reflects the success of the IWSH Plumbing Champions program, which has established community legacy projects at skills competitions and other industry trade shows around the world, transforming exhibition and educational resources into vital community infrastructure.
Our pilot Social Impact project to follow World Plumbing Conference 2026 will upgrade water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities for a community partner organization amenity/facility, creating lasting improvements where they’re needed most. Equipment and materials from the Skills Forum training workshop will be repurposed to support these renovations, while young apprentices from across the UK will gain further hands-on experience delivering the work under the mentorship of WPC2026 partners and other industry experts.
This approach ensures the Skills Forum @ World Plumbing Conference 2026 leaves a dual legacy: enhanced community infrastructure, and accelerated skills development for emerging talent.
Stay tuned: more information will be shared through the remainder of 2026.
Participating Countries
