Jakarta, September 16, 2026 – Indonesia is finalizing preparations to compete in the 2026 WorldSkills Competition (WSC) in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Twenty competitors and 17 experts are prepared to represent Indonesia, supported by a technical delegate, technical delegate assistant, coaches, mentors, and other support team members.

The competitors come from diverse backgrounds, including students and alumni of vocational schools, educational institutions, and industry partners. They have undergone intensive coaching and training to develop the technical skills, mental fortitude, discipline, and precision required for world-class competition.

Preparations for the 2026 WSC Shanghai are being carried out in stages. From a technical perspective, competitors will participate in Competition Preparation Week in February 2026. The coaching process will then continue with various simulations designed to mimic the real competition atmosphere, accustoming competitors to the standards, time pressures, and precision demands inherent in the WSC.

One of the Indonesian competitors, Kanya Anggrek Gunawan, an alumnus of Raden Umar Said Vocational School (RUS) in Kudus, Central Java, expressed her pride and enthusiasm for the opportunity to represent Indonesia in the global vocational competition. Since February 2026, Kanya has been undergoing various preparations for the competition in the 3D Game Art area of expertise.

"Our preparations have been quite lengthy, and I've learned a lot, not just about competency, but also how to maintain focus, discipline, and mental toughness in the face of competition. I hope that when we compete, we can focus on what we've learned and give our best for the country. Please pray for us and support us so we can deliver the best results for Indonesia," said Kanya Anggrek in Jakarta on Tuesday (September 15).

He said 3D Game Art presents a unique challenge, as it's Indonesia's first competition. Therefore, he's continuously improving his skills and preparing to deliver his best performance in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, Indonesian competitor Dewangga Pratama Putra from Krian 2 Vocational School , Sidoarjo, East Java, has been preparing for about six months with industry. Training was conducted at two locations, with equipment and training environments tailored to the competition's needs.

"For my target, the most important is the Gold Medal , but the minimum is the Medal of Excellence ," said Dewangga.

For Dewangga, participating in the WSC is not only an opportunity to compete, but also part of the process of developing competencies that can later be shared with the next generation. After the competition, he plans to return to school and share the skills he's acquired during the training. "I hope that there will be juniors who will carry on my talents in the field of auto body repair, especially, and that the skills I have can be honed by the next generation," he said.

Intensive preparations were also conducted in the Robot Systems Integration area. Reza Pahlevi, an expert in this field, stated that the team he mentored won first place at ASEAN Skills 2025 in the Philippines. Ahead of WSC 2026, the team underwent three to four months of training at an industry training center .

According to Reza, Robot Systems Integration is one of the fields that reflects the current technological needs of the industry. Developments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) require vocational talent to continuously update and improve their competencies.

"If we don't upskill and reskill , we'll be left behind, behind the technology that will eventually be taken over by AI and robotics. So, we must prepare for the new era of robotics and AI," he said.

Reza also expressed optimism about his team's readiness for the competition. Despite the limitations of using identical equipment to the competition, the training process continues to be directed so that competitors can adapt to the demands of the competition. "The target is WorldSkills 2026. We remain optimistic that we can bring home Indonesia's first gold medal this year in Robot Systems Integration ," he said.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, hopes that the Indonesian contingent can demonstrate their best abilities on the world stage and bring home experiences that can be passed on to the education and vocational communities in the country.

Deputy Minister Fajar reminded that success in a competition isn't solely measured by medals won, but also by the mentality and experience built during the preparation and competition process. "Being a champion isn't simply about placing first, second, or third, or even whether we win a medal or not. Winning is about mentality and outlook on life," he said.

He also advised the entire Indonesian contingent to remain proud of the process they had undergone and to bring home valuable experiences from Shanghai to share with the education and vocational community in Indonesia.

"Whatever the outcome, return home with pride, with the responsibility that what has been achieved in Shanghai, what has been seen and learned in Shanghai needs to be transmitted, disseminated in Indonesia, especially in each respective community," he concluded.*** (Author: Setditjen Dikmen Diksus Team/Photographer: Morecka/Editor: Stephanie)

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Source: Siaran Pers Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah Nomor: 811/sipers/A6/IX/2026

Writer: Rayhan Parady

Editor: Denty Anugrahmawaty

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