Distinguished guests,
Trainers and coaches,
And most importantly, our Team Singapore WorldSkills participants,
I am very happy to join all of you today for this Send-Off Ceremony, as we prepare to cheer on Team Singapore at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
1.Our participants have worked incredibly hard. You trained for long hours, pushed through setbacks, and refined your craft to a level that puts you among the best in Singapore, and among the best in the world.
2.That alone is something to be proud of. And now, you are about to represent our country on one of the world’s biggest stages for skills excellence. We are very proud of you, and we are behind you, all the way.
3.WorldSkills is a competition. It is also a celebration of what skilled, dedicated young people can achieve. Since its founding in 1950, WorldSkills has grown into a global movement comprising 90 member countries and regions, across 64 skill areas – from precision engineering and information technology, to baking, floristry, and many more.
4.We are living through a period of rapid change. AI and automation are reshaping industries. The nature of work is evolving faster than ever before. In this environment, you may wonder: does skills mastery still matter?
5.The answer is yes – more than ever. For Singapore, our participation in WorldSkills reflects something we deeply believe in. That skills mastery is a source of pride. What WorldSkills competitors develop is not just the technical proficiency. They have precision, problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure. These are skill and qualities that no technology can fully replicate – qualities that will always be in demand.
6.Our competitors today are living proof that skills excellence is not born overnight. The kind of tasks that they do under pressure, applying themselves with focus, with dedication, with precision, and a sense of excellence – it is like watching a sport – we may have tried it in our homes, in our businesses, in our lives sometimes, but you cannot imagine doing it at the level of skill, speed, precision and accuracy, under the kind of conditions that they do.
7.Imagine the hard work that they have put in, the discipline, the sacrifice, the perseverance, because that’s what it takes to reach that level of skills mastery. Behind each of them is a story of discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance. Where you are today and what you have achieved, is built through thousands of hours of practice, many attempts to try, sometimes to fail, and most importantly to try again – a belief that drives you, that what you do with your hands, your mind, your thoughts, and your will, is what truly matters.
8.And behind every competitor is also a team – coaches and educators who gave their time and expertise, who pushed you further than you thought you could go, and families who supported you every step of the way.
9.Take for example Winnalyn Tay from ITE College East. Inspired by the joy of helping others feel confident and beautiful, she pursued her passion in Beauty Therapy and challenged herself through WorldSkills training. She undertook long hours of practice and had that unwavering determination, and a spirit that all of them have. She represented Singapore at WorldSkills ASEAN and clinched a silver medal. Building on that success, she went on to achieve a gold medal at the Greater Bay International Asia competition, demonstrating resilience, excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement. Well done to Winnalyn and all of Team Singapore!
10.We also have Brandon Yap from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, whose journey is a testament to lifelong learning. Originally an ITE student specialising in Industrial Control, Brandon won the ASEANSkills Industrial Control in 2023. Brandon then chose to push beyond his comfort zone by pursuing another skill discipline in Electrical Engineering in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. His hard work, passion and commitment to learning paid off when he and his teammate emerged champions at WorldSkills Singapore 2025. Brandon’s story reminds us that growth comes from embracing new challenges and continuously upgrading our skills. Well done to Brandon and all your teammates.
11.Finally, I need to say a word to a very important part of the team – the trainers, coaches, and family members. You are an essential part of this team, an essential part of all the excellence and opportunity we have throughout our education system, and that is true today as well. Thank you for the hours you have invested, the encouragement you have given, and the sacrifices you have made. And most importantly, thank you for believing in our competitors, in our Team Singapore, and for helping them believe in themselves.
12.To all our competitors: go forth and compete with everything you have. Represent Singapore with pride, with skill, and with heart. Win or lose, know that the journey you have taken, the person you have become through it, and your presence here today is already a victory. Congratulations for getting here, and I hope to congratulate many of you thereafter. We will be cheering for you. All the best, Team Singapore!