Li Qian made his WorldSkills debut 15 years ago as one of China's first competitors on the global stage. Today, he is helping train the country's next generation of champions. His journey from competitor to coach reflects China's remarkable progress in international skills competitions.
Li was born in Jiangxi Province in 1989 and moved to Guangdong with his family after junior high school. In 2007, he enrolled at Guangzhou Industry and Trade Technician College to study Computer Network Technology. In 2011, he topped China's national selection and represented the country at the 41st WorldSkills Competition in London.
During the competition, a technical error prevented him from successfully submitting one of his key modules, costing him valuable points. Despite the setback, Li remained composed and finished sixth in the world, an achievement that strengthened his determination to help more young people pursue excellence through skills.
After returning to China, Li became a WorldSkills coach and has served on China’s coaching team from the 43rd to the 47th competitions. In 2022, one of his students won China's first-ever gold medal in Mobile Applications Development at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.
Today, Li continues to mentor young competitors. While competitions may end, he believes that standards, experience, and a passion for skills are passed down from one generation to the next.
Reporter: Xie Maishi
Source: Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security
