written by Rosita Ungerank

Young talented professionals from all around the world will meet at WorldSkills in Shanghai from September 22 to 27, 2026. Manuel, the Swiss CNC milling champion, will represent Switzerland at the event. He completed his training as a polymechanic at Bucher Hydraulics in Neuheim, where he continues to work today.

Since qualifying for the competition at SwissSkills 2025, he has spent many hours training. By no means does this just involve working on CNC milling machines. It also involves competition simulations, new environments, time pressure, and mental strength.

Training under competition conditions

Highly realistic competition simulations have been an important part of his journey to Shanghai. An initial international training competition was held in Switzerland in May.

Those who ranked first from Switzerland, Germany, and Liechtenstein worked for several days under conditions that closely resemble those for WorldSkills.

New procedures, shift plans and limited time windows were deliberately built into the competition.

The next training competition took place in Germany in July. Together with participants from Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and the Czech Republic, Manuel had to deal with challenging tasks under time pressure.

Additional challenges included an unfamiliar environment and new machines.

The final dress rehearsal before Shanghai took place at the end of August in Liechtenstein. Once again, the aim was to work under highly realistic conditions and fine-tune the routines. The insights gained are now feeding into his final weeks of training.

Focus, team spirit, and mental strength

Besides precision and technical expertise, focus, flexibility, and the ability to work under time pressure are all key. These were the areas that Manuel focused on time and again over the last few months.

A further important aspect is mental preparation. Before taking part in a competition, Manuel mentally runs through what awaits him over the coming hours.

The SwissSkills National Team also plays an important role. The competitors spent several weekends in each other’s company, getting to know each other better, training together, and sharing experiences.

From the Team Weekend in Schwarzsee to the Competitor Weekends in St. Gallen and Tenero and the final Team Weekend in Nottwil, the young people gradually forged closer ties.

Although each of them will compete in their own discipline in Shanghai, they all have the same objective: to represent Switzerland at WorldSkills as well as they possibly can.

Heavy luggage

Taking part in WorldSkills also requires a great deal of organization, not least when it comes to the luggage.

Manuel will take around 400 kilos of tools with him to China.

Once fully packed, the total luggage amounts to 470 kilos and includes measuring tools, milling cutters, drills, toolholders, hand tools, and even a vice.

The final weeks before Shanghai

The date of departure is drawing closer. Manuel is making the most of the remaining time to work on the final details.

What is he most looking forward to?

Finally being able to demonstrate what he has learned and the moment when he turns in his final workpiece.

WorldSkills kicks off on September 22 in Shanghai. Then, the moment that Manuel has spent so long preparing for will arrive.

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