WorldSkills 2026: German Automotive Painter Wins Award
At the 2026 WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, 21-year-old Noah Seiler competed against other automotive painters from around the world. For his outstanding performance, he received the “Medal for Excellence,” which is awarded to painters who score over 700 points.
At the 48th WorldSkills Competition, 1,400 skilled workers from 70 countries traveled to Shanghai to showcase their skills in a total of 64 occupational disciplines and raise awareness of their professions. Twenty-four countries participated in the Car Painting category. Representing Germany’s automotive painting trade, Noah Seiler from Lower Saxony competed and successfully represented Germany on the international stage. The closing ceremony was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The bronze medal went to Oisin McKerr from the United Kingdom, the silver medal to Pawaret Wohanluek from Thailand, and with 774 points, Libo Duan from China was crowned world champion in automotive painting. Noah finished in 10th place with 711 points.
WorldSkills Challenges Young Automotive Painters
The tasks at WorldSkills remain secret until the competition begins. From removing dents and scratches to executing sophisticated design paint jobs, the young automotive painters must demonstrate their full range of skills. Noah had trained for months for this competition and had traveled to China, Canada, and Denmark for training sessions and friendly competitions. Right up until the competition, his coach Mariusz Dechnig and the national team—including 2024 World Championship silver medalist Jason Scherer—provided him with advice and support. The next international competition, EuroSkills, will take place in Düsseldorf in September 2027. Which member of the national automotive paint finishing team will represent the trade there will be decided in the spring. The national automotive paint finishing team is supported by a number of dedicated sponsors. Automechanika Frankfurt, Carbon, DAT, Dräger, Fix Auto, Miracle, Nora Zentrum Wolfsburg, and SchöffelPro accompanied Noah and the other team members on their journey to world-class status. Glasurit provided support with paint materials and training, while Sata organized the Sata Challenge as part of the preparation.
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