JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association, a public interest incorporated association) is now recruiting representatives for the new “Industrial Design Technology” event at the WorldSkills
Competition, the Olympics of skills! Supporting young designers’ global challenges
JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association, Public Interest
Incorporated Association) Press Release: October 3, 2025 JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association, a public interest incorporated association) is now accepting
applications for representatives in the newly established “Industrial Design Technology” category of the WorldSkills Competition, the Olympics of skills! Supporting young designers as they take on the world stage. The WorldSkills Competition, attracting global attention, attracts over 1,000 competitors from over 80 countries and regions. JIDA is accepting applications for the Industrial Design Technology category, which is open to applicants aged 25 or under, until October 31, 2025.
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https://idt-worldskills.jida.or.jp/ The WorldSkills Competition, also known as the “Olympics of Skills,” began in 1950 and has since grown into the world’s largest skills competition. Held every two years, young skilled workers from various countries and regions compete against each other to demonstrate their skills, as well as to promote vocational training and international exchange. Currently, the competition attracts over 1,000 competitors from over 80 countries and regions, garnering global attention. Participants in the Industrial Design Technology category must be 25 years of age or younger. The “Industrial Design Technology” category, officially established at the 2024 Lyon Games, is a skills competition that combines design and engineering to balance product functionality and aesthetics. Japan will participate for the first time at the 2026 Shanghai Games and is scheduled to participate at the 2028 Aichi Games, providing a valuable platform for young Japanese designers to challenge the world. At the request of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Japan Human Resources Development Association (JAVADA), JIDA will implement a development program for national team members and support them in achieving success at international competitions, promoting the value of Japanese design to the world and contributing to the evolution and development of industry and society. https://www.jida.or.jp
WorldSkills (Shanghai 2026) – Industrial Design Technology Division Representative Selection Guidelines JIDA will be holding the selection process for the Industrial Design Technology Division of the WorldSkills (Shanghai 2026). 【Eligible Designers】 – Japanese nationals – Must be under 25 years old at the time of the Shanghai competition (September 22-27, 2026) – Must be able to participate in the competition on-site – Must have studied and practiced industrial design and product design on a daily basis – Must be skilled in product design using 3D CAD Reference video URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GorCesdBjmw&t=176s 【About Application】 ・How to Apply: Please apply via the website below. https://idt-worldskills.jida.or.jp/ ・Submission: Portfolio of your work (PDF data: 10MB or less) ・Deadline: October 31, 2025 Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-1106b2a256c2538497a1bddaea297c94-1655×1655.png What is the WorldSkills Competition? The WorldSkills Competition, also known as the WorldSkills Competition in English, has a charter and its purpose is to promote vocational training in participating countries and foster international exchange and friendship among young skilled workers. The competition is generally held every two years. Japan has hosted the 19th competition in 1970 (Tokyo and Chiba), the 28th competition in 1985 (Osaka), and the 39th competition in 2007 (Shizuoka, held simultaneously with the International Abilympics as the 2007 WorldSkills for Universal Use). Furthermore, for the 46th competition (special event) in 2022, Kyoto will host competitions in three trade categories, as one of the host countries/regions. For many occupations, selection of Japan’s representatives for international competitions takes place at the National Skills Competition held the year before the international competition. The winner (outstanding performer) who meets the eligibility requirements (in the Industrial Design Technology category, the participant must be under 25 years old in the year of the competition) is selected to represent Japan. For occupations not held at the National Skills Competition, the respective industry associations and other organizations hold selection meetings to select the participants. Job Definition: Industrial Design Technology
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-069e04c28eff79157ebb791429fa0332-1578×836.png Industrial design technology combines design and engineering to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of consumer products. Industrial Design Technology is ideal for people interested in the following: – People who want to express their creativity and enjoy tackling complex problems – People who are interested in manufacturing – People who want to use computers to design and prototype
Mass-consumer products require both functionality and design. This is the role of Industrial Design Technology, the function that ensures that new products are technically manufacturable, meet market needs, and can be sold at the right price. About JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-4595f0f151db6419012a80aa0da218d6-2282×2282.png Designing beyond Design Create a Mindful Future, Together. JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association, Public Interest Incorporated
Association) is a public interest incorporated association established in 1952 as Japan’s first national design organization to promote industrial design. Industrial design has always played new roles over the years. Our mission is to preserve this expertise, explore the direction of change, and create new value for the social environment, business, and more. In 2021, the association changed its name to the current Japan Industrial Design Association, Public Interest Incorporated Association, and adopted the vision, “Designing beyond Design Create a Mindful Future, Together.” In the expanding field of design, we are working every day to create an active community as a public interest incorporated association that goes beyond the professional role of designers to educate society and the public about design. https://www.jida.or.jp
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-70d3b7e44066c8b2973fe60207e52ca6-3900×2087.png ■JIDA membership composition https://www.jida.or.jp/members With the aim of creating a spiritually enriching future, we collaborate with experts, educators, government officials, and business leaders from a wide range of fields, with a view to expanding the field of design into lifestyles, experiences, and services, to engage in co-creation activities that contribute to the evolution and development of industry and society. ▶Regular members: Approximately 500 individuals, approximately 20 organizations and corporations Individuals who agree with the aims of the association and have three or more years of experience in industrial design and related professional work, as well as companies and organizations engaged in related businesses. ▶Supporting members: Approximately 70 corporations and organizations, approximately 20 individuals. ▶Student members: Annually. About joining JIDA https://www.jida.or.jp/about/join About the “JIDA Design Certification”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-714627c9429a4da616c41f9ef154d3c4-3226×773.png The JIDA Design Certification Examination (formerly the PD
Certification Examination) is administered by JIDA (Japan Industrial Design Association, a public interest incorporated association) as a “measure for acquiring basic knowledge about design, with a focus on product design.” https://jida-design-kentei.studio.site/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-807a36b86f9c0c8e9b075ac7e8dfc8ac-956×638.png [For everyone involved in planning, management, and development] Design knowledge is essential for creating attractive products and various solutions. The broad knowledge you gain through this certification will be useful not only in design but also in solving a variety of problems.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-adc46bbfbdf2186210471fceb686e3b0-956×630.png [General Education] Acquiring design knowledge and sensibilities as part of your general education will help you understand the various issues you encounter in your daily life and work, and will help you create new solutions. [For those aspiring to become designers] This can be used as a goal or indicator for career advancement. It can also serve as proof of your design knowledge level when job hunting.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/99962/11/99962-11-9b4e4ea46447d014a3a30217d3f7549c-958×640.png [For those involved in design education] This can be used to measure the effectiveness of design education and for credit recognition. By sending many students who pass the test out into society, you can expect to improve your credibility and reputation as an educational institution.
