TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taitung’s St. Joseph Technical High School won two gold medals at WorldSkills Asia Taipei last week, showcasing Taiwan’s vocational education on the international stage.

The three-day competition, held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, brought together delegations from 31 countries with more than 300 young competitors. St. Joseph alumni Chen Liang-wei (陳亮維) and Chen Chi-sheng (陳祈聖) in furniture earned top honors for precise techniques and execution, per CNA.

Chen Liang-wei, a graduate of the furniture carpentry program, said material differences forced him to recalculate measurements under pressure in the door and window category. He credited his teachers’ guidance for his success, saying the medal was earned together.

Chen Chi-sheng, a graduate from the interior space design program and now at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, overcame complex joinery challenges in the furniture competition. “I’m from Taitung, but this proves that with practice, even rural students can be Asia’s best,” he said.

St. Joseph said the two gold medalists built a solid foundation during their studies. Principal Li Kung-jung (李恭榮) said the school will promote industry-academic collaboration to inspire students to showcase their skills globally.

“St. Joseph can do it, and so can Taitung’s vocational education,” he added.