The project Skills4Smart TCLF 2030, co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme, aims to develop innovative learning methods to attract and upskill workers of the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) companies in Europe, which represent a combined annual turnover of over 200 billion euros and employ 2 million people in the European Union.

Under the guidance of the three umbrella organizations Euratex, CEC and Cotance, the 21 public and private partners of the TCLF sectors of 11 EU Member States held their second meeting in Elda on the 19^th and 20^th of June to take stock of the first outcomes, which were to set up a community of diverse category of stakeholders (companies, education, policy makers, etc.) committed to supporting skills anticipation and development in TCLF, essential for successful and sustainable industries, which can further contribute to their respective regional development.

The agenda concentrated particularly on the most efficient way to cooperate with companies and Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers to ensure the skilled workforce of the future. For such a purpose, partners will organise two focus groups: one with business leaders who will validate the research, profiles and training programmes produced by the partners, and a second Group of VET providers among which will be identified a network of centres working towards excellence in VET across different regions in Europe.

With the very fast changes in our society and industry thanks to digitalisation and new technologies, VET centres indeed represent the cornerstone of a skilled workforce. However, in order to succeed, they need to be equipped with innovative material and learning methods, be able to engage the knowledgeable young learners, and at the same time respond rapidly to companies’ needs. A network of VET centres of excellence across Europe, keen on cooperating and working on the update of curricula and programme offers accompanied by a quality assurance plan granting the merited recognition of diplomas, will guarantee a skilled and talented workforce for the future TCLF industries.

This project outcome falls within the overall TCLF Skills Strategy to anticipate skills needs and deliver innovative education that partners will deliver within the project. Other outcomes include a new sectoral identity and communication campaign to attract and retain young people to replace the ageing workforce, and the development of 8 new transnational VET profiles and respective curricula and training programmes to address new companies’ needs.

                      

More information at www.s4tclfblueprint.eu