Closing the Skills Gap: AEQUALIS4TCLF Partners Unite to Strengthen TCLF Education

On the 4th and 5th of February, representatives from 19 industry organisations, universities, and VET providers from Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Slovenia, gathered in Belgrade, Serbia, to advance the Erasmus+ Blueprint AEQUALIS4TCLF project. This ambitious initiative aims to equip Europe’s TCLF workforce with the essential skills needed to navigate the digital and green transitions within TCLF companies.

In coordination with the other Erasmus+ Blueprint project METASKILLS4TCLF which addresses other EU countries, AEQUALIS4TCLF aims to develop EU and national TCLF skills strategies to address skills gaps, anticipate new companies’ needs, and ensure their long-term competitiveness. For this purpose, the consortium will also develop new curricula and micro-credential training courses accompanied by innovative multilevel educational resources.

To tailor the project’s curricula and learning programmes effectively, the AEQUALIS4TCLF team previously launched a survey among TCLF companies and education providers to understand the current challenges they face in companies but also in classes. Key findings include:

• Most Lacking Skills in Graduates: Among 47 respondents from education providers, 23 identified problem-solving and critical thinking as the most crucial missing skill, while 17 highlighted management and leadership.
• Gaps in Education Curricula: Out of 45 respondents from education providers, 22 pointed to limited industry exposure as a key shortfall, while 19 cited the lack of modern technology and equipment.
• Anticipated Skill Requirements (Next 5–10 Years): Among 46 respondents from education providers, 18 predicted a growing demand for cross-disciplinary knowledge, and 11 foresaw a greater emphasis on sustainability.
• Out of 77 TCLF company respondents, 30 expected advanced machine operations to become increasingly important, while 22 emphasised environmental and sustainability awareness.
• Current Skill Priorities: Among 75 TCLF companies, 36 ranked technical skills related to TCLF as the most critical for their operations.

The nine curricula under development address different levels of the European Qualifications Framework ranging from level 3 to level 6 in various topics such as sustainability, digitalisation, manufacturing, and design. Once finalised, companies and education providers will be invited to validate the curricula before partners begin developing the respective programmes and curricula.

Beyond the classroom, AEQUALIS4TCLF aims to strengthen collaboration among public authorities, social partners, and education centres at the regional levels across Europe. On the one hand, through the development of the regional TCLF Pact for Skills, which addresses the specific challenges and opportunities of each regional economy, and on the other, the establishment of two European networks: one bringing together TCLF education providers to promote excellence and another engaging regional public authorities in the modernisation of TCLF education.

Stay updated and discover how to get involved in the project by visiting our website.

The AEQUALIS4TCLF project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.