THE AEQUALIS4TCLF project: What do TCLF companies need in terms of education? You can help us!

On the 11^th and 12^th of September, Vilnius became the hub of innovation and collaboration for Europe’s textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries. Representatives from 19 public and private organisations across eight countries — Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Serbia, and Slovenia — gathered to advance the game-changing Erasmus+ Blueprint AEQUALIS4TCLF project. This initiative is at the forefront of equipping Europe’s TCLF workforce with the vital skills needed to navigate the digital and green transitions that are reshaping the global economy.

In a world where sustainability and technology are redefining industries, AEQUALIS4TCLF is tackling the challenge head-on. Project partners will design cutting-edge curricula and learning resources to ensure that upper and post-secondary vocational education and training (VET) and tertiary students are equipped with the green and digital skills necessary for the future of these sectors. These efforts are needed to support the industries’ transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy — a priority for businesses striving to stay competitive and eco-conscious.

During the Vilnius’ meeting, partners delved into the first findings of an insightful survey targeting education institutions and companies aimed at assessing the current and future skills and training needs. The insights gained will shape the project’s educational curricula and respective training programmes, ensuring they are both practical and future-proof. The project team is calling on more TCLF companies and education providers in these countries to participate in this ongoing survey accessible HERE.

Beyond the classroom, AEQUALIS4TCLF is fostering collaboration between public authorities, social partners, and education centres with the aim to develop national skills strategies that define objectives and activities to ensure a sustainable competitiveness of these industries. Moreover, the project recognises that public authorities play a key role in shaping the future of the workforce, and for this purpose, partners will foster regional and national public-private skills alliances (Pacts for Skills), where stakeholders will collaborate to strengthen the modernisation of education systems that guarantee a highly skilled workforce.

To support this effort, public authorities, companies and educational institutions across Europe will be invited to a series of webinars and workshops throughout the project’s lifecycle. These sessions will not only showcase the project’s outcomes that will be available but will also provide a platform for stakeholders to give feedback, exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on future initiatives.

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

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