Addressing Skills Gaps in the European Textile, Clothing, Leather and Footwear Industries, Emphasizing Equality, Innovation, and Resilience

2026-07-22

The AEQUALIS4TCLF Blueprint project aims to address the skills gap in the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) sector in the European Union. The project involves relevant stakeholders such as industry representatives, chambers of commerce, employers’ associations, Higher Education (HE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers from seven European countries: Czechia, Croatia, Lithuania, Finland, Netherlands, Slovenia, and Serbia. The project has two main objectives. The first objective is to expand the reach of the METASKILLS4TCLF and S4STCLF Blueprint projects from 11 countries to 18 through the AEQUALIS4TCLF project, unifying Europe in skilling and reskilling the TCLF workforce. This will enable the TCLF industry to better prepare for the future and achieve a sustainable and circular economy. The second objective is to address the skills gap in the TCLF industry by promoting partnerships, identifying specific skills needed, and developing new curricula for a more sustainable and digital industry. It also supports social inclusion, safety, and compliance through integrated workshops and guidelines. By working together towards these objectives, the project will position these countries as leaders in sustainable and innovative production models, contributing significantly to the TCLF sector in the EU.

Belgium

2025-10-15