Ageing workforce a priority as EU upskilling project advances
Partners from around Europe gathered in Pirmasens, Germany, a city renowned for its shoemaking heritage, to advance the Erasmus+ Blueprint MetaSkills4TCLF project.
The EU co-funded initiative aims to develop specialised training programmes focused on the green and digital transition in the textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries, equipping individuals with knowledge to thrive in a changing industry.
Work is currently under way on learning content for 36 curricula, focused on the circular economy and digital fashion. This will include e-books, immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences and 360° videos. Filming of industrial sites across various countries is already in progress.
Following the initial survey conducted in April 2024, the METASKILLS4TCLF consortium launched a second annual survey to assess the evolution of skills needs of European companies and education providers. The 256 responses revealed strong concerns about an ageing workforce and the pressing need for generational renewal. Between 31% and 50% of employees are estimated to require advanced digital skills.
More than half of all jobs are expected to require new digital or green skills within the next five years. Youth engagement remains a key issue, with 39% of respondents stating that young people perceive careers in the sector negatively, and 34% viewing perceptions as neutral.
To foster collaboration and ensure a highly skilled workforce, project partners are establishing several networks, which meet regularly to share best practices, collaborate and learn from one another.
METASKILLS4TCLF will also contribute to the upcoming EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform, which will be officially launched on May 16. The platform will provide stakeholders with access to essential information on EU policies, interactive workshops and webinars, networking opportunities, peer-learning experiences, and a space to connect with fellow industry actors.
In addition to planning future project activities, partners from Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Spain and Ukraine had the opportunity to visit the premises of PFI, a test and research centre in Pirmasens.
