Since 2018, 21 partners from nine countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain) representing textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industries, universities, VET providers and accreditation bodies have been implementing the ‘Skills4Smart TCLF Industries 2030’ project.

The project has modernised and made the European TCLF sectors more competitive by developing new qualifications (textile technologist, 3D CAD pattern maker, 3D CAD footwear developer, leather technologist and the so-called transversal qualifications: supply chain analyst, sustainability technician, digital marketing professional, processes and production timeline analyst), as well as by creating the TCLF skills strategy.

The new qualifications take into account transformations of the industry brought about by new technologies and digitalisation in fashion, as captured by the project research. The transversal qualifications also include competences on sustainability of production, e-commerce, the adequacy of supply chains in the context of globalisation and climate challenges.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) were created for each qualification, suitable for training in the context of COVID-19. A total of 213 lessons and 51 sets of exercises and assessments in 10 languages were adapted for online delivery, making use of a wide range of e-learning content, combined with suggested work-based activities, which will improve and consolidate the envisaged learning outcomes. The MOOCs are at EQF level 5 targeting initial VET learners as well as employees willing to upskill/reskill.