Explore the skills shaping the TCLF sectors
Transversal skillsProblem-solving & critical thinkingHigh
Problem-solving is both demanded now and missing in the talent pipeline.
Observed demand
- solve problems19.9%(62/312)
- think analytically14.4%(45/312)
Declared gap
- Problem-solving and critical thinking64.9%(61/94, 2025)
- Problem-solving50.0%(32/64, 2025)
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
- Advanced problem-solving40.6%(26/64, 2025)
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · textile quality manager · textile product developer · textile machine operator · textile, leather and footwear researcher
Transversal skillsTeamwork & communicationHigh
Teamwork is the most recurrent behavioural skill in TCLF job ads.
Observed demand
- teamwork principles29.5%(92/312)
- communication15.1%(47/312)
- cooperate with colleagues8.7%(27/312)
Declared gap
- Soft skills (communication, teamwork)30.9%(29/94, 2025)
- Soft skills (communication, teamwork)31.3%(20/64, 2025)
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · textile quality technician · textile designer · textile machine operator · textile product developer
Transversal skillsLanguages & international communicationHigh
English appears in almost one third of the analysed job ads.
Observed demand
- English30.8%(96/312)
- German5.1%(16/312)
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · textile product developer · textile quality manager · clothing technologist · sustainability manager
Transversal skillsAdaptability, initiative & continuous improvementMedium-high
Adaptability connects operational resilience with continuous improvement.
Observed demand
- adapt to change10.3%(32/312)
- think proactively7.4%(23/312)
- continuous improvement philosophies5.1%(16/312)
Declared gap
- Adaptability40.6%(26/64, 2025)
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: textile quality manager · textile machine operator · textile designer · textile, leather and footwear researcher · sewing machinist
Technical & vocational skillsTextile technologies & industrial processesHigh
Technical textile knowledge remains the backbone of emerging hybrid profiles.
Observed demand
- textile technologies10.9%(34/312)
- textile industry9.9%(31/312)
- control textile process6.4%(20/312)
- schedule production6.7%(21/312)
Declared gap
- Technical skills (specific)46.8%(44/94, 2025)
- Technical skills related to TCLF57.8%(37/64, 2025)
Training urgency
- Efficient production58.8%(100/170)92.9% find it relevant
Future relevance
- Advanced machine operation46.9%(30/64, 2025)
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · textile machine operator · textile product developer · textile quality manager · textile quality technician
Technical & vocational skillsQuality control & assuranceHigh
Quality skills form a bridge across technical, production and management roles.
Observed demand
- conduct quality control analysis16.7%(52/312)
- quality assurance methodologies6.7%(21/312)
- oversee quality control5.8%(18/312)
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- Product and process certification40.4%(69/171)91.8% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · textile machine operator · textile quality technician · textile quality manager · textile product developer
Digital skillsDigital literacy & productivity toolsHigh
The digital skills gap is rising while training coverage stays limited.
Observed demand
- use Microsoft Office12.5%(39/312)
- use spreadsheets software7.4%(23/312)
Declared gap
- Digital literacy33.0%(31/94, 2025)
- Digital literacy43.8%(28/64, 2025)
- Moderate-or-higher digital skills gap69.5%(157/226, 2026)
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
- Software proficiency46.9%(30/64, 2025)
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · sustainability manager · textile product developer · textile quality technician · agricultural inspector
Digital skillsArtificial intelligence, IoT & connected productionHigh
AI is gaining perceived impact faster than other monitored technologies.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- IoT and artificial intelligence47.3%(80/169)89.3% find it relevant
- Digitalisation and connected production49.7%(84/169)90.5% find it relevant
Future relevance
- AI rated high impact61.2%(164/268, 2026)
- Digital supply chain rated high impact56.8%(134/236, 2026)
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · sustainability manager · textile product developer
Digital skillsDigital design, CAD & product developmentMedium-high
Digital design skills connect product development, patternmaking and design roles.
Observed demand
- create patterns for garments5.8%(18/312)
- create patterns for textile products1.3%(4/312)
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
- Digital design tools rated high impact54.7%(129/236, 2026)
Profiles that require it: clothing technologist · textile product developer · textile designer · clothing CAD patternmaker · fashion designer
Green skillsRegulation, certification & environmental complianceHigh
Regulation is the strongest urgent training signal in the circularity survey.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- Eco-design legislation and regulation63.8%(111/174)96.0% find it relevant
- Sustainable manufacturing legislation and regulation63.6%(110/173)96.5% find it relevant
- Recycling legislation and regulation60.3%(105/174)90.2% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: sustainability manager · textile quality manager · textile product developer
Green skillsLife-cycle assessment & environmental footprintHigh
LCA and environmental footprinting are among the most urgent green learning needs.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- Life-cycle assessment and environmental footprint60.6%(106/175)93.7% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: sustainability manager · textile quality technician · textile product developer
Green skillsTraceability & Digital Product PassportHigh
Traceability and the Digital Product Passport form a joint green-digital priority.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- Traceability54.1%(92/170)92.4% find it relevant
- Digital Product Passport51.7%(89/172)89.0% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: sustainability manager · textile technologist · textile product developer
Green skillsResource efficiency, waste reduction & circular productionHigh
Circular production skills are moving from awareness to operational capability.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
- Environmental and sustainability awareness56.3%(36/64, 2025)
Training urgency
- Resource use: energy, water and materials51.2%(88/172)93.0% find it relevant
- Waste-free and waste-reduced production57.6%(98/170)92.4% find it relevant
- Efficient production58.8%(100/170)92.9% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: sustainability manager · textile technologist · textile quality technician
Green skillsRecyclability, sorting & recycling technologiesMedium-high
Recyclability and preparation rank above specialised recycling processes.
Observed demand
No signal for this lens.
Declared gap
No signal for this lens.
Training urgency
- Recyclability52.9%(90/170)89.4% find it relevant
- Preparation for recycling49.7%(84/169)85.2% find it relevant
- Sorting38.2%(65/170)73.5% find it relevant
- Mechanical recycling36.5%(61/167)73.7% find it relevant
Future relevance
No signal for this lens.
Profiles that require it: sustainability manager · textile machine operator · textile finishing machine operator
Transversal skillsLeadership & project managementMedium-high
Leadership skills grow more relevant as technical roles become cross-functional.
Observed demand
- project management7.4%(23/312)
- lead others7.1%(22/312)
Declared gap
- Management and leadership23.4%(22/94, 2025)
Training urgency
No signal for this lens.
Future relevance
- Leadership and management39.1%(25/64, 2025)
Profiles that require it: textile technologist · project manager · product development manager · textile designer · textile product developer
Observed demand from job ads and declared gaps from surveys, kept as separate signals.
Job ads mentioning English (ESCO)
30.8% (96 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Partner-collected sample; count per unique ad.
Job ads mentioning teamwork principles (ESCO)
29.5% (92 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Count per unique ad.
Job ads mentioning solve problems (ESCO)
19.9% (62 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Count per unique ad.
Moderate-or-higher digital skills gap in the workforce
69.5% (157 / 226)
+9.0 pp vs 2025 (60.5% to 69.5%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Valid base differs from the total N; independent samples.
Problem-solving named as a gap among graduates
64.9% (61 / 94)
+16.9 pp vs 2024 (48.0% to 64.9%)
AEQUALIS4TCLF · Multi-select question.
AI rated high impact on the future of the sector
60.7% (164 / 270)
+13.4 pp vs 2025 (47.3% to 60.7%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Part of a four-technology matrix.
Most requested skills
Share of 312 job advertisements that mention each ESCO skill. Colour marks the skill category — click a bar for its country spread and the profiles that require it.
| # | Skill (ESCO) | Category | Job ads | Share | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Transversal skills | 96 | 30.8% | 11 |
| 2 | teamwork principles | Transversal skills | 92 | 29.5% | 10 |
| 3 | solve problems | Transversal skills | 62 | 19.9% | 9 |
| 4 | attend to detail | Transversal skills | 58 | 18.6% | 11 |
| 5 | conduct quality control analysis | Technical & vocational skills | 52 | 16.7% | 10 |
| 6 | communication | Transversal skills | 47 | 15.1% | 11 |
| 7 | think analytically | Transversal skills | 45 | 14.4% | 9 |
| 8 | use Microsoft Office | Digital skills | 39 | 12.5% | 9 |
| 9 | organise information, objects and resources | Transversal skills | 34 | 10.9% | 10 |
| 10 | textile technologies | Technical & vocational skills | 34 | 10.9% | 10 |
| 11 | adapt to change | Transversal skills | 32 | 10.3% | 10 |
| 12 | textile industry | Technical & vocational skills | 31 | 9.9% | 10 |
| 13 | cooperate with colleagues | Transversal skills | 27 | 8.7% | 9 |
| 14 | follow reporting procedures | Transversal skills | 23 | 7.4% | 4 |
| 15 | project management | Transversal skills | 23 | 7.4% | 10 |
| 16 | think proactively | Transversal skills | 23 | 7.4% | 8 |
| 17 | use spreadsheets software | Digital skills | 23 | 7.4% | 10 |
| 18 | lead others | Transversal skills | 22 | 7.1% | 8 |
| 19 | quality assurance methodologies | Technical & vocational skills | 21 | 6.7% | 10 |
| 20 | schedule production | Technical & vocational skills | 21 | 6.7% | 8 |
| 21 | control textile process | Technical & vocational skills | 20 | 6.4% | 10 |
| 22 | work independently | Transversal skills | 20 | 6.4% | 5 |
| 23 | create patterns for garments | Technical & vocational skills | 18 | 5.8% | 7 |
| 24 | oversee quality control | Technical & vocational skills | 18 | 5.8% | 8 |
| 25 | monitor machine operations | Technical & vocational skills | 17 | 5.4% | 6 |
| 26 | sew pieces of fabric | Technical & vocational skills | 17 | 5.4% | 8 |
| 27 | continuous improvement philosophies | Transversal skills | 16 | 5.1% | 7 |
| 28 | German | Transversal skills | 16 | 5.1% | 6 |
| 29 | manage a team | Transversal skills | 16 | 5.1% | 6 |
| 30 | textile materials | Technical & vocational skills | 15 | 4.8% | 8 |
Count of unique job advertisements. ESCO occupation match ≥ 0.70, skill match ≥ 0.80. Observed demand — not a measure of the whole European labour market (2025).