Deliverable 3.2 of the AEQUALIS4TCLF project provides a detailed analysis of survey results and focus group discussions conducted in seven European countries: Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Serbia, and Slovenia. The objective is to identify skills gaps affecting the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries, highlighting specifically digital competences, sustainable practices, and essential transversal skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and effective problem-solving.
The findings reveal significant structural issues within the sector. Most notably, there is a clear misalignment between existing educational curricula and the practical requirements of TCLF
enterprises. Cooperation between educational institutions and industry remains limited, which hampers efforts to update curricula and implement responsive training. Stakeholders in both
industry and education identified a critical gap in this collaboration, highlighting the need for more structured dialogue to ensure curricula better reflect actual workplace demands.
Furthermore, the attractiveness of TCLF industries to potential younger entrants is negatively affected by prevailing outdated perceptions and unclear career advancement opportunities.
Combined with demographic challenges, particularly the ageing workforce, these factors significantly threaten the sectors’ future competitiveness and resilience.
External factors, including rapid technological changes and stringent regulatory demands related to sustainability, further increase pressures on companies and education providers. These external
drivers are reshaping skills requirements, making digital literacy, familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, and sustainable production practices increasingly essential.
In response to these challenges, stakeholders recommended several practical measures. First, curriculum updates that integrate contemporary digital tools and sustainability practices into
education programmes are crucial. Second, establishing structured collaboration platforms between education providers and industry will enable alignment between training programmes and actual industry demands. Third, targeted communication and awareness campaigns should enhance the sector’s visibility and attractiveness among young people, particularly emphasising emerging career paths and modern industry conditions.
These findings and recommendations form the foundation for subsequent project actions, including targeted curriculum revisions, practical training programmes, and evidence-based policy proposals.
The aim is support the sustainable development and enhanced competitiveness of the TCLF sectors across Europe.
