EARLALL – European Association of Regional & Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning

WEBINAR Textiles, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) Industries Skills Analysis: Understanding skills challenges and opportunities in TCLF Industries across European regions The TCLF industries are part of what is known as the textile ecosystem. This includes the production of textiles, apparel, footwear, leather, and jewellery. These industries employ 2.2 million workers, with 99.5% being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. TCLF industries face challenges in upskilling and reskilling the workforce, especially with 750,000 employees expected to retire by 2030. Some of the challenges of the TCLF ‘ industries include skills gaps and shortages due to an ageing workforce, a mismatch between education and industry needs, digitalisation, and a low level of worker mobility. As in other sectors explored previously in EARLALL’s webinars, the attractiveness and retention of a skilled workforce represent the most urgent challenge. To address these, the European Commission launched the Pact for Skills Partnership in the TCLF, bringing together industry associations, companies, trade unions, vocational education/training providers, and regional authorities to mobilise the textile ecosystem to upskill and reskill the workforce. Additionally, these industries are carefully planning for their future by drafting strategies to create a greener and more competitive textiles sector, as stated in the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles (March 2022). What are the European initiatives planned to support industries in overcoming these challenges? What are the opportunities within the sector? What strategies and initiatives are EU regions putting in place to contribute to a sustainable future? In this webinar, lifelong learning experts will provide insights into the skills opportunities and challenges faced by the textiles ecosystems, encompassing a wide range of professionals from TCLF industries to policymakers and public authorities designing projects and initiatives to upskill and reskill the workforce.