European textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries received a boost with the TCLF SkillBridge Stakeholder Event. This initiative, co-funded by the European Commission, aims to bridge the skills gap by fostering regional partnerships between industries, education providers, and public authorities.

The project focuses on 25 European regions with a high concentration of TCLF businesses. By working regionally, SkillBridge can develop targeted reskilling and upskilling plans to meet each region's specific needs. The project will not only support the creation of these partnerships but also facilitate knowledge sharing and empower SMEs to adapt their workforce to industry changes.

SkillBridge complements two existing Erasmus+ initiatives, Aequalis4TCLF and Metaskills4TCLF, providing a comprehensive set of tools to address industry-wide skill challenges.

The stakeholder event featured experiences from the Emilia Romagna Region, Ateval, and Verband der DeutschenLederindustrie. An interactive session followed, focusing on strategies for successful partnership building under the Pact for Skills.

Industry leaders emphasized the importance of regional collaboration. Euratex Director General, Dirk Vantyghem, highlighted the project's focus on understanding regional needs and supporting SMEs.

Carmen Arias, Secretary General of CEC, stressed the role of education in workforce development and positioning TCLF industries competitively.

CotanceSecretary General, Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, spoke about offering mentorship to guide partnerships towards sustainable and competitive educational strategies.

This collaborative effort positions the EU's TCLF sector for a greener, more innovative, and resilient future.