By AVECAL- ASOCIACIÓN VALENCIANA DE EMPRESARIOS DEL CALZADO

In the framework of the METASKILLS4TCLF project, a series of Focus Group sessions have been held in April in all participating countries, attended by key informants from which a series of conclusions have been drawn that are of utmost importance to the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) industry.

We would like to go one step further to look at the skills of the future and delve into the TCLF sector ongoing evolution, already transitioning to a new phase: Industry 5.0. The fundamental paradigm of Industry 5.0 is the harmonious integration between humans and machines, where both collaborate efficiently and effectively in the production pro-cess. Unlike earlier stages of the industrial revolution, where automation and technology often replaced human labour, Industry 5.0 seeks to maximise the strengths of both: the precision, speed, and consistency of machines, along with the creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills of humans.

In this prototype, workers are not replaced by technology, but become active partners in the manufacturing process. Advanced technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), collaborative robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), empowers workers to perform more complex and varied tasks, while machines perform the repetitive and physically demanding tasks. This collaboration results in greater efficiency, quality, and flexibility in production. In addition, Industry 5.0 also promotes mass customisation, where products can be tailored to individual consumer needs and preferences, thanks to the ability of ad-vanced technologies to manage small batches or even produce unique parts at a com-petitive cost.

In short, the fundamental paradigm of Industry 5.0 is the harmonious collaboration be-tween humans and machines, where both parties complement each other to achieve more efficient, flexible, and customised production.

The move from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 implies a significant evolution in the way production systems are conceived, designed, and operated, and therefore a significant evolution in the required skills within the TCLF sector:

• Increased Human-Machine Integration: While Industry 4.0 focused on auto-mation and connectivity of production systems, Industry 5.0 emphasises collab-oration and integration between humans and machines. This implies a greater emphasis on improved human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and the implementa-tion of technologies that facilitate direct human-robot interaction, such as collab-orative robotics.

• Mass Customisation: Industry 5.0 focuses on the ability to produce highly cus-tomised products on a large scale. This implies greater flexibility in manufactur-ing processes, enabling the production of small batches or even one-off parts in a cost-effective manner. Mass customisation is achieved through digitisation and supply chain flexibility, as well as the use of technologies such as additive man-ufacturing and artificial intelligence.

• Focus on Sustainability: The transition to Industry 5.0 also implies an in-creased focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This is re-flected in the adoption of more sustainable manufacturing practices, the use of recycled materials and the optimisation of production processes to reduce waste and minimise environmental impact.

• Increased Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics: Industry 5.0 further lev-erages artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimise production processes and improve decision-making. This includes the implementation of autonomous manufacturing systems, prediction of machine maintenance and real-time opti-misation of production workflows.

• Decentralisation of Production: Industry 5.0 could also drive decentralisation of production, with distributed and localised manufacturing closer to markets and end consumers. This is facilitated by the adoption of technologies that ena-ble agile and flexible production in multiple locations, as well as real-time col-laboration between different production sites.

In short, the move from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 implies an evolution towards more collaborative, flexible, customized, and sustainable production systems, leveraging ad-vanced technologies and fostering deeper integration between humans and machines. This paradigm shift is particularly pertinent within the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear sector, where our project's focus on cultivating new skills essential for the digi-tal and green transition, coupled with innovative learning methodologies aimed at en-gaging younger generations, will catalyse transformative progress towards future-ready, resilient industries.

By AVECAL- ASOCIACIÓN VALENCIANA DE EMPRESARIOS DEL CALZADO