February 2026, UdL

The textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries—renowned for their craftsmanship, innovation, and material expertise—are undergoing rapid transformation. Sustainability goals, digital technologies, and evolving workforce demands are reshaping how the sector operates. As consumer expectations shift and sustainability becomes non-negotiable, companies increasingly need professionals who combine traditional skills with cutting-edge digital competencies. Yet a gap remains between academic preparation and industry needs.

Traditionally, TCLF education has focused on design aesthetics, pattern making, material science, and production techniques. While these foundations remain essential, they are no longer enough. Students must now be prepared to work with circular production approaches and digital transformation - including AI integration, and fully transparent supply chains - while also understanding the complex regulatory framework of their industry and being able to anticipate future developments. Many graduates enter the workforce with limited experience in these emerging areas, creating a mismatch that affects both employability and innovation.

Within the METASKILLS project, universities, VET providers, clusters, municipalities, and industry partners are collaborating to redesign curricula and training programs to meet today’s evolving skills requirements. As a result, university-industry partnerships are emerging as a powerful solution: students gain hands-on experience, while companies gain access to well-trained talent who can contribute effectively from day one.

The industry’s current demands are diverse. Graduates are expected to have expertise in sustainable material innovation, lifecycle assessment, digital product passports, virtual showrooms, and augmented retail experiences. They must think systemically about product longevity, repair services, and end-of-life solutions within a circular economy framework. Additionally, the ability to leverage data analytics while preserving the quality and creativity that define the TCLF sectors has become a critical skill.

As part of METASKILLS, universities and VET providers are embedding practical, project-based learning into their programs. Students collaborate directly with TCLF companies on real-world challenges, from designing circular solutions to creating virtual prototypes. These partnerships benefit everyone: students gain practical experience and professional networks, educational institutions keep curricula relevant, and companies discover new talent while tackling innovation challenges.

Immersive technologies are proving particularly promising. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are transforming how students learn and how the industry operates. VR allows students to explore virtual tanneries, textile mills, footwear factories, or garment workshops, understanding complex production processes without geographical limits. They can practice sophisticated techniques in safe, repeatable environments, accelerating skill development while reducing material waste. AR enables students to visualize sustainable materials in finished products, test design modifications, and understand entire product lifecycles.

For companies, these technologies are equally transformative. Virtual showrooms let brands showcase collections globally, reducing the environmental impact of physical samples and travel. AR try-on experiences boost customer engagement and reduce returns. Digital twins - virtual replicas of physical products - support precise customization and repair services, extending product lifespans—an essential part of a circular fashion system.

The shift to a circular economy is fundamental for TCLF industries, moving them from a linear "make-use-dispose" model to regenerative systems where materials retain their value. Education must prepare students to design for longevity, modularity, and recyclability. This includes working with natural materials such as leather, wool, and cotton, alongside innovative materials from waste streams, as well as developing take-back and refurbishment programs and creating product-as-service business models.

Training in circular principles is more than environmental compliance—it’s a competitive advantage. Consumers increasingly demand transparency and responsibility, making circular expertise vital for brand credibility and market positioning. Students who master these principles will be in high demand, becoming agents of change and driving innovation from within organizations.

Digital tools further support circular ambitions. Blockchain enables traceability, artificial intelligence optimizes resource efficiency, and digital platforms connect products to repair and resale networks. Combining digital and circular skills equips professionals to lead TCLF’s sustainable transformation.

Immersive technologies also enhance collaboration across the value chain. Designers, artisans, sustainability experts, and marketers can work together in virtual spaces, iterating rapidly while minimizing travel and physical prototyping. This mirrors the interconnected thinking needed in circular systems, where end-of-life considerations inform design from the start.

Now is the moment to step into the future of the European TCLF sectors. The METASKILLS project embodies this holistic approach, integrating circular economy principles with advanced digital competencies. By providing hands-on experience with VR and AR, the project prepares students for a future where craftsmanship and digital innovation go hand in hand. Students learn to envision full product lifecycles, design for multiple use cycles, and communicate sustainability narratives through immersive digital experiences.

But Metaskills4TCLF is more than a set of innovative micro-courses. Education providers can join a growing EU network shaping tomorrow’s talent, while companies and regional authorities are invited to take an active role in developing new TCLF Regional Skills Partnerships across Europe.

Whether you want to learn, teach, innovate, or collaborate, Metaskills4TCLF is your opportunity to help build a more circular, digital, and socially responsible Europe.

Join us — and be part of the change