The Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (AVECAL) presented in November, at its headquarters, the Advanced Guide for 3D Printing Applied to Footwear, developed together with INESCOP, Spain’s leading technology and innovation centre for the footwear industry. This milestone aligns directly with AVECAL’s strengthened role as a key partner in the European project METASKILLS4TCLF, an initiative designed to transform the digital, green and strategic capabilities of the textile, clothing, leather, footwear and fashion (TCLF) sectors across Europe.

Funded by the Erasmus+ programme and aligned with the European Pact for Skills, METASKILLS4TCLF brings together more than 11 countries and 30 organisations to anticipate emerging skills needs, develop cutting-edge training resources and build an advanced European training ecosystem, including a Virtual Reality Campus.

The launch of the Advanced Guide for 3D Printing Applied to Footwear reinforces AVECAL’s commitment to accelerating the digital transition of the sector. More importantly, it acts as a contribution to the objectives of METASKILLS4TCLF, where digital tools, additive manufacturing and new learning methodologies are recognised as essential competencies for the future of the TCLF industries. The guide offers companies a technical foundation that complements the project’s mission to upskill and reskill the workforce toward advanced, technology-driven production models.

During the presentation, AVECAL’s president, Vicente Pastor, highlighted the strategic alignment between the guide and the footwear industry:
“The sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. To remain competitive, we must master tools such as 3D printing and advance in digital and sustainable skills. This guide has been created to reach every corner of our industry and to serve as a foundation, a training resource, and a source of inspiration for our companies.”

With this guide, AVECAL reinforces its commitment to promoting talent development, boosting competitiveness and supporting the innovative and sustainable evolution of the footwear sector—core pillars that directly contribute to the ambitions of the METASKILLS4TCLF project.