The METASKILLS4TCLF project strengthened its international visibility in Milan through its participation in MICAM, LINEAPELLE and SIMAC TANNING TECH — three leading global events that bring together companies, technology providers, training institutions and key stakeholders from the footwear, leather and fashion manufacturing sectors.

Across all three fairs, the project presented its latest developments and highlighted how new skills, innovative training approaches and digital technologies are shaping the future of the Textile, Clothing, Leather and Footwear (TCLF) industries.

MICAM: Bridging Education, Industry and Future Skills
At MICAM, METASKILLS4TCLF was represented through the collaboration of , Politecnico Calzaturiero Scarl, Confindustria Accessori Moda, Fondazione PIN – Polo di Prato dell’Università di Firenze and SPIN 360. This joint presence showcased how education, industry and innovation can work together to anticipate future skills needs and create new learning pathways for the TCLF sectors. Partners engaged with visitors, companies and training organisations, reinforcing the importance of preparing the workforce for digital and sustainable transformation.

LINEAPELLE: Discussing National Skills Strategies and Immersive Learning At LINEAPELLE, METASKILLS4TCLF contributed to the talk “National Skills Strategy for the Future of the Made in Italy TCLF Fashion Manufacturing Sectors”, held on 15 September at the Fashion&Science Theatre in FIERAMILANO RHO. Organised by Confindustria Accessori Moda, in collaboration with Fondazione PIN, Politecnico Calzaturiero Scarl and SPIN 360, the session also featured contributions from CTCP – Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal, COTANCE and the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC).

The discussion highlighted the need for national and sectoral skills strategies capable of responding to technological, digital and environmental transitions. METASKILLS4TCLF brought a strong European perspective, connecting skills development with the broader transformation of the TCLF ecosystem.

Visitors at LINEAPELLE also had the opportunity to experience MetaLab – The Virtual Tannery, an immersive VR environment developed by COTANCE and the University of Lleida. Presented in the area dedicated to schools, MetaLab demonstrated how virtual reality can create engaging and effective learning experiences for the leather sector.

SIMAC TANNING TECH: Digital Technologies Transforming Training On 16 September, the project moved to SIMAC TANNING TECH with the talk “Digital Technologies for Training in the TCLF Sectors”, held on the Main Stage.

The session explored how digital tools — from virtual reality to interactive learning platforms — can transform vocational and professional training, making it more flexible, immersive and aligned with industry needs.

A key highlight was the official launch of the European Virtual Fashion Campus (https://europeanvirtualfashioncampus.com/), accompanied by demonstrations of virtual and augmented reality applications developed within METASKILLS4TCLF. These tools showcased how immersive environments can support practical learning, simulate real industrial processes and enhance skills acquisition.

Throughout SIMAC, the project was also present at the Innovation & Research Hub, where visitors could explore hands‑on demonstrations of the technologies and solutions created within METASKILLS4TCLF.

Strengthening the European Skills Agenda Across the TCLF Industries The participation of METASKILLS4TCLF in MICAM, LINEAPELLE and SIMAC TANNING TECH provided a valuable opportunity to connect the project’s work with international industry stakeholders and reinforce collaboration between companies, training providers, research organisations and European associations.

From skills strategies and innovative training methodologies to immersive technologies and the European Virtual Fashion Campus, the project demonstrated how education and digital innovation are essential to preparing the TCLF workforce for future challenges.

Through its network of European partners, METASKILLS4TCLF continues to promote cooperation between education and industry, supporting the development of the skills needed for a more innovative, digital and future‑ready TCLF sector.

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