Skills4Circularity - UPSKILLING AND RESKILLING THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY SECTOR TO FACE THE CHALLENGES IN RECYCLING, TRACEABILITY AND CERTIFICATION OF RECYCLED PRODUCTS

Skills4Circularity addresses critical skills shortages in the European textile industry by integrating circular economy principles, digital transformation, and sustainability into vocational and higher education. As industry transitions toward sustainable and circular economy principles, companies face significant challenges finding qualified professionals with expertise in eco-design and circular business models.The project will develop a comprehensive training ecosystem equipping the workforce with future-proof skills through innovative, modular programs including MOOCs, regional and international bootcamps, and interregional hackathons. These accessible learning opportunities (EQF levels 3-8) will foster cross-border collaboration between HEIs, VET, industry clusters, research centers, and policymakers to align education with industry needs. Central to the initiative is the Textile Skills Observatory to provide continuous skills intelligence, foresight analysis, and policy recommendations as a strategic tool to help stakeholders anticipate future requirements and adapt curricula accordingly. The project encompasses six objectives: delivering immediate upskilling through rapid-response masterclasses; conducting foresight analysis to identify emerging job profiles; implementing comprehensive training programs with hands-on learning and cutting-edge pedagogies; establishing a sustainable framework for skills monitoring and certification; creating an EQF-aligned micro-credentialing system facilitating skills recognition across Europe; and developing a Blueprint for Interregional Cooperation supporting policy integration and cross-sectoral collaboration. Skills4Circularity contributes directly to the Pact for Skills and the European Industrial Strategy. The project will equip professionals with green, digital, and entrepreneurial competencies, ensuring a competitive, circular, and innovation-driven textile industry that is resilient, sustainable, and future-ready.