Partners of the Erasmus+ Learning Factories project met in Poznań, Poland on 19 March 2026 to mark the final meeting of a Europe wide effort to improve vocational training in the leather goods industry.
The initiative brought together organisations from Spain, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Belgium to align training with company needs and prepare the sector for green and digital shifts.
The Learning Factories project focused on placing leather goods SMEs at the centre of vocational education and training. It built close cooperation between companies and public and private VET providers to develop high-quality short-term IVET and CVET programmes that are flexible and industry-driven.
The training covered areas like zero-waste design, AI-supported design and pattern making, 3D printing for prototyping and digital transformation in value-added manufacturing.
A key outcome is a new set of learning content that uses AI tools and video resources to attract and retain talent while building skills for future industry needs.
The programme includes an AI-powered chatbot that answers questions on both course content and the leather goods sector.
Learners also follow a blended model that combines written materials with AI-enhanced videos. Before starting, participants complete an interactive self-assessment questionnaire that evaluates their existing knowledge and offers tailored guidance.
The project was presented at institutions like the Amsterdam Fashion School under the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. More than 70 students from over 16 countries explored the programme, received contacts of leather goods companies in Ubrique, Spain and worked on designing artistic bags and converting them into commercial products to present to the Ubrique delegation.
“This project shows that when companies are placed at the heart of training, real transformation happens. Learning Factories is not only addressing current skills gaps, but actively shaping a more sustainable, digital, and resilient future for the leather goods industry across Europe.”
– Carmen Arias, Secretary General, European Footwear Confederation
The project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, will now expand its reach through online and in-person events to drive adoption across Europe.
