Union of Skills
Investing in people to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness
The Union of Skills is the European Commission’s flagship initiative to equip people with the knowledge and competences needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. It places skills at the centre of Europe’s competitiveness agenda, supporting innovation, quality jobs and sustainable growth by helping citizens develop the skills required throughout their working lives.
The initiative promotes stronger cooperation between industry, education providers, social partners and public authorities to anticipate labour market needs, reduce skills shortages and create more responsive education and training systems. It also encourages lifelong learning, vocational excellence, skills intelligence and greater recognition of qualifications and micro-credentials across Europe.
The TCLF Skills Alliance contribution
The TCLF Skills Alliance directly contributes to the objectives of the Union of Skills by developing sector-specific solutions that respond to the evolving needs of the textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) ecosystem.
Working through the EU Pact for Skills, the Alliance supports businesses, workers and education providers by:
- promoting upskilling and reskilling to prepare the workforce for the green and digital transition;
- strengthening cooperation between industry and education to ensure training reflects current and future skills needs;
- supporting Regional Skills Partnerships that bring together local stakeholders to address regional labour market challenges;
- developing innovative learning opportunities, including vocational education and training, higher education, lifelong learning and micro-credentials;
- sharing skills intelligence, best practices and practical tools that help organisations anticipate future workforce needs.
Through collaborative projects and a growing European network of stakeholders, the TCLF Skills Alliance helps translate the ambitions of the Union of Skills into concrete actions that strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and attractiveness of the TCLF sectors.