The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa has hosted members of the SiT Project (Sustainability in TCLF) in Madrid on November 13 and 14 of 2024, for the second project meeting. The IES Leonardo Da Vinci, an FPEmpresa-affiliated VET center, has served as the venue for this European meeting, where attendees observed the work of students specializing in Textile, Clothing and Leather studies, as well as their workshops featuring dyeing and fiber production machinery. Elena Argudo, Project Director at the Association, has emphasized “the importance of hosting the visit at a member center with such a rich history and commitment to international initiatives as IES Leonardo Da Vinci.”
Progress Updates and Achievements
During the sessions, project partners have provided updates on various work packages and the current status of each. Specifically, it was announced that the project successfully has secured 147 organizations as signatories to the Knowledge Triangle Agreement, aiming to foster effective collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and research centers—a cornerstone of the SiT project.
Additionally, it was revealed that over 625 companies and 90 vocational training centers has participated in a survey to identify the skills gap and training needs of vocational students in the textile sector. The survey results has highlighted two emerging professions, which will be the focus of new training curricula within the project. These professions, Biotextiles Technician and Waste Manager, are projected to play a crucial role in driving the ecological transformation of the industry.
Next Steps in the SiT Project
A significant part of the program has focused on upcoming actions within the SiT project. This November marks the start of Work Package 3, which will focus on curriculum and module development, as well as the creation of a network for certification, validation, recognition and accreditation of the training programs. The goal of these materials is to implement a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to enhance accessibility and impact within the textile sector. The MOOC is set to be developed throughout the coming year.
In addition, attendees has enjoyed an English-language tour of Madrid, led by VET students in Tourism Guidance, Information and Assistance from the Madrid School of Hospitality and Tourism as part of their practical training.
About the SiT Project
This initiative, coordinated by ITKAM – Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany, is part of the Erasmus+ funding program Alliance for Innovation and will run until January 31, 2027. The SiT project involves 15 partners from 8 European Union countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia and Slovakia.
The project’s objectives include promoting innovation in education, training and the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors. It focuses on the potential of the green transition and developing new training modules in educational institutions to address gaps in green skills.