We are pleased to invite you to the final conference of the VETRINE project, which will be held in Paris at Plateau Fertile (Fashion Green Hub) on June 4, 2026.

The VETRINE project final conference will present the results of the Erasmus+ funded project – a curriculum to train students in sustainable garment design and manufacturing, and the real-world experience of garment production through company mentorship. An exhibition of sustainable garments made by participants accompanies the conference, with four projects being presented by winning students in participating countries.

Programme (Draft)

• 9:30-10:00 am / Arrival
• 10:00-10:20 / Welcome and introductions
• 10:20-10:40 / Project story (Eurotraining)

Deep-dives:

• 10:40-11:00 / Needs-based curriculum and certification process (AEG + Citeve)
• 11:00-11:20 / Digital tools and apps developed for learning (Novel)
• 11:20-11:40 / Pairing students and companies to make real projects (ATP)
• 11:40-12:00 / Sustainable fashion through our students’ eyes (TCBL)

12:00 – 12:40 / Winning student project pitches & Roundtable (moderated by TCBL)

12:40 – 13:00 / Conclusions and next steps

13:00 – 14:30 / Light lunch, exploring the exhibition and networking (in English and French)

Info and sign up

The event will be live streamed. The conference is in English. Zoom provides automatic subtitles.

Want a calendar reminder? Save this ICS!

Please sign up in the form below, or via the link, to reserve your spot either online or in person: https://forms.gle/fpVBEK8YLjmz1wRC9

The post June 4 2026: Vetrine Final Conference – From Sustainable T&C Training to your Wardrobe appeared first on Vetrine.

VETRINE is ready to reveal its latest digital tool in support of learning about sustainable fashion.

Please join us on Monday March 16 at 11am CET for a short presentation and live demo of the FashPass App.

The FashPass application:

• Showcases sustainable fashion products designed by emerging creators across Europe.
• Lets you explore each product and discover the story behind it — including design decisions, materials, and sustainability choices.
• Includes a “Product Passport” profile for every item, presenting structured product information and key sustainability highlights in an accessible way (in the spirit of a DPP).
• Features a personal diary for every product, capturing the journey from concept to final item and highlighting environmental, social, and financial aspects — including the designer’s reflections and decision-making process.
• Features a public voting section, where users can support their favourite sustainable fashion designs.

Mark your calendars and connect to this zoom link on March 16 at 11am!

The post Introducing FashPass / March 16 2026 event appeared first on Vetrine.

The Pirin-Tex factory

The company started as a small home tailoring workshop of the Rollmann family in Germany, 1922. Since 1993 the company moved to Gotse Delche, Bulgaria. Thanks to hard work, entrepreneurship, and an unrelenting desire for improvement, today the company is one of the largest clothing producers in Europe. Thanks to the trust, loyalty and cooperation of our employees, clients and partners, we manage to continuously enhance the scope of our operations. Therefore, we invest each year in the modernisation of our technologies and in the improvement of our work environment. Our objective is to continuously develop our production and keep pace with the newest requirements of the international markets, while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint of our activities.

The care for the environment and the protection of nature are our everyday tasks. Led by this conviction, the company has made significant investments in different sustainability projects over the years. We have ambitious goals that are embedded in our everyday work:

• to be garment producer №1 in Europe
• to be one of the drivers of innovations and technological progress in our sector
• to turn Industry 4.0 into reality in our production
• to provide good labour conditions and long-term perspectives for our young specialists
• to protect the nature, our employees and our clients from any harmful impacts resulting from our activities

How do we at PIRIN-TEX meet these goals and how can other companies in the garment sector seek a successful but also sustainable future?

Industry 4.0 in progress

First, recycling. We truly believe that it’s our duty to do minimise our activities’ impact on the planet Setting up an internal department for recycling is a best practice to apply. We gather, sort and bale over 95% of our textile, paper and plastic waste, and sell it as raw materials for the recycling industry.

Second, we consider waste water. In our own treatment plant, the waste water from our washing and dyeing department is purified mechanically, chemically and biologically and undergoes constant control against residues. Every day at over 100 measuring points in the factory, the consumption of electricity, gas, water, steam and compressed air is documented. Thus, changes in consumption and possible sources of loss can be identified and immediate maintenance or repair measure can be initiated.

Third is energy. In 2020 the first photovoltaic power plants installed and enlarged over the subsequent years. Our photovoltaic system covers about half of our electricity consumption and saves 1 470 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This corresponds to 37,565 newly planted trees. Very soon we will also be able to boast about 3 energy storage batteries. All of this is part of the long-term investment strategy of the company and the implementation of our policy for greater sustainability on the way to a green economy.

Investing in education

Last but not least, people are of enormous importance of the successful and sustainable development of a company. That’s why we invest in ensuring that they are trained and qualified. We organize training courses for our staff and various internship programs for future sustainable textile workers, that serve as a good bridge between the real working environment and learning. A very good option for this is the Green Vetrine course, which can be used by SMEs to align their staff to sustainability goals.

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My name is Mark Vèlez, I’m 26 years old and I’m from Zarauz, a little town in the north of Spain. I’ve always loved fashion, so I tried to find a school near my town, and I found it in Donostia, that’s in the north of the Basque Country of Spain.

My favourite parts of this industry are designing, sewing by hand, and patternmaking.

After my studies, I created my own brand called Darrk Studio (see my Instagram @darrk.studio), inspired by the fashion greats in my opinion, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and other designers.

I make mostly upcycling, so I recollect other garments from second hand stores and I convert it in my own fashion, deconstructed.

My final customer is unisex, I don’t care what gender is my customer. I make fashion for all bodies and all the people.

Right now I’m excited because I’m working on a new collection called, in Basque, Ezezaguna, that in English is Unknown. It’s going to be ten upcycled pieces, because I have been invited to a show in Tenerife. If you see from the photos, each item is unique, it’s a work of art, about structure and pattern and self expression.

If I had to give some advice to designers just starting out now, I’d say that you have to work a lot, to study a lot. You need to have knowledge in the field, the information that you need in the background in order to be successful making your own creations.

The post Interview with Mark Vélez, young designer of Darrk Studio appeared first on Vetrine.

3D printing space in Balab – AEG

3D printing in the sustainable development of textile processes

Using low-cost devices, rapid and accurate prototypes can be created for sectors such as casual fashion, healthcare, and workwear. But there are two major things to consider – which printer, and which material.

Choosing the right 3D printer. Assuming we are looking for low-cost devices, we can opt for FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) or DLP (Digital Light Processing) 3D printers, as they are the most affordable compared to other 3D printing technologies. These printers are suitable for producing fabric prototypes in plastic or other similar materials.

3D printers used in the manufacturing of all the fabrics, trimmings and rest of objects depicted in the picture gallery above.
(Photo: Carlos Alonso, Textile Dep., Centro de Estudios AEG-Ikastetxea)

The choice of printing material is the other crucial element for the textile sector. When selecting a 3D printer, you need to ensure that it is compatible with flexible and elastic materials, such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). These materials allow the printing of textile prototypes that resemble real fabrics in terms of flexibility and feel and can be obtained from other used objects, contributing to recycling efforts and hence sustainability. For instance, you can recycle food packaging, waterproof clothing, CDs and DVDs, cable insulation, water bottles to obtain TPU for your 3D printing filaments.

What skills do I need to use a 3D printer?

Operating a 3D printer requires a minimum level of technical knowledge, which varies depending on the printer model. Although it is not complex, it is not as simple as the name suggests. However, the main obstacle lies in creating the design to be printed. In order to create the design from scratch, knowledge of a 3D design programme (Blender, which is free, Solidworks, Rhinoceros 3D, etc.) is required.

Fortunately, there are websites such as Thingiverse and 3D CAD Browser with libraries containing a multitude of pre-designed products that can be downloaded for free. Therefore, not having knowledge of design software should not prevent us from taking advantage of the resources offered by a 3D printer.

Prototype design and validation textiles with 3D printers

When it comes to prototype design, in order to obtain optimal results, it is important to take into account the principles of prototype design specific to the textile sector. Above all, we must consider the shape, structure and details necessary for the type of garment we are going to produce. We can use several programs, like the free Tinkercad, Openscad, Freecad, or  3D Max Autodesk.

A collection of 3D casual fashion clothing in different colours, shapes and textures and
some Textile students below sporting the garments created with 3D printed fabrics and trimmings.
(Photos: Carlos Alonso, Textile Dep., Centro de Estudios AEG-Ikastetxea)

Once the design has been created, we must validate it. 3D manufacturing allows us to make any changes quickly in the design process and make adjustments as necessary. The first step is to print a prototype (one of the parts of the garment to be 3D printed) to evaluate its fit, comfort and functionality. This will help us to validate the designs and make improvements before moving on to mass production, if necessary. Today, mass production is very complicated due to many factors, but it is very suitable for small or customised productions.

Manufacturing textiles with 3D printers

3D manufacturing gives us a significant advantage in terms of customisation and adaptation, i.e. the ability to customise and adapt products to the specific needs of our customers. We can create unique objects that meet individual preferences such as customised compression garments for health purposes, work uniforms adapted to occupational needs, or fabrics for casual fashion clothing.

Before taking prototypes into a bigger production, it is important to carry out performance tests. This involves evaluating the strength, durability and other technical aspects of 3D-printed garments to ensure that they meet the standards required for their specific sector. All of this is improving day by day. At present, it has not been possible to characterise filament with certain textures and fabric behaviours, but progress is being made in this area.

2 examples of garments with soft 3D printed textiles. Photos by Carlos Alonso and Ana Olazabal,Centro de Estudios AEG-Ikastetxea

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Macro photo of Mycelium leather and other sculptures – ph. Sustainability directory

What is Bioeconomy?

At its core, the bioeconomy is an economic system that utilises renewable biological resources—such as plants, algae, and microorganisms—to produce food, materials, and energy. Unlike traditional industries that rely heavily on fossil fuels, the bioeconomy focuses on sustainability, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and promote circularity.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the bioeconomy already accounts for a significant portion of global GDP, and its impact is only growing. From food production to pharmaceuticals, the applications are vast—but textiles represent one of the most exciting frontiers.

The use of Bioeconomy in Textiles

The textile industry, known for its significant environmental impact, is undergoing a transformation through the adoption of bio-based materials. These materials are derived from renewable sources and are designed to be biodegradable or recyclable, addressing issues like microplastic pollution and excessive waste.

Innovations include:

• Mycelium-based leather: A sustainable, vegan alternative to animal and plastic leather, made from the branched, root-like network of fungal cells (mycelium) grown on agricultural waste like sawdust or wood chips.
• Algae-based fabrics: Sustainable textiles made from rapidly growing aquatic organisms, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials like cotton and polyester, offering biodegradability and reduced environmental impact.
• Agricultural waste fibers: Materials sourced from by-products like banana stems or pineapple leaves, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.

These advancements not only mitigate environmental harm but also open new avenues for creativity and design in the fashion industry.

The manual extraction of pineapple fibres (image, Wikipedia)

Why Is the Bioeconomy Gaining Momentum?

Several factors contribute to the rising prominence of the bioeconomy:

• Environmental Concerns: Growing awareness of climate change and pollution has led consumers and industries to seek sustainable alternatives.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations in biotechnology and materials science have made bio-based materials more accessible and cost-effective.
• Policy Support: Governments worldwide are implementing policies that encourage the development and adoption of bio-based solutions.

Greece’s Role in the Bioeconomy

Greece is making significant strides in the bioeconomy, particularly in the textile sector. The country actively participates in numerous European projects focused on textile recycling and the development of sustainable fabrics.

A notable example is the EU research project SUBBIMATT which focuses on developing bio-based and bio-inspired materials for smart technical textiles, aiming to address current and future energy and environmental challenges.

Vetrine partner CHIMAR Hellas participated in the RESYNTEX project (2015 – 2019), funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme (grant agreement 641942), that aimed to establish a circular economy model by converting post-consumer textile waste into valuable raw materials for the chemical and textile industries. The project focused on transforming non-wearable textile waste into secondary raw materials through industrial symbiosis, integrating textile recycling with chemical production processes. Within this initiative, Chimar contributed by developing protein-based thermosetting polymers. These polymers were synthesized by extracting proteins from textile waste, such as wool and denim, and utilizing them as partial replacements for phenol in phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins. This approach aimed to reduce the environmental impact of traditional adhesives used in wood-based panel production. Chimar’s research demonstrated that incorporating protein hydrolysates from textile waste into PF resins could replace up to 30% of phenol content, enhancing the sustainability of the adhesive without compromising performance. Additionally, textile fibers were tested as partial substitutes for wood, achieving up to 20% replacement, thereby promoting the use of recycled materials in wood-based panel manufacturing. The RESYNTEX project exemplifies innovative approaches to textile recycling, showcasing how waste materials can be repurposed to create sustainable products, such as bio-based adhesives for the wood industry. Chimar’s involvement highlights the potential for integrating circular economy principles into traditional manufacturing sectors, contributing to reduced environmental footprints and promoting resource efficiency.

In recent years, several Greek companies have also become leaders in textile recycling and sustainable materials, including RECYCOM, Fabric Republic, and KARATSIALIS BROS & CO.

Recognizing the importance of education in advancing the bioeconomy, several Greek universities have established Master’s programs dedicated to the Circular Bioeconomy, where sustainable textiles form part of the curriculum. These include:

• • University of Piraeus – Department of Economics – MSc in Bioeconomy, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development https://bioeconomics.edu.gr/?lang=en
  • University of Thessaly – Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences & Design – MSc in Multifunctional Management of Natural Ecosystems and Bio-economy https://msc-forest.fwsd.uth.gr/en/
  • International Hellenic University – MSc in Bioeconomy: Biotechnology and Law https://www.ihu.gr/ucips/postgraduate-programmes/bioeconomy
  • University of Aegean – Centre of Sustainable and Circular Bioeconomy https://bioeconomy.aegean.gr/

Beyond academia, several non-profit organizations have emerged to raise public awareness and promote collaboration between municipalities, businesses, and research institutions. One prominent example is the Circular Bioeconomy Hub (CBioHub) a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing circular bioeconomy practices across Greece through sustainable projects, innovative research, and community education.

Together, these initiatives, combining research, education, industry participation, and community engagement, position Greece as a key player in the European bioeconomy landscape, with the potential to influence global sustainability trends and drive innovation in the textile sector.

Career Opportunities in the Bioeconomy

The rise of the bioeconomy opens up diverse career paths:

• Biotechnologists and Material Scientists: Develop new bio-based fibers and materials.
• Sustainability Consultants: Advise companies on integrating sustainable practices into their operations.
• Product Designers: Create innovative products using bio-based materials.
• Policy Makers and Advocates: Shape regulations and promoting the adoption of bio-based solutions.
• Entrepreneurs: Establish startups focused on bio-based products and services.

The activities of the VETRINE EU project complement academic education by enabling young scientists to deepen their knowledge and specialize in the Circular Bioeconomy concepts of the textile sector. The project delivers training programs tailored to the skills required for green and circular jobs, aiming to bridge the gap between education and industry, promote sustainable entrepreneurship, and inspire young professionals to develop innovative bio-based business ideas. VETRINE’s initiatives also foster collaboration among universities, SMEs, and policy actors, contributing to the development of regional bioeconomy networks across Europe. Through these actions, the project enhances employability in sectors such as bio-based textiles, agri-food innovation, green chemistry, and renewable materials, aligning seamlessly with Greece’s growing expertise and leadership in these fields.

Looking Ahead

The convergence of environmental awareness, technological innovation, and supportive policies is propelling the bioeconomy into the spotlight. As industries, including textiles, embrace bio-based solutions, they contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy.

For consumers, this shift means access to products that are not only innovative and stylish but also environmentally responsible. By supporting brands and initiatives that prioritize bio-based materials, individuals can play a pivotal role in driving the transition towards a more sustainable future.

Dr Electra Papadopoulou
Senior Researcher-Bioeconomy expert
CHIMAR HELLAS SA

Main photo credit: Mycelium leather (creative commons) from https://lifestyle.sustainability-directory.com/term/mycelium-leather

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Vetrine was present with a standup-poster at the Ecosystex conference

VETRINE recently joined the European textile project ecosystem, as the ECOSYSTEX network expanded its scope to include EU-funded projects in the field of skills and education, strengthening the link between innovation, workforce development, and the green and digital transition of the TCLF sectors.

Pedro Gonçalves from EURATEX, presented the 17th Insight Series of ECOSYSTEX focused on textile skills. It is the official launch of the Skills & Education Working Group, where VETRINE was mentioned in front of the conference. It was highlighted as one of the main themes of ECOSYSTEX.

The new education projects admitted into Ecosystex

During the conference, there were very meaningful discussions on innovation and research regarding textile from six featured projects (PESCO-UP, SOLSTICE, Textended, Hemp4Circularity, BioFibreLoop, Whitecycle). These projects are developing circular textile hubs, 5R strategies, piloting with the use of sustainable materials, lignin use, mixed-waste innovation and enzymatic recycling in Europe.

VETRINE’s participation in ECOSYSTEX 2025 highlights its growing role in the European textile ecosystem, bridging innovation, skills development, and sustainability. By engaging with other pioneering projects and contributing to discussions on circularity, digitalization, and resource efficiency, VETRINE reinforces its commitment to supporting the green and digital transition of the TCLF sectors across Europe.

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At the recent conference Bio-Fashion Innovation Day organized by VETRINE partner TCBL at Avantex / Texworld fair in Paris, Vetrine participated in an inspiring roundtable on how innovative learning programs can accelerate sustainable fashion. Bringing together educators, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe, the discussion explored how we can prepare the next generation of designers, workers, and entrepreneurs for an industry in urgent need of transformation. You can watch the video here, or read the summary below.

From VET to Sustainability: The EuroTraining Approach

Christina Stamatiki, project manager at EuroTraining in Greece, opened with a perspective from vocational education. Her organization is one of the largest training centers in the country, with long experience in fields like the green economy and entrepreneurship. For her, stepping into sustainable fashion was a “natural” progression, since textiles sit at the intersection of these themes.

She presented the Vetrine project, which introduces sustainability, entrepreneurship, and digitalization into training for future designers. Early research showed a striking gap: students were eager to learn about sustainability but lacked reliable resources, while companies recognized the issue yet faced barriers such as costs and a shortage of skilled staff. Schools, meanwhile, rarely offer courses focused on sustainability. Vetrine’s goal is to fill this void by providing validated training and helping students bring their own sustainable product ideas to life.

Christina Stamatiki in the roundtable

Beyond Technical Training: The Case for Interdisciplinarity

Dr. Eszter Cscepe-Bannert, founder of KEDU in Germany, argued that vocational training cannot stop at technical know-how. While Germany’s dual education system—linking schools and companies—is admired worldwide, she said it needs updating for today’s challenges. Training should also involve universities, research institutes, and community organizations, and it must integrate ethics and sustainability as much as skills with materials or machines.

Cscepe described her team’s work in creating training modules that can be plugged into schools more flexibly than traditional curricula allow. Crucially, they translate complex research into accessible lessons. One exercise she uses with students is to calculate the labor time and wages needed to produce something as simple as a bag. The result always surprises them: the true price would be far higher than the market pays, which makes the issue of sustainability tangible and personal.

Data, AI, and the Supply Chain Lens

On the academic side, Professor Iragael Joly of Grenoble INP in France spoke about how artificial intelligence and digital tools can reshape supply chains. His focus is on training master’s and doctoral students to see production as a whole system—from conception to recycling.

For Joly, AI is not just about algorithms; it is about understanding needs across the chain. His students are trained to interview firms, define problems, and design solutions that are both technical and social. By combining digital optimization with stakeholder perspectives, they learn that sustainability cannot be solved by code alone.

Tools for Business and Hands-On Learning

Bringing in the industry view, Marianna Maglara, an ESG consultant with two decades of experience, highlighted the materiality matrix as an invaluable tool for companies. By mapping stakeholders and their concerns, businesses can identify where their environmental and social impacts really matter. As she put it, a luxury brand might obsess over packaging while its stakeholders are far more concerned with labor conditions.

She also shared experiences from European projects where students followed a structured learning journey into sustainability and eco-design before testing their ideas in a Fab Lab in Portugal. The result? Teams prototyped low-carbon shoes with sustainable materials—showing how theory and practice can reinforce each other. For her, AI can support this process too, serving as a “scenario builder” to simulate risks or future conditions. But she cautioned: it should be an assistant, not a replacement for human judgment.

Alexandra Korey presenting VETRINE at Avantex

Within the context of the same day’s talks, VETRINE partner TCBL’s Alexandra Korey, communication officer, also presented a series of tools that can be used by businesses as well as in VET training, many of which come from EU-funded projects. Indeed, she showed the public composed of SMEs and designers the Green VETRINE project, which was appreciated for its potential to provide free training on specific information that SMEs today really need.

Shared Reflections: A Journey, Not a Sprint

The panel closed with a set of thoughtful reflections. Stamatiki reminded the audience of the value of “living slow,” recognizing the people behind sustainable practices. Scepe warned against slipping into “autopilot” with AI, stressing the need for critical engagement. Joly added that AI should always be considered within its economic, environmental, and social context, and that collaboration is the only way to manage such complexity. Maglara concluded with perhaps the most memorable metaphor: sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint. The road is long, and missteps are inevitable, but even failures can become opportunities for learning.

This roundtable made one thing clear: if fashion is to become sustainable, education must change first. From vocational training and research to industry tools and hands-on labs, the next generation of learning is already taking shape—and it is collaborative, critical, and deeply committed to the future.

The post Avantex roundtable: Innovative Learning for a Sustainable Future appeared first on Vetrine.

Proven benefits of active learning

A space for active learning at Citeve

A meta-analysis of 225 studies in science, engineering, and mathematics concluded that active learning reduces failure rates from about 33% to 22% and significantly improves academic performance (Freeman et al., 2014). [2] Research also shows that this model promotes greater engagement, deeper understanding, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Active teaching practices examples

• Problem-Based Learning: solving real problems in groups.
• Case studies: analyzing scenarios and applying theory.
• Flipped classroom: studying content beforehand to free up class time for discussion and practice.
• Peer teaching: students explain concepts to each other.
• Role-play and simulations: exploring perspectives in practical contexts.
• Think, Pair, Share: individual reflection, discussion in pairs, and sharing in groups.

The role of technology in active learning

The Citeve Digital Skills learning center

Digital tools can make active learning even more engaging. At CITEVE, the Digital Skills Learning Center – a new feature of the CITEVE Academy – emerges as a technological response to the challenges of digital innovation and transition, as well as to the demands of current and future professionals in the textile and apparel sector driven by Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

It combines a new teaching platform for e-learning, blended learning, and self-learning with physical spaces, including:

• A hybrid training room;
• A technology room;
• An agile room fostering inspiration, creation, and collaborative work;
• A multimedia studio for photography, video, webinars, podcasts, and videocasts;
• A control room equipped with cameras, audio systems, interactive monitors, streaming, broadcasting, and content editing facilities;
• Experimentation laboratories with the latest equipment and software, designed to enhance interaction between trainers and trainees and support participatory training methodologies, both in-person and remotely.

Technology enriches training, but the Centre brings more than technology; it brings a new methodological approach.

Challenges and prospects

Despite its advantages, active learning requires a change in mindset, greater preparation, teacher training, and adequate resources. However, it represents an important step towards more student-centred education systems, emphasising active learning to stimulate creativity and critical thinking.

Active learning is more than a practice: it is a paradigm shift. By placing the student at the heart of the process, it makes learning more interactive, dynamic and meaningful, better preparing students for the challenges of professional and personal life.

The conclusions are very clear: when students are encouraged to explore, question and collaborate, they achieve a deeper understanding and more solid skills for life outside the classroom. The challenge for educators and institutions is to create environments that support these approaches — through a careful pedagogical model, technological tools, and a willingness to embrace change. In doing so, they will not only make learning more effective, but also more enjoyable and empowering for the next generations of students.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Rogers, C. R. (1969). Freedom to Learn: A View of What Education Might Become. C. E. Merrill Publishing Company.

[2] Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(23), 8410–8415. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111

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Spain’s textile sector, which contributes nearly 3% of national GDP and employs over 130,000 people, exemplifies the broader European trend: the transition from traditional methods to high-performance, sustainable production models. To remain competitive, companies must incorporate digital technologies, circular economy principles, and eco-design expertise. This evolution requires new professional profiles, such as sustainability managers, digital pattern makers, data analysts, and textile engineers specialised in recycled and bio-based materials.

However, a significant challenge persists. Many companies, particularly SMEs, are facing labour shortages in key areas, including production, design, and logistics. At the same time, recent graduates often report a mismatch between academic training and industry needs. Curricula frequently lack practical components, such as access to modern laboratories, internships, or updated training in tools like CAD or 3D design software—especially relevant as many small and medium-sized enterprises have yet to fully adopt these technologies. As a result, students feel underprepared for real-world innovation and sustainability challenges.

Bridging this gap calls for a systemic response. Public and private stakeholders must collaborate to improve access to vocational and higher education aligned with the evolving needs of the textile industry. Initiatives like the EU-funded VETRINE project—where Texfor is an active partner—are essential to this effort. By strengthening regional innovation hubs, promoting work-based learning, and developing dual training programmes, these collaborations help ensure that young talent is equipped with the technical and transversal skills required by today’s textile companies.

Beyond technical proficiency, younger professionals seek work environments that reflect their values. Surveys indicate that students prioritise companies with strong commitments to sustainability, ethical practices, and professional development opportunities. They value being treated as respected contributors from the start of their careers and appreciate access to training, mentorship, and creative projects that influence product development or sustainability strategy.

The industry must respond to these expectations not only to attract new talent but also to ensure its retention and development. Investing in skills acceleration teams, launching mentorship programmes, and fostering a collaborative workplace culture are key steps to integrate new professionals and ensure knowledge transfer across generations.

In short, the textile sector offers meaningful career opportunities for young people across Europe, anchored in creativity, technological innovation and sustainability. By aligning education, training, and workplace values, the industry can cultivate a skilled, motivated, and resilient workforce. This transformation is not only a necessity but also a chance to redefine the future of textiles as a driver of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

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