The European SiT project (Sustainability in TCLF) has completed Phase 3 in Spain, focused on Work-Based Learning, through the organisation of an international agenda in Italy aimed at Vocational Education and Training students and teachers from the professional field of Textiles, Clothing and Leather. This stage was once again coordinated by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona (CCIB), with the support and organisation of the Politecnico Calzaturiero in Vigonza, a leading institution in specialised technical training for the textile, footwear and leather goods sectors.
Following the completion of Phase 2 of the pilot programme in Spain, which focused on specialised training and the development of sustainable business plans, this third phase has made it possible to take a further step in connecting education and industry. The student mobility took place from 3 to 16 May 2026 and included a two-week face-to-face training programme in Italy.
During the first week, students worked on content related to knitwear, such as trends, materials, weaving techniques, machinery, printing, finishing and knitwear pattern-making. The second week focused on footwear and leather goods, covering aspects such as footwear construction, materials, prototyping, hand stitching, the manufacture of leather goods products and applied digitalisation.
In parallel, 12 teachers took part in a job shadowing stay from 3 to 9 May, aimed at gaining first-hand insight into the Italian Vocational Education and Training model and the relationship between training centres, companies and the industrial district. The programme included observation activities in knitwear, footwear and leather goods workshops, as well as content related to sustainability, transversal skills, 2D and 3D digital design tools — used to create and develop patterns, prototypes and products before manufacturing — and artificial intelligence applied to creativity.
An immersion in the Italian value chain
The experience combined training sessions, company visits and cultural activities linked to the productive identity of the region. During the first week, 15 students and 12 teachers took part in activities at the Politecnico Calzaturiero, visits to the Villa Foscarini Museum, Tessitura Bevilacqua and Mocenigo Palace, as well as to companies such as Henderson and OTS. The programme also included an event at Villa Pisani focused on the Riviera del Brenta and its relationship with design, beauty, culture and identity.
The second week, aimed at students, explored technical and sustainability-related content in greater depth through sessions on eco-design, sustainability, knitwear processes, footwear design and garment making. In addition, Villa Foscarini Rossi hosted a meeting on corporate sustainability, focused on eco-design, quality and durability as values within the Italian supply chain (ESG).
Thanks to this third phase of the project, students have been able to gain insight into real production processes, learn about different specialisations within the sector and understand how sustainability, digitalisation and innovation are transforming the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries. For teachers, the mobility represented an opportunity to observe applied training methodologies and explore possible transfers to the Spanish educational context.
Although Phase 3 has now concluded in Spain, the SiT project remains active in other participating countries. In the Spanish case, this stage strengthens the pathway initiated through online training and the projects developed in previous phases, consolidating an approach that connects learning, business and the green and digital transition.
Finally, the Spanish pilot of Work Package 4 of the SiT project will culminate with the international bootcamp in Greece, linked to Phase 2 and held during the week of 25 May. This final activity will bring together the people selected within the pathway developed in Spain and will serve as the closing stage of the process promoted by FPEmpresa and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona.
Author: The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa, Communications Team (Institutional publication)