The European fashion industry will require 500,000 new employees by 2030. According to data from the European Commission, this situation is common to other sectors and will particularly affect countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

Aware of this reality, the Portuguese Footwear Association (APICCAPS) is currently running a ‘Knowledge Roadmap’ initiative in schools, with the aim of preparing future generations and attracting new talent. During the current school year, the programme has carried out activities in 39 schools and 58 classes, reaching over 1,000 pupils. Over the three years, the programme has reached more than 4,000 pupils. More specifically, visits have been made to schools in Felgueiras, Guimarães, Oliveira de Azeméis, Santa Maria da Feira and S. João da Madeira – the main centres of the footwear industry – since the start of the school year.

Initially, the initiatives were aimed at primary school pupils and aimed to “raise awareness of the potential of the footwear industry”, “promote the region and its activities”, and “boost the local industry”.  Later, the focus shifted to upper primary and middle school pupils, introducing them to the concept of the factory of the future.

“As the footwear and leather goods sector continues to evolve towards new levels of excellence, recruiting highly qualified professionals is a priority”, says Luís Onofre. According to the president of APICCAPS, “There are still several stereotypes in society relating to industrial sectors that need to be dispelled. Although this is not an issue unique to Portugal, there is work to be done at a local level”. Luís Onofre also emphasised the crucial role of local authorities in areas with a high concentration of the footwear industry.

This ‘Knowledge Roadmap’ is a three-year initiative that forms part of the Footwear Cluster’s 2030 Strategic Plan. It was developed as part of the BioShoes4All project.

Footwear Industry Open Day comes to Guimarães

To showcase the work carried out throughout the academic year, which sought – amongst other things – to stimulate pupils’ creativity and involve families, APICCAPS and CTCP organised the Footwear Industry Open Day.

As part of the planned activities, the Landscape Laboratory in Guimarães opened its doors, giving pupils and their families the opportunity to gain insight into the footwear industry through a dynamic, interactive programme.

On Saturday morning, participants could explore an exhibition of illustrations created by pupils, view this year’s winning sculptures up close and enjoy a unique technological experience in an immersive virtual reality exhibition. Alongside these displays, everyone present could test their skills in an Escape Game full of puzzles and adventure. 

The event culminated in a celebration of the young participants’ talent, with prizes being presented to the winning Caixa Mágica pupils, thus bringing another successful year of the Knowledge Roadmap to a close.