Two intensive training bootcamps dedicated to the future of leather goods manufacturing were held in July in Portugal and Spain as part of the Erasmus+ co-funded Learning Factories project. By ILM.

Organised to promote collaboration between vocational education and training (VET) institutions and industry, the events brought together teachers, trainers and project partners from Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Romania and Poland.

The first bootcamp took place from July 1-3 in São João da Madeira, a Portuguese town with a long-standing heritage in footwear production. Hosted by the Footwear Technological Centre, the programme featured technical visits, collaborative workshops and hands-on training.

The sessions addressed strategic priorities in the sector, such as sustainability and circularity, process digitalisation, 3D printing and the application of innovative learning methods in real workplace environments.

Later in the month, from July 22-24, the second bootcamp was held in Ubrique, Spain, a town recognised for its leather goods craftsmanship. Hosted by the Technological Leather Centre, the event focused on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence in design and patternmaking, digital transformation in high-value manufacturing and the integration of digital tools and e-learning into vocational training.

Participants also visited local factories to observe the complex production processes behind luxury leather handbags.

The Learning Factories project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.