For this purpose, the consortium has developed a wide range of online learning resources designed for footwear companies, future professionals, and educators. These resources are available in English, Romanian, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, and focus on five key profiles within the sector:

• Footwear Technical Manager
• Footwear Manufacturing Operator
• Footwear Designer/Pattern Maker
• Maintenance Technician
• i5.0 Footwear Architect – a newly defined profile that integrates the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required by Industry 5.0.

Learners can start by using the Shoe 5.0 Scanning Tool, which generates their personalised training plan. The Training Programme, hosted on the project website, includes 15 modules with presentations, infographics, and videos. Each module corresponds to 100 hours of studies and aligns with EQF level 5 or 6. Furthermore, there is a mobile app (for Android and iOS) featuring an augmented reality (AR) educational game linked to each module that complements the programme. A dedicated training manual for trainers is also available, helping them better support trainees throughout the learning journey.

Beyond training, the project has produced several studies, including:

• A report on how Industry 5.0 can apply to the European footwear sector.
• An analysis of the key workforce profiles required for the industry’s future.
• A study on customised training plans tailored to different skills and learning needs.

You can follow the latest updates on the project’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and access the full training programme through the Shoe 5.0 website.

The Shoe 5.0 project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.