Launched: April 2026
The challenge
Sweden’s textile, fashion, leather and footwear sectors are changing fast. In the Borås region, companies need to adapt to circular production, digital tools, automation, traceability and new sustainability rules.
At the same time, employers face skills shortages in areas such as textile recycling, fibre technology, digital design and automation. Many also struggle to recruit technical specialists, sustainability experts and workers with strong digital skills.
The region is moving towards a more knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. But this shift is made harder by an ageing workforce and low interest in textile education and training among young people.
Cooperation between businesses, education providers and public authorities also needs to improve. Stronger cooperation will help the region respond better to changing skills needs.
The ambition
This new Regional Skills Partnership aims to make the Borås region and Sweden a leading Nordic hub for skills and innovation in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector.
By 2030, the partnership aims to
- give workers the skills needed to meet EU sustainability and digitalisation requirements
- strengthen cooperation between education, research and industry
- make careers in textile and fashion more attractive
- build a stronger and more joined-up regional skills system
The partnership supports regional and national strategies, including the Borås Region skills platform and Västra Götaland’s industrial transition strategies. It also supports wider EU action for the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector.
The commitments
The partnership has committed to a set of actions to close skills gaps and support the sector’s transition.
It will set up a regional skills intelligence system to collect and share information on changing skills needs, especially in circular production, digitalisation and new rules.
It will also develop new training courses and micro-credentials in areas such as circular textiles, digital product development, traceability, automation and textile recycling technologies.
In addition, it will create a Regional Skills Hub to support work-based learning, lifelong learning and skills matching, with a strong focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. The partnership will also expand apprenticeship and internship opportunities across the sector.
The impact
To deliver these commitments, the partnership will carry out regular skills assessments, organise stakeholder forums and knowledge-sharing events, and strengthen cooperation between companies, education providers and public authorities.
It will also promote careers in textile and fashion through targeted outreach activities. This will help attract new talent and raise the profile of the sector.
By 2030, the partnership aims to
- support 600 people through upskilling and reskilling
- engage 200 companies in cooperation activities
- increase apprenticeship placements and widen participation across the sector
- build a strong and growing partnership network across the region
View the document below to learn more about the Regional Skills Partnership for Circular Textile & Fashion in Borås’ region.
