LEAMAN - Manager in an Efficient and Innovative Leather Company

The leather industry, as a global industry, being highly dependent on access to raw materials and to export markets, is in a quickly changing business environment, which is particularly challenging for SME-dominated sectors, as are the leather and leather related ones. In order to remain competitive, businesses must be able to adapt to changes. Shortage of raw materials, the globalisation of production, environmental reasons, and the change of the profile of the leather industry outside EU, have caused a consequent change in the model for the leather production in Europe. However, Europe remains the leader in fashion, design and quality, as well as in leather science and technological innovation. There are opportunities in new technologies and new, innovative materials as well as in exports also as the demand in emerging markets is growing. Within that context, the necessary qualification requirements for working in the European leather industry must be redefined in order for the labour market to be reinvigorated with skilled professionals that will offer their full potential to the industry. Consequently, there is a need to restructure the leather production model across Europe towards an innovation and export oriented mentality. This change would require the leather manger to possess more and transverse skills, both technological and non-technological. Subsequently, the industry must better anticipate and manage change, and adapt to the future skills requirements. The paper presents the LEAMAN project aims and main outcomes that will result in better qualified professionals in the European leather and leather associated industries and promote both lifelong learning and equal opportunities in the knowledge-based society.