As part of the World Creativity and Innovation Week and an Annual School Orientation Event, the Portuguese Footwear Technology Centre (CTCP) carried out a series of initiatives aimed at bringing younger generations closer to the footwear industry.
Throughout April, CTCP organized Open Days in partner factories, offering students a first-hand experience of the innovation, design, and production processes that define the Portuguese footwear sector. These visits were part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about the value and creativity of the industry among young people.
CTCP also developed a Creative Easter Course for primary school students, focused on sustainability, creativity, and community. The programme included:
- Beach clean-up and recycling activities, raising awareness about environmental responsibility;
- Workshops on leather reuse, encouraging circular thinking;
- A guided visit to the ALOFT sole factory, offering a real-world view of footwear production;
- And a special family workshop at CTCP.
These experiences, which involved 45 children and some of their families, combined fun and learning while promoting values such as teamwork, innovation, and sustainable development.
In addition, CTCP held its Annual School Orientation Event at Vale de Cambra Secondary School on April 4th, reaching around 200 students who are currently exploring their professional paths. Through dynamic presentations and interactive sessions, the event highlighted the wide range of career opportunities within the footwear industry — from design and sustainability to technology and international trade.