The project main objective is to build a sustainable approach to the dual vocational training System in Portugal, Spain and Germany, applied to the footwear industry. We expect to transfer the actual referential that is the German Dual Training System and adapt it to the Portuguese and Spanish reality, focus on the footwear industry. In terms of the footwear industry the implementation in Germany has not yet taken place concerning the dual system and this will be an opportunity to test it also in this sector. By setting the basis for a future implementation of the dual training system in the partners’ countries we will fulfill the following objectives: - Boost skills and employability; - Modernize education, training and youth work; - Increase the job opportunities for young people. According to the study “In-depth assessment of the situation of the European Footwear sector and prospects for its future development” prepared for DG Enterprises & Industry (EC – 2012), the second most challenged mentioned by companies, when asked the challenges they will face in the next 5 years, were the availability of skilled staff. This proves that Lifelong learning has become a necessity in handling with rapid social, technological and economic changes and ageing population. Furthermore, considering the serious situation of youth unemployment in European countries, national governments need to change the way of integrating young people into the labour market and ensure their permanence in the medium term. These policies must improve the match between supply and demand for labour in order to reduce youth exclusion in the market, while simultaneously meeting the needs of businesses in terms of job profile. Concerning the project work plan, we will create a new training curricula based on the dual training system and we will make a pilot implementation to see what is the reaction of the target audience. During this phase we will invite relevant stakeholders and national authorities to examine the benefits and impact of the dual system applied in Portugal and Spain, trying to get the recognition of this system. The partnership gathered combines a balanced mix of skills and expertise, namely 3 Shoes Technological Centers which are representatives from SMEs from the Footwear Industry and recognized as Competence Centre for the Footwear Industry that develops training especially for enterprises, 2 Higher Education institutions with a large expertise in the development and implementation of pedagogical studies, 1 consultancy company with background in daily business activities namely training and dissemination bringing important assets to the project in terms of project management. The impact and benefits of the dual vocational training system can be seen in the trainee perspective and also in the SMEs perspective. Companies can influence the training contents of the careers that they are seeking; will reduce the cost of recruitment; will ensure that the next generation of workers will be properly trained. In the trainee side they will obtain a specialized and relevant training aligned to the job market; will acquire a range of technical and social skills, which positively influence their personality; will get in contact motivating with a working reality and practical training.