A model that starts locally and looks beyond: national growth and partnerships with luxury fashion houses and international schools to meet the needs of the industry
In Ancona, at Palazzo Li Madou, institutions and businesses gathered to discuss the Accademia HModa Footwear’s trajectory and the sector’s future prospects
A press conference dedicated to the results and outlook for the footwear industry by Accademia HModa—the training arm of the HModa Group—was held today at the Marche Regional Government offices. In attendance were Regional Councilor Tiziano Consoli and Director of Training Massimo Rocchi, as well as Accademia HModa’s partner companies.
During the meeting, the results achieved since the founding of Accademia HModa Footwear were presented, demonstrating the significance of the training programs developed: over 3,600 total hours of training provided, approximately 140 students enrolled in the programs, and an average job placement rate of nearly 80%.
These figures reflect a multi-tiered model.
On the one hand, the training programs developed at the Accademia HModa campus in Civitanova Marche and funded by the Marche Region through the PR Marche FSE Plus 2021-2027 initiative, designed to guide participants toward concrete employment opportunities in local companies and throughout the industry; structured into several editions of the “Mass-Production Footwear Technician” course (a professional qualification recognized at the European EQF3 level), with each edition lasting 600 hours of theory, lab work, and internships—the latest edition having started just a few days ago.
On the other hand, the programs developed in direct collaboration with luxury fashion houses—which boast an employment rate ranging from 94% to 100%—are tailor-made to meet the specific production needs of the leading players in the high-end fashion industry.
It is precisely this integration of training and industrial needs that sets the Accademia HModa Footwear apart. Today, the academy collaborates with over 30 partner companies and helps train the next generation of highly specialized artisans in the key processes of high-end footwear production—from cutting, to edging, assembly, and on to finishing and quality control—complementing practical training with modules dedicated to the history of Made in Italy, digital innovation, and sustainability. These technical and artisanal skills constitute a distinctive heritage of Made in Italy and today require even greater attention to be passed on and valued, in a context marked by a growing shortage of these professionals.
Over time, this model has demonstrated its ability to evolve and extend beyond its original geographical context. Alongside the activities developed in the Marche region, Accademia HModa Footwear has in fact launched programs in other Italian manufacturing districts as well, such as the École de Soulier in the Brenta district of Veneto, created in collaboration with Christian Dior Couture, and has progressively strengthened its international reach through partnerships with leading institutions such as the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) in Paris, with which active training programs include workshops, exchanges, and other joint projects.
This evolution is consistent with a vision that views training as an infrastructure serving the entire supply chain, capable of connecting regions, businesses, and skills, and supporting the sector’s development at a time of growing demand for qualified professionals.
Claudio Rovere, founder and President of HModa, commented: “Training is a true industrial driver for HModa. Our mission is to contribute in an increasingly tangible way to building the skills upon which the future of Italian and European fashion will be founded, combining innovation with the promotion of artisanal savoir-faire. In this regard, dialogue extending beyond the Group’s boundaries and the strengthening of partnerships with luxury fashion houses constitute an important recognition of the work carried out by Accademia HModa and its role as a qualified partner for the preservation and development of the industry.”
Valentina Vaccarini, director of Accademia HModa, added: “The results achieved by Accademia HModa Footwear from 2024 to the present are the result of a well-established training model, which we built based on the concrete needs of businesses and developed through solid, targeted programs, in close collaboration with the manufacturing sector and luxury fashion houses, which serve as an important confirmation of the quality and recognition of the work we have done. The more than 3,600 hours of training provided, the approximately 140 students involved, and an average job placement rate of nearly 80% attest to our ability to prepare professionals and guide people toward real, skilled employment.”
Tiziano Consoli, Regional Councilor for Labor and Vocational Training, stated: “This project is a concrete example of how training policies can translate into real employment opportunities, and today’s press conference confirms the Marche Region’s approach to employment and training. We continue to invest in skills development and key resources to stabilize employment contracts, support self-employment, and train personnel through courses, ITS, and Academies, with the goal of supporting businesses and strengthening a strategic sector by focusing on quality, innovation, and sustainability. This is the fifth year of this course in the footwear sector, an area where the Marche region excels in professionalism, and we are addressing the skills mismatch by working together with businesses and the Regional Labor Observatory. I would like to thank Accademia HModa for its commitment to hiring at least 51% of its graduates: this is proof that regional funds produce tangible results. Today’s market demands craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability, and every course—funded with 85,000 euros—has yielded positive results. We are also launching new training programs in the nautical, aeronautical, and port sectors to address the shortage of professionals such as electricians, mechanics, technical experts, and export managers. Through the ESF Plus, we aim to reaffirm the Marche Region’s leadership in utilizing these funds, supporting a workforce capable of returning to growth.”
