The ADVOTEX network will create an active interface between the European textile and clothing industry and universities, institutes of higher education and training centres, with a view to providing the industry with the new skills and competencies needed to adapt its manufacturing processes to meet the challenge of globalisation. To achieve this, the training needs of the sector, especially SMEs, will be surveyed, and an inventory of existing training tools will be formulated by the partners of the network. This will form the basis of a structure for appropriate vocational training provision in the textile and clothing sector. A web site and newsletter will be used for the partners to exchange information and experiences during the life of the current project. The resulting report will contain a number of specific proposals as a response to the needs established by the survey.