The first isolated, local learning factories emerged during the 1980s. Over subsequent years, a few facilities were constructed and operated. Beginning in 2007, learning factories accumulated across Europe, prompting operators to collaborate and establish the Initiative on European Learning Factories (IELF) in May 2011. The inaugural Conference on Learning Factories convened at TU Darmstadt, where Prof. Eberhard Abele (TU Darmstadt) became president and Prof. Wilfried Sihn (TU Wien) became Vice-President.
International expansion
The organisation underwent significant transformation in 2017. Due to worldwide growth, the IELF transformed into the International Association on Learning Factories (IALF). Partners from all over the world — USA, Singapore, South Africa and beyond — joined the association.