BACKGROUND & CHALLENGES The fast-paced emergence of relevant new market niches and evolving customers’ expectations has increased the demand for green skills in the HORECA sector, creating a corresponding skills gap. Further to demand, the gap is widened by the lack and inadequacy of corresponding training resources and approaches. Particularly in HORECA, and unlike other sectors, VET provision takes place primarily through Work-Based Learning (WBL), where employers offer apprenticeships in partnership with VET providers to provide learners with practical skills and first-hand work experience. Closing the emerging skills gap in WBL settings is a greater challenge than that of classroom-based VET, as in the sector’s WBL curricula are often employer-customised, and training is delivered by skilled practitioners rather than certified trainers. The updating of HORECA apprenticeship schemes is thus essential, so that HORECA WBL programmes incorporate practical components on environmental technologies and sustainable work practices, to adequately address apprentices’ training needs. OBJECTIVES ENVIRECA forms a Strategic Partnership to improve HORECA work-based learning VET, aiming to address existing occupational needs related to environmentally sustainable work practices. In particular, ENVIRECA objectives are to: 1. Design an up-to-date WBL curriculum unit and new training content on environmentally sustainable work practices, to be embedded in HORECA VET provision. 2. Introduce modern training delivery methods (e.g. simulation game) that will enable HORECA apprentices to apply the acquired knowledge/skills in real life workplace situations, and promote green skills development. 3. Enhance VET-business cooperation and facilitate the integration of environmental components into HORECA WBL curricula and certification/standardisation schemes. ENVIRECA PARTNERSHIP The partnership comprises 5 organisations from 5 countries, from the world of education and environmental research, as well as learning innovation experts. FLA and DU lead activities in environmental sustainability and tourism development, both from a research and from a course design/delivery perspective. FLA is also expert in the diffusion of scientific knowledge and in raising public awareness on environmental issues. HRC and CSM bring the expertise in the delivery of WBL programs (i.e. apprenticeships), covering the full spectrum of HORECA business functions. EXELIA is an expert in R&D and delivery of innovative learning methodologies. ACTIVITIES & METHODOLOGY - Analysis of current and future skills and knowledge needs to develop green related HORECA WBL learning outcomes. - Development of the structure of a curriculum on environmentally sustainable work practices. - Creation of corresponding Open Education Resources. - Development of a simulation game with practical scenarios to facilitate green skills acquisition. - Involvement of key policy makers & stakeholders for the validation of ENVIRECA learning outcomes and for supporting the integration of “green” skills into occupational standards. - Sharing of outputs with multiplier events, inviting target groups to uptake ENVIRECA results and to act as further disseminators. RESULTS & IMPACT The ENVIRECA project is expected to have the following results and impact: - Learning outcomes for WBL training provision in environmentally sustainable work practices for HORECA apprentices, validated by trainers and field experts (to reach 300 VET providers) - Formal VET learning units and WBL integration guidelines (to reach 300 VET providers, 500 HORECA employers) - Open Education Resources for training HORECA apprentices in environmentally sustainable work practices (to reach 300 VET providers, 500 HORECA employers, 5500 apprentices) - ENVIRECA simulation game with practical scenarios on HORECA key business functions to foster new skills development (to reach 300 VET providers, 500 HORECA employers, 5500 apprentices) - A pilot session to validate ENVIRECA units of learning outcomes and training material (100 participants) - An Environmental Certificate Supplement for the integration of green components into HORECA certification schemes (to reach 300 VET providers) - A position paper to support decision-making and promote the incorporation of green skills requirements into occupational standards (to reach 75 stakeholders) - Five (national information days to promote project results and strengthen collaborations between VET providers and HORECA employers (300 participants) POST-PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY - Uptake of project materials and OERs from training centres providing WBL in partnership with HORECA employers across the EU-28 - Participation of a growing number of initial (i.e. apprentices) and continuous VET learners in courses based on project outputs - Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and sector stakeholders, including VET providers, and HORECA employers
BACKGROUND & CHALLENGES Work-Based Learning (WBL) is well established in the HORECA sector, as most employers offer apprenticeship programs in partnership with VET providers. This is necessary, as related occupations require further to knowledge and practical skills, a first-hand experience across business functions and future work duties. Nevertheless, the HORECA industry still notes a gap between the skills and knowledge learned by apprentices through WBL and those needed by the workplace, particularly to what regards environmental and sustainability skills. One of the key reasons, is the fast-paced emergence of relevant new market niches technological changes, new legislation/regulations, and last but not least, evolving customer expectations. EC study in 2016 reports the major skills gaps in HORECA education and training, underlining that the “greening” of the industry has led to considerable changes in the tasks and competences required by employees. HOTREC (December 2016) has published a pledge to improve the quality of apprenticeship schemes by promoting new skills development to tackle the new tourist demand. The EU Skills Panorama (2016) includes hospitality managers among the occupations needing skills upgrading OBJECTIVES ENVIRECA aimed to align work-based learning with workplace requirements as regards environmentally sustainable practices. Project objectives were: •Develop a comprehensive and up-to-date WBL curriculum and new training content on environmentally sustainable work practices to be embedded in HORECA VET provision •Introduce training delivery methods to enable HORECA apprentices to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in real life workplace situations via training scenario •Enhance VET-business cooperation and facilitate the integration of environmental components into HORECA WBL curricula and national/EU certification schemes. PARTNERSHIP The partnership comprised 5 partners with complementary skills and long experience on delivering innovative methods on environmental and sustainability skills. FLA brought its expertise and capacity in the environmental field and guaranteed the upgrading of HORECA WBL schemes. DU brought its experience in designing curricula tailored to market needs. EXELIA brought its long experience in delivering innovative learning methodologies and pedagogies. HRC brought its experience in designing work-based training in the HORECA sector and access to HORECA companies. CSHM brought its specialization on job specific training curricula and apprenticeships in HORECA industry. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN •Map skill needs on environmentally sustainable work practices and update occupational requirements for HORECA employees •Design of a WBL curriculum and Open Educational Resources for training HORECA apprentices in environmental technologies and sustainable work practices •Delivery of a simulation game with practical scenarios on HORECA key business functions to foster new skills development •Organization of a pilot session to validate ENVIRECA units of learning outcomes and training material •Design of an Environmental Certificate Supplement for the integration of green components into HORECA certification schemes •Creation and distribution of a position paper to promote the incorporation of green skills requirements into occupational standards (to reach 75 stakeholders) •Organization of national information days in partnership countries to promote project results and strengthen collaborations between VET providers and HORECA employers MAIN RESULTS AND IMPACT ACHIEVED •Evidence-based learning outcomes on sustainable HORECA work practices •A 6 weeks WBL curriculum, referenced to EQF level 4, available in 6 EU languages •50 hours of versatile studying materials, offered in the form of open educational resources, in 6 EU languages •A board game with 5 scenarios that simulate “real-life” working situations. •A certificate template for learners receiving training on environmentally sustainable HORECA work practices •A set of policy recommendations on how improve the supply and quality of work-based learning in the HORECA industry It is estimated that ENVIRECA has benefitted: • 300-450 VET providers • 500-600 HORECA employers • 5500-7000 HORECA employees and apprentices • 50-75 sectoral representatives and regulatory entities • 1000-1500 other individuals LONG TERM BENEFITS •Improved HORECA networks’ knowledge and capacity for learner centered approaches. •Increased HORECA employers’ capacity to provide environmental and sustainability skills to employees •Increased knowledge of learners, trainers, mentors on how to apply theoretical knowledge in practice by developing handbooks and case studies. •Extended networks and synergies among stakeholders, HORECA, environmental institutions and authorities by producing the framework for integration of sustainability skills. •Strengthened links between informal and formal education pathways