In consideration of the increased complexity of modern education, training and learning systems, the project contributes to the promotion of eco-innovative business model training programs to become a sustainable part of hospitality business and employability. This necessity for improvement of transparency and recognition of qualifications for both ecological and innovative circular economy development is answered through the development of the learning outcomes based on the training system. The main aim of the project is to implement the innovative VET system for workplace basic skills with eco-innovative business sustainability awareness in hospitality industry in line with the current shift of the EU labour market towards smart and innovative jobs. The program foresees to improve the quality of training of professionals in Eco-innovative Business Management through flexible, transferable innovative learning outcomes and design of learning pathways for shifting to competence-based training. The results of a preliminary needs analysis & through the European Commission's web-site, the following issues have been identified: • the current education on offer in the field of Eco-innovative business understanding and management in Europe is insufficient --consequently, there is a strong educational need in this area • the introduction of common European standards is a necessity for business to choose to operate on a more comparable ecological level, which can be applied across all industries in order to achieve a better consensus to operate in a eco-innovative way • in order to reach beyond current industry standards necessitates training for Eco-innovative Business Managers. With reference to the European priority “Encouragement of cooperation between VET and the world of work,” this project will provide an excellent example of how to improve environmental and innovative issues that come up in day-to-day business or at the academic level. This will serve as the protection of the environment via using innovative business solutions in the hospitality field. The supplement of competences in hospitality field will also supply the mobility of the workers in Europe more easily. The main objective of the present project is the identification of framework conditions regarding Eco-innovative Business Model (in particular meaning of terms, scope of activities & required training, set of competences, use of on-line training tools, app and digital game) in partner countries & to combine existing good practices to develop a standard practice to be used for a methodology for training and certification. The results of training will give the Eco-innovative Business Manager an overview of his role in the hospitality industry, be able to identify ecological and innovative issues to be tackled & be aware when/where to update own knowledge base. The partnership is composed of 6 organisations from 5 different European countries: Training 2000 (Italy), Mugla Sitki Kocman University - MSKU and Gazi University- GU (Turkey), Bit Management Beratung Gesmbh - BIT (Austria), Georgan Technical University - GTU (Georgia), University of Pannonia (Hungary). The partners organisations are expert in VET training and in the hospitality industry. The partnership involves stakeholders and interested organisations to support the sustainability of the project beyond the project life cycle.
The “Fostering Eco-Innovative Business Model Development in SMEs in the Hospitality industry – EcoMode” project addresses the growing complexity which characterises modern education and training paths and learning systems. The project aims to bridge the gap between the educational offer and training needs related to eco-innovation in the field of entrepreneurship and management, characterised by the lack of shared standards - as also highlighted by the European Commission. This will be done through the promotion of eco-innovative business models as sustainability's integral part in the hospitality sector and to promote the creation of new jobs. As its main goal, the project tackles the need to identify the skills and competences which managers should possess to manage their business model, focusing in particular on its ecological, sustainable and innovative aspects. For this reason, a professional training course was created, aiming at skills development and raising awareness on the changes that have affected the market in the tourism and hospitality industry in recent years. The 6 project partners are training institutions, universities and stakeholders specialized in training concerning tourism, innovation and eco-sustainability: Training 2000 (Italy), Mugla Sitki Kocman University - MSKU and Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University (Turkey), BIT Management (Austria), Georgian Technical University (Georgia), University of Pannonia (Hungary). The partners worked together to develop innovative, flexible and transferable learning outcomes, designing the creation of learning paths aimed at the development of such skills and at their certification by issuing a badge and a certificate of attendance. Six outputs were created within the EcoMode project. Output 1 consists in the EcoMode Good Practices Collection for Eco-innovation in Hospitality Industry, containing good practices and solutions of eco-innovative companies operating in the tourism industry. The EcoMode Competence Map (output 2), describing the knowledge, skills and competences for a “manager of eco-innovative business models”. The EcoMode Design of Training Modules (output 3), together with the EcoMode Open Educational Resources - OER (output 4) lead to the creation of an online platform containing 8 training modules and case studies in order to develop the professional skills and competences for managers of eco-innovative business models. The EcoMode Training Course Plan for Trainers (output 5) was conceived as a manual and a path to support trainers and professional training organizations to implement the results created within the EcoMode project. Finally, the EcoMode App and Game (output 6) represents an interactive tool containing mini-games linked to the open educational resources and modules created within the project. The EcoMode project's target group consists of: trainers and training organizations operating in the tourism and hospitality industry; trainers interested in gaining eco-innovation skills to train managers and staff working in companies in the tourism industry; entrepreneurs and staff working in SMEs in the tourism industry; adults and organizations interested in the project outcomes; training institutions and professional schools; decision-makers, trade associations and public authorities able to bring EcoMode at a systemic level. Training contents and materials were assessed and finalized through a process of constant improvement, involving 150 participants (managers and trainers working in the tourism and hospitality industry). The evaluation of the developed material was carried out online and face-to-face in three phases; the first evaluation took place through an international learning activity organised in Mugla (Turkey) while the remaining two phases took place in each partners country, online and in presence. After this phase, results were collected and analysed leading to the improvement of the project's material. In order to disseminate the project's results, each partner organised at least one multiplier event in their country. All the developed EcoMode products and materials are available on the project's website: http://eco-mode-project.eu/ and on the EcoMode Fecebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Ecomodeproject/