Today’s job market is constantly increasing requirements on competencies across all sectors. This poses a major challenge for the 64 million women and men with low levels of education in Member States. They are more often unemployed or completely out of the labour market, compared to people with middle and high levels of education. Moreover, persistent lack of employment opportunities, especially among the low-skilled, may lead to serious long-term consequences. Nevertheless, the challenges faced by low skilled individuals are not simply economic in nature but also social, and it is not simply a matter of lack of motivation but rather the inability or social disparity that hinders the individual. This project proposes the transnational collaboration of ITS, TCTC and MHRA from Malta with the Institut Paul Bocuse from France and the Haaga Helia Institute of Applied Sciences in Finland, towards a common aim, that is: To increase demand and provide equal opportunities for the attainment of post-secondary qualifications in the hospitality industry, to low skilled and disadvantaged individuals. This project envisages an opportunity for the partnering organisations to exchange best practices, knowledge and information, aimed at the creation of training modules in order increase demand by facilitating the acquisition of post-secondary qualifications by low-skilled individuals coming from difficult backgrounds, who seek to create or to further their career in the hospitality industry. Within this contex, the projects' objectives are as follows: - To create two accredited courses for low skilled and low qualified individuals interested in obtaining post-secondary qualifications in the hospitality industry - To create one Pre-Accession Course for individuals lacking basic literacy skills to progress towards higher qualifications - To increase the demand and take-up through the creation of an online learning platform The project will consist of 4 intellectual outputs which include 3 training courses (pre-accession, basic and specialised) and the creation of an online training platform. The modules will be used to train the participants and to serve as sustainable project output in that it will be made available on the online platform for everyone to use. The training module will not only provide key skills and competences to low skilled and unskilled persons but also serves as a stepping stone to other higher qualifications. For some low skilled individuals these courses represent their first credible and feasible opportunity for educational attainment, given that 2/3 courses will be accredited. Thus, this project envisages to develop 2 courses specialising in specific careers within the hospitality industry, requiring zero prior educational attainment and by providing a course for those lacking even basic literacy and numeracy skills; improving and extending the supply of learning opportunities to those lacking qualifications. Direct participants within this project will be featured within the pilot project testing that will be implemented in Malta and will target around 500 individuals. Specifically this projects targets 3 specific audiences which in themselves encompasses low skilled individuals at a national level. The project aims to provide accredited learning opportunities to low skilled individuals who wish to advance or to start a career in the hospitality industry, but lack the educational qualifications required. The impact of the project is expected to result in: - a collaboration that transcends national borders allowing for cooperation and information sharing - more exposure on the work carried out by the participating organisations in the hospitality industry - more opportunities to bridge the gap between training and industry - increased opportunities to improve skills and competences in the field - more positive attitudes towards EU projects - establishment of contact with other stakeholders interested in pushing forward the agenda for adult education and enhanced competences - more hands on training and opportunities for unskilled or low skilled persons to find better employment prospects in the tourism industry - improved level of skills in the hospitality industry - more opportunities to network and share experiences with other European and international counterparts - more opportunities to validate and recognise learning for unskilled or low skilled adults - more opportunities to participate in formal learning courses
This project main objectives was the following: - To create two accredited courses for low skilled and low qualified individuals interested in obtaining post-secondary qualifications in the hospitality industry - To create one Pre-Accession Course for individuals lacking basic literacy skills to progress towards higher qualifications - To increase the demand and take-up through the creation of an online learning platform. The main target of the project were the following: - To target those individuals who are already in the industry but would like to upskill and enhance their knowledge; - To target those individuals who were currently unemployed but would like to enter the tourism and hospitality industry. This project proposed the transnational collaboration of ITS, TCTC and MHRA from Malta with the Institut Paul Bocuse from France and the Haaga Helia Institute of Applied Sciences in Finland, towards a common aim, that is: To increase demand and provide equal opportunities for the attainment of post-secondary qualifications in the hospitality industry, to low skilled and disadvantaged individuals. This project envisages an opportunity for the partnering organisations to exchange best practices, knowledge and information, aimed at the creation of training modules in order increase demand by facilitating the acquisition of post-secondary qualifications by low-skilled individuals coming from difficult backgrounds, who seek to create or to further their career in the hospitality industry. This project was successful in achieving the below aspects (intellectual outputs): - Pre-Accession course which was a course specifically aimed at those low skilled individuals who want to pursue a career in the hospitality industry but lack the necessary secondary education level. A total of 65 people completed the course. -The Guest Experience Introduction Award. This Award which was accredited by ITS where the main objective of this course was to provide 4 units covering basic knowledge on the functionality of the tourism and hospitality industry. Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic several participants opted to do just one or two units (mentally affected and lost interest in doing the units). Even though this happened, there still 185 participants who completed one or more of the units but not all of the 4. In order to try tackle this, ITS asked for an extension of the project (which was granted) and together with TCTC embarked on a marketing campaign to promote the Guest Experience Introduction Award. A total of 123 people fully completed the course. - The Guest Experience Specialised Groups objective was to provide participants with an the opportunity of an on-site training. Unfortunately this intellectual output was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the fact that some of the participants did not want to be present and interact with other people (due to the fear of Dovid-19) and also some participants were already working in the industry and hence could not attend to the onsite training. This was communicated with the agency and was approved on the basis that the participants who are already working in the sector are receiving the same training. - The Online Learning Platform where it features all the above courses on the platform itself. This intellectual output was envisaged to contribute to those low-skilled workers interested in pursuing/furthering a career in the hospitality industry but due to their difficult background are unable to physically attend such courses and gain accreditation. This online learning platform was very crucial when the pandemic broke as the courses had to be all conducted online. This project, particularly the Guest Experience Introduction Award was a concept which as ITS management together with the other partners realised that it could be beneficial that it is offered to the public after the projects end date. Hence, in the near future this introductory award will be made available to the local public and will also be accredited.