Through the GenNZ project, we aimed to: Propose a solution for overcoming skills mismatch and addressing the needs of the future labour market in a Net Zero economy Design and test a potential competencies framework for scaling accessibility to Green skills learning Design and test a potential competencies framework with Work-based learning at the core and application of knowledge and theory in practice. The overarching objective was to develop: - A complete, ready to use, ‘green skills’ vocational competencies framework - A piloted teaching programme -With, rigorous assessment and potential for microcredential certification. -Grounded in workplace reality. This was to address the gap between VET green skills development and the fast-changing world of work towards net-zero transition, specifically in the tourism and hospitality sectors. It was hoped that this short project, and its outputs, could be a catalyst for aligning understanding of green skills between educators, employers and employees in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and for strenthening WBL, Apprenticeship training of Green Skills.
The aim of this project was to address the need for clarification of what ‘green skills’ are with a specific focus on roles in the high environmental and carbon impact of the tourism and hospitality sectors. Specifically, the mismatch of policy and intentions and workplace reality, and ‘talk act gap’. With 2.5 million employees working in the tourism ecosystem (EU Skills Agenda, LSP ‘Pact for skills‘), a scalable upskilling programme in green workplace competencies for these workers could have a large positive influence on the environmental & climate change impacts of tourism. The tourism and hospitality ecosystem, specifically hotels, restaurants and cafes (HoReCa) are the defined target sector for this project because it is a sector under global pressure to become more sustainable, Globally, tourism accounts for 8-11% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions & is a significant contributor to climate change (WTTC). The project has conducted rigorous study and identified that whilst awareness that green skills are essential to the future of work, implementation is lagging, largely due to insufficient access to learning. The project outcomes offer a solution.