Vocational opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled employees in the tourism sector

Tourism and Hospitality are significant generators of economic growth, employment, and socioeconomic integration in Europe. In 2010, for example, more than nine million persons were employed in the tourism industry, which equals to over four percent of all persons employed. However, since European tourism is largely a small and medium-sized tourism industry, often employers lack proper training programs necessary for the advancement of the skills and competences of their employees.

The European project CORE-VET started out in November 2012 with the aim to provide VET possibilities and better employment opportunities in tourism for unemployed people and underperforming employees with limited qualifications, by improving their skills and competences in three occupational areas: Reception and Front office Services, House Keeping Services, and Restaurant and Bar Services. A training tool targeting the core skills and competences needed in the three occupational areas will be produced including teaching and learning material and a user friendly e-learning platform.

The CORE-VET project is co-funded by the European Commission (Education and Culture DG, Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union) and implemented by eight partners in five European countries (i.e. Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, and Austria) representing the Education, Training and Consulting sectors. The project Kick-off meeting was hosted by the Institute for Tourism (IZTZG), and took place in Zagreb, Croatia on 29 & 30 November 2012.

If you wish to learn more about the project, please contact Ms. Olga Borou [borou@militos.org].