ECVET Tour II. Transfer of VET innovation in the field of gastronomy and hotel management.

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1 ECVET Tour II Transfer of VET innovation in the field of gastronomy and hotel management

2 The European Commission has been striving to develop a transparent environment using the ECVET (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training) and related tools for many years, because acceptance of professional qualifications within national borders, but also beyond them, is very important for all market segments. ECVET Tour II was a two-year project within the Leonardo da Vinci (Transfer of Innovation) programme, which inter alia, focused on the modernization of two branches of study/profession: COOK and RECEPTIONIST, because experiences with the quality of services in the gastronomy and hotel industry in Slovakia show that this sector is often unjustly underrated. CZ The project involved partners from three EU countries. 3s Research Laboratory and SMC (Studien und Management Center) were Austrian partners with many years of experience in ECVET, the Czech Republic was represented by EDUcentrum and the Slovak project coordinator was APEL. Main aims of the project: To introduce the ECVET tools into the secondary vocational education AT and training (VET), to promote transparency of learning outcomes and to understand qualifications of a cook and a receptionist across the European Union. To support the modernization and improvement of vocational training in this area. To develop an environment in which VET institutions will be able to collaborate with other institutions in the EU Member States. To encourage schools to increase the number of student mobilities and related assurance of a better mobility in the labour market. To strengthen links between VET institutions and employers and to strengthen schools ability to respond to the needs of employers appropriately. 2

3 Six secondary vocational schools and several other VET institutions from three different countries of the central European region have joined their forces thanks to activities of the ECVET Tour II project. Participating schools Slovakia Private secondary vocational school HOST, Bratislava Secondary vocational school, Stará Lubovňa The Czech Republic Secondary school of hotel management and gastronomy SČMSD Prague Higher vocational school of hotel management and tourism, Poděbrady Secondary vocational school, Trutnov Austria Tourism schools Salzburg - Klessheim SK What should a COOK be able to do according to the employers: 1) Preparation of meals according to menu and organization of own work 2) Planning and preparation of menus for guests 3) Planning and purchasing of kitchen supplies 4) Appropriate arranging of meals on the plate What should a RECEPTIONIST be able to do according to the employers: 1) Registration and care of guests 2) Sales and marketing 3) Administration and accounting 3

4 Progress and results of the ECVET Tour II project The ECVET Tour II project was a Trasnfer of Innovation project which transferred the concept of competence matrices to SK and CZ. Competence matrices are structured descriptions of professional competences in the form of a matrix table. The competence matrices were adapted to the conditions of the SK and CZ environment through feedback-loops during the workshop, which was attended not only by representatives of secondary vocational schools but also by employers from the field of gastronomy and hotel management and other VET institutions. Matrices represented an overview of knowledge, skills and competences of graduate of the profession cook and receptionist, understandable even for future employers. CZ The first official project outcome was a Needs analysis, which included not only a description of the current situation of secondary vocational education in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also insights and opinions of employers on the employability of VET graduates. Based on the Methodology of transfer of innovation and signing of the Memorandum AT of Understanding the ECVET Tour II project helped to create partnerships between VET institutions in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria. Learning outcomes descriptions (learning units) defining what learners are expected to learn during their period of mobility were developed jointly by the cooperating schools and the project partners. The competence matrices were used as a basis for this work. eht us To test the applicability of established learning units in different environments (CZ, SK, AT), pilot student mobilities were organised in the ECVET Tour II project. These periods of mobility helped to promote cross-border cooperation of VET schools (CZ, SK, AT) and other institutions specializing in VET (SK, AT, DE). The basic document, which states the exact terms of students exchange, as well as 4

5 organizational details, is the Learning Agreement. An important step in the implementation of mobilities is to agree on how assessment of learning outcomes achieved by the learner is to be carried out. Therefore, several evaluation forms were prepared. Mobilities were evaluated by students themselves but also by the involved teachers, not only from the point of view of the teacher, but also in terms of the participating organization. Overall evaluation of mobilities has been incorporated into the document Testing of the ECVET tools through student mobilities in the ECVET Tour II project. An overview of all materials and a summary of organizational processes that were used in the preparation and subsequent implementation of mobilities is described in the document How to organize a successful student mobilities. Tools adapted for the environment in Slovakia. The ECVET Tour II project highlight was organization of the international conference of SK the same name in late November 2014, Bratislava. Its aim was to convey the best practice of the current project, talk about the current state of secondary vocational education and to motivate the participants to the organization and support of student mobility. The importance of this topic and the need for related discussion confirmed also the high number of participants (over 110) from among secondary school teachers, students, experts on the ECVET issue and employers representatives, who actively discussed about mobilities but also about the wider context of the educational system in Slovakia. Participants and speakers came from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The objectives and results of the ECVET Tour II project were continuously promoted through the dissemination of the project at various conferences, seminars and exhibitions in the EU Member States, and also in the form of articles and press releases in the media. All outputs of the project see on 5

6 During the implementation of the ECVET Tour II project, we came to the following conclusions: ECVET and its principles are proving as comprehensive tools useful in practice and for the development of secondary vocational education and promotion of student mobilities. Description of teaching in the form of learning units which emphasize the real learning outcomes, has a great potential to become a practical alternative to the State CZ educational program. The advantage of ECVET is the possibility of creation of learning units not only between schools involved in mobility, but also by involvement of employers themselves. One of the main characteristics of the ECVET is credit system, which however is actually not relevant for the SK and CZ school environment due to current legislation. Mobilities of students are an excellent instrument suitable to increase students AT motivation to learn and continue to work on their own skills. In terms of learning units testing, the most beneficial were mobilities between the Slovak and Czech schools. On the other hand, more attractive for students were mobilities in linguistically and culturally more exotic environment - in Austria. Mobility at the Austrian school confirmed the need for students intensified language training with an emphasis on direct communication skills. Direct cooperation of schools during the organization of mobilities seems preferable and more effective than mediation of information via third parties (coordinator or project partner). Organisation of mobilities is more appropriate for a group of students than for 6

7 Z individuals. Successful mobilities add to the credibility of the school and also provide a feedback on the overall learning process. During the organization of mobility, networking and creation of contacts is very important which ultimately increase the chances of graduates to be successful in the labor market and possibilities of organization of other exchanges. The ECVET Tour II project increased interest in engaging in similar activities, what proves a high number of participants of the final conference and expressions of several involved schools about their determination to initiate or actively participate in other similar projects. SK 7

8 ECVET Tour II Transfer of VET innovation in the field of gastronomy and hotel management Project duration: November 2nd, December 15th, 2014 This project has been funded with support from the Euroepan Commission. This brochure reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission and the National Agency cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project partners Suported by...and partner schools Private secondary vocational school HOST, Bratislava Secondary vocational school, Stará Lubovňa Secondary school of hotel management and gastronomy SČMSD Prague Hotel school, higher vocational school of hotel managment and tourism, Poděbrady Secondary vocational school, Trutnov Tourism Schools Salzburg - Klessheim APEL, project coordinator Dunajská 25, Bratislava, Slovakia Tel.: