The HELIX project targets to provide rational support in increasing the competencies for sustainable business and innovations in the Balkan-Med`s hospitality sector. Key prerequisite in this regard is the establishment of appropriate tools for training, joint educational offers and learning and practice communities, which all can contribute to deepening the sector-specific skills.
In the previous stage of project implementation were identified key problematic and prospective fields of the hospitality industry. These were accordingly interpolated towards to current and future needs for sector-specific skills and competences. Based on that, the HELIX partnership consortium proceeded to the development of curricula and training materials in the following fields:
- Sustainable tourism pedagogy
In essence, the course is planned to serve the needs of training of trainers, preparation of expert-lecturers and tutors in the field of tourism. It is therefore conceptualized for VET/ higher VE trainings and postgraduate education. Still, a number of opportunities will be established so the course could be (fully or partly) incorporated into the settings of HE courses with different aspects.
The following partner organizations are involved in the process of development of the curricula and the related training resources: (1) Varna University of Management (Bulgaria), (2) University of Thessaly, Department of Planning and Regional Development (Greece); (3) `Alexander Moisiu` University of Durres (Albania); (4) „Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce“ (FYROM)
- Entrepreneurial Skills for Sustainable Tourism Enterprises
The course`s development is based on the application of an interdisciplinary approach, where the experience of institutions from different Balkan-Med countries, which have long experience and established traditions in providing the necessary theoretical training or practical assistance for the development of tourism enterprises, is implemented. On the one hand, this approach provides a different insight into the required entrepreneurial skills in the hospitality sector and, on the other – offers the necessary impetus to ensuring a higher degree of enterprise sustainability, in economic, social and environmental terms. The course also places a special focus on areas such as resource management, green skills, technological innovation and other areas that stem by the sector dynamics, globalization and the priorities of the Agenda 2030.
The following partner organizations are involved in the process of development of the curricula and the related training resources: (1) University of Thessaly, Department of Planning and Regional Development (Greece); (2) University of Shkodra `Luigj Gurakuqi` (Albania); (4) Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (FYROM); (5) Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association (Bulgaria)
The process of development of the 2 training courses and the complementing training materials (as Open Educational Resources) is planned to be finalized at the end of November, 2018. The applicability of the prepared course will be tested yet in the framework of the project throughout the implementation of pilot courses with blended mobility in all of these aspects. Both the training materials and the courses will be open and accessible to the general public.
