In the mid-2018, the HELIX project consortia started up development of two specific, training courses oriented towards hospitality, innovations and sustainability.
Number of in-house and external experts were involved in the process of conceptualization, development and evaluation of the training courses that consist of curricula and training materials (open educational resources).
The following courses are now оfinalized and accessible to all interested parties:
(1) Sustainable tourism pedagogy
The ultimate goal of the syllabus and course “Sustainable Tourism Pedagogy” is to contribute to aligning the vocational education (at secondary and tertiary level, as well as continuous vocational education) in hospitality with the economic development and innovation needs regarding sustainability of the Balkan-Mediterranean Region. According to this, the course aims to improve the following aspects of the knowledge, skills and competences of the trainees that decide to take the course modules:
1. Knowledge
• Basic understanding and ability to apply concepts related to teaching and learning
• Ability to understand, differentiate, apply and combine traditional and innovative (e-based) teaching and learning methods
• Ability to comprehend and apply the main principles of educational psychology as well as conflict management techniques in teaching and learning environments
• Awareness of the planning, organizing and directing activities in the educational institutions that provide vocational training (secondary, higher and informal) and ability to upgrade and adjust teaching content to meet trainees’ needs
• Enhanced understanding of the development trends in tourism and hospitality as well as the technological and non-technological innovations that improve the sustainability performance of these sectors
• Understanding of the complex relationship between profit-making and social impact
• Ability to research, draw lessons and identify best practices from case studies and examples of sustainable hospitality enterprises in view of applying them in business or other professional practice or policymaking
• A basic understanding of the importance of regional and national contexts, of diverse market and economic systems, as well as of consumers and other key stakeholders for the success and dynamics of corporate social responsibility initiatives
• Increased awareness of the challenges facing societies today and the potential of hospitality business to contribute to alleviating social problems by creating shared value
2. Skills
• Conducting educational activities
• Organising a teaching process
• Applying teaching strategies
• Adapting teaching to target group
• Evaluating trainees’ learning
• Monitoring trainees’ progress in learning
• Teaching sustainability regarding tourism and hospitality
• Promoting sustainable way of living in all aspects
3. Vocational Competences
• Precision on information contents
• Instruction without abasements
• Positive attitude and empathy towards trainees
• Commitment and motivation
• Communication
• Autonomy
• Class Management
The course syllabus is designed for students and graduates in tourism and tourism-related fields, for students interested in teaching and having a professional interest in the sustainability aspects of hospitality and tourism.
(2) Entrepreneurial Skills for Sustainable Tourism Enterprises
The course syllabus is designed as a generic program of study that can be adapted for delivery within higher education, within vocational education and as an independent LLL course.
The ultimate goal of the syllabus and course “Entrepreneurial Skills for Sustainable Tourism Enterprises” is to contribute to aligning the vocational education (at secondary and tertiary level, as well as continuous vocational education) in hospitality with the economic development and innovation needs regarding sustainability of the Balkan-Mediterranean Region. According to this, the course aims to improve the following aspects of the knowledge, skills and competences of the trainees that decide to take the course modules:
1. Knowledge
• Increased awareness of the challenges facing societies today and the potential of hospitality business to contribute to alleviating social problems by creating shared value
• Understanding of the interdependence and the complex relationship between economic/market imperatives and social impact
• Basic understanding of the evolution and practice of entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality
• Enhanced understanding of the development trends in tourism and hospitality
• Basic understanding of the evolution and impact of social entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality
• Awareness of the technological and non-technological innovations that improve the sustainability performance of these sectors
• Understanding of the complex relationship between profit-making and social impact
• Ability to research, draw lessons and identify best practices from case studies and examples of sustainable hospitality enterprises in view of applying them in business or other professional practice or policymaking
• A basic understanding of the importance of regional and national contexts, of diverse market and economic systems, as well as of consumers and other key stakeholders for the success and dynamics of corporate social responsibility initiatives
2. Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Applying strategic thinking
• Searching for and applying innovations
• Building networks
• Creating solutions to problems
3. Vocational Competences
• Implementing strategic planning
• Implementing marketing strategies
• Implementing sales strategies
• Maintaining customer service
• Managing staff
• Managing services and budgets
Both courses are adapted to the national contexts of HELIX countries – Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and North Macedonia – and are available in all partners’ languages and in English. They are accessible via the HELIX distance learning platform after a simple registration.
