BILT publication on vocational education and training in tourism and hospitality: international, green, digital
20.09.2024
A report and compendium of innovative practice examples have been published after a year of intensive collaboration between some 30 experts from Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as international organisations.
The Expert Groups of the “Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET” (BILT) initiative promote dialogue between Africa, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe – and on a sector-by-sector basis since 2023. Tourism and hospitality was this year’s focus.
The publication looks at the impact of digitalisation and greening on vocational education and training. It presents requirements, which have been changed by technological innovation and the pressures of climate change, regarding training and competence for tourism and hospitality in the three regions. Successful approaches in TVET policy and practice are discussed and recommendations are made to support a socially just transition that includes environmental and economic benefits.
The different perspectives on VET represented in the international BILT Expert Group contribute to the differentiated picture painted by the follow-up report and the compendium of innovative practical examples: policy and regulatory work, industry partners and associations as well as TVET and research institutions.
The author of the jointly compiled report, Franziska Wettstein from the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, reflects on the international collaboration:
Franziska Wettstein (Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training)
The discussions with Expert Group members from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe were enlightening. We learned about similarities and differences in TVET systems in general, as well as about regional challenges for TVET in the hospitality and tourism sector in particular. To have these international perspectives was very enriching but also presented us with the challenge to speak to this broad audience within our publication. I think we did quite well in capturing these differences in the publication and that all readers can find something useful for their own TVET perspective.
Anita Milolaza from BIBB’s “Structure and Organization of Vocational Education and Training” department contributed her sector expertise. She adds:
The compendium in particular, with examples of innovation from Africa, Asia and Europe, underlines the importance of global exchange and transfer of good solutions for vocational education and training – without abandoning respective national standards. BILT provides valuable international impetus and BIBB is both a transmitter and a receiver in this case.
Anita Milolaza
The BILT Expert Group 2023 was led by the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (Switzerland) with the support of the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (Cambodia) and the Boma International Hospitality College (Kenya). The BILT team at BIBB and UNESCO-UNEVOC supported the entire process of interregional cooperation and publications.
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In 2024, BILT launched a new BILT Expert Group focusing on the impact of digitalisation, greening and international migration on TVET in the construction industry – results are presented in regular events and publications.