Research on early identification of skill needs and future Skillsnet activities

1. Research on early identification of skill needs and future Skillsnet activities in the tourism sector Olga Strietska-Ilina

2. skillsnet www.trainingvillage.gr under ‘Projects and networks’

3. Various approaches in research and its transfer to policy and practice in the tourism sector • National and regional business and employment surveys • Skill audits • Sector and regional observatories • Elaboration of strategies and plans for the sector with the direct involvement of social partners and policy makers • Research into specific occupations, job profiles, vocational profiles • New services, new areas and new occupations

4. Various approaches in research and its transfer to policy and practice in the tourism sector • Working group B: Improving training in order to upgrade skills in the tourism industry • Employment and human resource development in the hotel, catering and tourism sector - analyses by ILO and subsequent tripartite level discussion • World Tourism Organisation - HRD Department • ETF support to partner countries: observatories, skill audits • Cedefop activities: • Changing occupational profiles in the hotel industry (Case studies in France, Italy and Spain); • Mobility in the European tourism sector: the role of transparency and recognition of vocational qualifications; • Skillsnet

5. Various approaches in research and its transfer to policy and practice in the tourism sector • Many things are going on but • very rare research attempts in the EARLY identification of skill needs in the sector, • statistical gaps given by the character of the sector, • vulnerability of the sector to external factors - unpredictability of development, • domination of SMEs in the sector, which are traditionally averse to research, • very week role of social partners, i. e. partners for discussion of research results and their transfer to practice • Research results are underutilised • Research is fragmented

6. The workshop is a first step to further activities. Publication of the proceedings - next step. Further questions: What can be done to link and complement various efforts? What can be done to promote greater utilisation of research results in policy and practice? What can be done to exchange knowledge on methods and tools in early identification of skill needs in the tourism sector? Proposal for Skillsnet activities in the tourism sector

7. Establish specific subsections on Skillsnet information platform Establish a working group for early identification of skill needs in the tourism sector with threefold aims: exchanging knowledge and experience on methods and tools, stocktaking available research results, complementing other activities in the field of research and analysis of skill needs in the tourism sector (on-going coordination and discussion with other institutions needed) Skillsnet bulletin Skillsnet sector flashes Proposal for Skillsnet activities in the tourism sector

8. Workshop on systems and processes of early identification of skill needs Workshop on new technologies and related skill needs for the future Workshop on methods and tools to identify future skill needs at regional level Biennial conferences Follow Skillsnet information platform and become a Skillsnet member! Information on other Skillsnet activities planned in the near future

9. www.trainingvillage.gr ‘Projects and networks’ Skillsnet team Manfred Tessaring, coordinator mt@cedefop.eu.int Olga Strietska-Ilina, expert ost@cedefop.eu.int Beatrice Herpin, secretary bhe@cedefop.eu.int