Project Title: Tourism and Support Services Training Programme (ESF 7)

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1 Industry Human Resource Development, MTA Portfolio of Projects Aims & Objectives Committed to developing people in tourism The Industry HR Development (IHRD) The Industry Human Resource Development Unit within the MTA is responsible for the development of human resources to meet the tourism industry s needs for the provision of core and support services. This is done through promoting the people dimension within the industry; through building a strong liaison with employment, education and training institutions on actions required for the industry; and through the implementation of EU funded projects relating to human resource development. EU Funded Training Projects Tourism and Support Services Training Programme (ESF 7) ESF 7 Tourism and Support Services Training Programme was part financed by the EU European Social Fund with a co-financing rate of EU 75%, Malta 25%. The project was developed due to the need to provide a holistic approach towards training and human resource development in tourism and tourism-support services. The programme which was split into five key activities included training in service culture in the tourism industry, benchmarking improvement of standards and working practices, training service providers on the ability to communicate with tourists and provide helpful information about Malta, management training and mentoring support for small and independent businesses to help them develop and implement plans to foster growth within their companies, as well as a study on lifelong learning for the tourism sector. In 2009 the MTA was granted more funding for Merħba. An invitation through an open tender was issued in February 2009 for the development of a Trainers Resource Pack for the Merhba Programme. The resource pack will be developed in order to serve as a training aid for managers of tourism establishments and tourismrelated support services to train their staff. Training is aimed at individuals employed or seeking employment in the tourism industry. The total funds for the Tourism and Support Services Training Programme amount to 615,078 (inclusive of VAT), training over 1,700 participants in the five key activities.

2 ESF EU Funding Approved Project Operational Programme II Cohesion Policy Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project partfinanced by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future Developing Leaders for Change and Innovation in Tourism (ESF 2.11) ESF 2.11 Developing Leaders for Change and Innovation in Tourism is designed to up-skill and certify persons employed as or seeking employment in top, middle or supervisory management positions in sectors contributing directly or indirectly to tourism. The programme aims to increase competence levels, fill training gaps, and introduce and conduct a Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD) for senior managers in the tourism industry. It also enables participants to deal with best practice in the tourism industry through overseas placements and benchmarking. The programme also strives to increase competence levels, fill training gaps, and introduce and conduct a Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD) for assistant line and supervisory managers, while enabling them to train, monitor and coach lower level employees more professionally and effectively. Two studies will also be commissioned to forecast future employment opportunities and future training needs, in various sectors of the tourism industry (extending beyond the traditional accommodation, catering and travel sectors). Total funds allocated will amount to over 4 Million to train 1,200 participants. A tender was issued in December Bids are currently being adjudicated. ESF EU Funding Application Retaining and Attracting People within Tourism through Diversity Management Operational Programme II Cohesion Policy Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project partfinanced by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future An Application pertaining to Priority Axis 2 Investing in the employability and adaptability of the workforce of Operational Programme II Cohesion Policy Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life was submitted in January The project Retaining and Attracting People within Tourism through Diversity Management aims at rendering the tourism industry more appealing to individuals who might already possess the skills to join the industry, and others who have the potential to upgrade their skills to address these mismatches, but are hindered from doing so because of several infrastructural barriers, through the implementation of actions falling under the general term of diversity management. The IHRD already got approved commitment from partner organisations MHRA, ETC, ITS, University of Malta (Department of Tourism Studies), IOH, GWU, and UHM.

3 Industry Trade Support These projects and activities are aimed at the continuous professional development of people already working in the tourism industry as well as building upon the programmes offered by the University of Malta (UoM) and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS). Developing Human Resources Development Tools The Development of HRD tools to promote Best Practice in Tourism - Publications include: Tourism Competence Guidelines were compiled (2004/2005) by the with a view to establishing occupational competence standards in the tourism industry. These guidelines were drawn up following a consultation process with key people from accommodation and catering establishments together with representatives from the Institute of Tourism Studies. A number of working groups were set up to discuss competences relating to food and beverage service, food preparation and cooking, housekeeping as well as front office operations. The competences are based on the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) drawn up by the Hospitality Training Foundation (Htf) in the UK. A number of HR-related research studies, both local and foreign, were also taken into account. Tourism Human Resource Handbook this manual (compiled in 2004) is aimed at supporting any operator within the tourism industry, particularly the small and independent one, to implement or enhance good human resource management practices within his /her establishment. Malta Qualifications Council Hospitality Sector Skills Council The Malta Qualifications Council (MQC) is in the process of setting up a Sector Skills Council for the tourism sector. IHRD has been nominated to act as Sectoral Coordinator for the Hospitality Skills Sector of MQC. The Hospitality Sector Skills Council will strive to: Identify the different job profiles associated with the sector, Identify the knowledge, skills and competencies required by individuals to be able to perform the different specific jobs, Formulate the occupational standards based on the knowledge, skills and competencies required by industry for MQC s consideration, Support MQC in the level-rating exercises of qualifications in the sector to the Malta Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.

4 Seminars on Creative Thinking for Tourism Enterprises Seminars on Creative Thinking for Tourism Enterprises were organised throughout the 2 nd half of Three, half day seminars on (a) Creative Thinking to Address Human Resource Challenges in Tourism (b) Developing Innovative Services in Tourism, and (c) Innovative Marketing for Tourism Products and Services. The seminars aim to highlight the importance of creative practices and how these can be applied to the tourism industry. The seminars were held once monthly between September and November 2008.

5 Tourism Awareness and Career Promotion These projects and activities are aimed at providing information about careers and job opportunities in hospitality, travel and tourism to meet the industry s staffing needs and the aspirations of the potential recruits. CHOICE Programme The CHOICE programme is designed to give information and expose students to careers in the tourism industry and portray a true picture - that a career in the tourism industry can be a source of gainful and rewarding employment. This overview of the industry helps students formulate a knowledgeable opinion about the industry. This programme has so far reached over 16,000 secondary school students since it was launched 7 years ago. Participating students are encouraged to take part in a competition by submitting a tourismrelated project associated to key matters in the tourism industry. The top 8 projects will be awarded prizes whilst all participants will be awarded a certificate of participation. Ten projects were entered into last year s CHOICE Competition. The award ceremony was held on the 4 th July 2008 at the Coastline Hotel, Salina. Live Mgarr feast your senses! which was submitted by Steven Vella, from Sir Temi Zammit Boys Secondary School won first prize. New Maltese version The CHOICE Brochure (a resource for this project) includes information on employment opportunities in the tourism industry and provides students with very useful information such as applying for jobs and writing a successful C.V. It also gives an overview of opportunities to further one s education in tourism as well as information on an annual project competition. The CHOICE brochure is complemented by the MTA Tourism Career Guide Vol. 1 Your Future in Hospitality & Catering and MTA Tourism Career Guide Vol. 2 Your Future in Travel & Tourism and an optional visit to a hotel, restaurant, travel agency, English language school or a tourism establishment.

6 The Tourism Career Awareness DVD (2008) is an educational music DVD featuring Ira Losco who follows a tourist during his seven-day stay in Malta, identifying the various careers in the tourism industry. The aim is to highlight the multitude of careers available in the tourism industry, both directly and indirectly. This DVD will facilitate the role of teachers in relation to the dissemination of tourism employment related information amongst their students. This DVD is one of a number of new tools which have been developed in relation to the CHOICE programme, together with a CHOICE brochure. Copies of this DVD have been sent to all secondary schools for the perusal of guidance and PSD teachers. L-Impjegati 'L-Impjegati' is a light entertaining documentary style television series aired on Education 22 from March The programme's main aim is to provide information and assist young people make an informed choice in relation to career opportunities in the tourism Industry. The Industry HR Development Unit, Malta Tourism Authority together with the MHRA, ETC and SKAL are working with What Matters Coop in developing this project. Visit The main target audience of L-Impjegati is the 16 to 21 age group exploring paths of study and eventual employment opportunities. A light entertaining documentary style programme makes it more interesting and appealing for such an audience. Nevertheless all age groups will find the programme interesting since it includes features about how a career adapts a person's life style due to its commitments and implications. The programme runs for 30 minutes and it is aired every Friday at 1800 hours.

7 Tourism career week in Gozo Under the auspices of the Ministry for Gozo and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, the together with the Gozo Tourism Association, are organising a Careers in Tourism Week in Gozo with the aim of changing cultural misconceptions and generating interest amongst youths to choose tourism as a career path. The objective is to increase and effectively distribute information on careers and to ultimately encourage more people to work in the tourism industry. The Careers in Tourism Week, which is planned to be held between the 20 th and 26 th of April, is targeted to youths attending Form 1 up to Post-secondary students. Parents, guidance teachers, youths working in other industries and unemployed people will also be encouraged to participate. In-service Programme Tourism In-service Programme for Guidance Teachers The MTA, in collaboration with the Department of Curriculum Management, Education Division also organises the Tourism In-service Programme for Guidance Teachers. Since Teachers play a pivotal role in the career decisions of their students it is of outmost importance that they have a good understanding of the sector both for students and for the advancement of the industry itself. The course aims to provide teachers with a good understanding about the Industry and the sectors within it; knowledge about emerging trends and the different professional and personal skills required; as well as presenting a clearer idea about the role that they should play in guiding students towards the tourism industry. This is an excellent opportunity for MTA to reinforce the link between the school and the world of work, in this case the tourism industry. The 2008 programme was held in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies.

8 Contact: Karl Grech Senior Executive Industry HR Development Tel: Sarah Faith Azzopardi Project Executive ESF Tel: Andre Arciola Industry HR Development Tel: Stephanie Rocco Industry HR Development Tel: Industry HR Development Unit 229 Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1170 Malta Tel: (Head Office) Fax: Visit: