Upskilling the EU Hospitality Industry with Portable Micro-Credentials

ongoing

The MCEU-Hospitality project is an innovative initiative that aims to develop micro-credentials to support the upskilling and reskilling of hospitality workers. This project responds to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's green and digital transition plans that are transforming the industry to adopt more sustainable practices and energy-efficient technologies. The project develops demand-led micro-credential courses for specific green and digital skills needed in the hospitality industry. The courses are designed to provide learners with specific knowledge, skills, and competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural, or labor market needs. The micro-credentials align with the Council of the EU's recommendations on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. The MCEU-Hospitality project will create an open-source online platform for issuing, storing, and verifying micro-credentials. The platform will leverage EU tools such as Europass, the European Digital Credentials for Learning, and EBSI to ensure the portability and recognition of the micro-credentials. The project aims to issue micro-credentials to 500 learners, with five courses on green and digital skills for the hospitality industry. The courses will provide learners with specific knowledge, skills, and competencies that respond to societal, personal, cultural, or labour market needs. The micro-credentials will be based on the Council recommendations on micro-credentials and developed according to the standards agreed upon in the relevant sector or area of activity. By doing so, the MCEU-Hospitality project aligns with Action 4 of the EU Skills Agenda, which focuses on the modernisation of vocational education and training (VET) in the EU. In conclusion, the MCEU-Hospitality project represents an innovative initiative that creates systemic change through fostering innovation at both practice and policy-level within the hospitality industry.