Al-Tour

The tourism sector has tremendous potential when it comes to increasing employment and economic growth in Albania and thus contributing to the reduction of unemployment. In order to utilise this potential, boosting the quality of service in tourism was defined as one of four development priorities. A prerequisite for this is to raise the level of quality in tourism training, enhance its relevance for the labour market, and improve access to training offerings in this sector.

AL-Tour will be implemented in close cooperation with the relevant government authorities, primarily the Albanian Ministry of Finance and Economy, the National Agency for Vocational Education, Training and Qualification; the national employment service; two municipalities; and representatives from the tourism industry, social partners, and companies.

The goal of AL-Tour is to improve the relevance for the labour market, quality, and social inclusion of vocational education offerings for the tourism and hospitality sector.

The immediate beneficiaries of the project include eight tourism schools, two boarding schools, two adult education centres, and the National Agency for Vocational Education Training and Qualification. During the project period, AL Tour will reach around 150 school administrators, vocational school teachers, trainers, internship coordinators, and boarding school staff, as well as 2,500 students, 50 trainees, and some 40 businesses. Upon conclusion of the project, those who are seeking training in this sector, along with all companies in this sector who are looking for well-trained staff will benefit from the project.

The expected results include:

• Development and introduction of gender sensitive professional standards for at least five professions in this sector
• Development and introduction of gender sensitive qualification descriptions corresponding to the Albanian National Qualifications Framework and curricula
• Establishment of two model schools in the tourism, hotel, and restaurant sector
• Two boarding schools serve as “Training Hotels Light”
• Development of competence for the sustainable introduction of the new curriculum and for the implementation of gender-sensitive instruction at all eight tourism schools
• Development and introduction of quality criteria and guidelines for company internships with businesses, and an increase in access to internships for disadvantaged pupils
• Establishment and training of internship coordinators at all tourism schools
• Increase in access for disadvantaged pupils, especially girls from disadvantaged families, through the creation of an inclusive culture in schools and training hotels, and through outreach activities

AL-Tour is being financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by OeAD.