New Opportunities for Seasonal Workers in Hospitality
The kickoff meeting for the GoingLive project was held in Palma, Majorca, on January 11th and 12th, 2024. Hosted by the Cámara de Comercio de Mallorca, the meeting brought together European partners, including Centre4Education, LudusXR, AKMI, and the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED). They share a common goal of transforming the employability landscape for seasonal hospitality workers through digital upskilling.
Addressing the Challenges in the Hospitality Sector
The main challenge driving the GoingLive project is the non-teleworkable nature of most hospitality jobs. The project aims to develop a training platform that empowers seasonal workers by improving their digital, entrepreneurial, and green skills. This initiative seeks to improve the employability of workers during the off-season, enabling them to secure digital roles and reduce the economic impact of seasonal employment gaps.
Day 1: Laying the Foundation
Welcome and Introductions
The GoingLive kickoff meeting began with a warm welcome from the Cámara de Comercio de Mallorca representatives, followed by introductions from all partners. Centre4Education presented the project’s overview, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive training program integrating digital, entrepreneurial, and green skills.
Focus on The GoingLive Training Program
Centre4Education highlighted the components of The GoingLive Training Program and detailed the course’s development on the Articulate Rise platform. The course will be offered in multiple languages and includes three core modules: digital skills, entrepreneurship, and green skills. The course content will be diversified to cover various hospitality professions, such as cooks, receptionists, waiters, and cleaners.
Workshop on Methodology
Centre4Education led a workshop focusing on the project’s methodology, discussing upskilling pathways, resource brainstorming, and the inclusion of EU-recognized frameworks like DigComp. The team agreed to target specific professional profiles and incorporate accessibility features for broader inclusivity.
Day 2: Planning and Execution
Management and Communication
Day two started with a recap of the first day, followed by a management plan presentation. The plan emphasized effective communication through the Admin Project platform and regular online meetings. The formation of a management group was also discussed to ensure smooth project execution.
Workshops and Task Management
Workshops were conducted on the Admin Project platform to familiarize partners with its functionalities, focusing on task management and dissemination activities. The partners discussed the total quality management plan, risk management, and evaluation strategies, ensuring that qualitative and quantitative goals are met throughout the project.
Financial and Reporting Plans:
The financial plan highlighted the budgeting for work packages, travel, and seminars. The partners were guided on reporting requirements and timelines for financial and dissemination activities.
The Road Ahead
The kickoff meeting set the stage for a successful collaboration, with partners committed to delivering a robust training platform that will upskill seasonal workers in the hospitality sector. The next transnational project meeting is scheduled for August 29-30, 2024, in Odense, Denmark.
The GoingLive project aims to improve employability and foster sustainability by addressing the needs of the hospitality industry and its workforce. By equipping workers with the necessary skills, the project promises to create a more resilient and adaptable labour market, paving the way for future digital learning and employment innovations.
