1. 1 Qualification and Skills Passport for the European Hotel and Restaurant Sector DG EMPL Liaison Forum Brussels, 19 May 2008 Kerstin Howald, EFFAT Tourism Sector Secretary

2. 2 History 1993 2 FORCE projects –EFFAT (ECF-IUF): Inventory of the instruments for qualification in the HRC sector at European level –HOTREC: Training needs and training practices for managers in the HRC sector 1996+“European Qualification Passport” on agenda of SSD –monitoring of EU developments, e.g. Europass, Eures, etc. –dialogue with other sectoral initiatives, e.g. EMU Pass, Engcard, Agripass, etc. –consideration of existing tools and proposals by national social partners, e.g. Cyprus, Italy, France, Hungary 2006 EFFAT-HOTREC Joint Statement on a European Qualifications Passport 2007Working Group + Steering Committee –development of draft pilot model passport (approved) –proposals for implementation –investigation into funding possibilities

3. 3 Objectives of the qualification passport allow workers to document their qualifications and skills acquired through education, vocational training and on the job allow employers to assess the skills and experiences of job candidates from their own and other EU countries facilitate a better match of offer and demand in employment in the hotel and restaurant sector ► high level of cross-border vocational mobility

4. 4 Contents personal information on passport holder qualifications (diplomas, certificates, etc) employment history professional skills and competencies other competencies, e.g. languages

5. 5 Main features of the qualification passport Agreed: internet-based electronic tool, easily printable on paper non-mandatory multilingual passport: insertion in one language; data available in several languages compatibility with existing tools (e.g. Europass, EURES, other national or sectoral passports) list of competencies and skills related to services’ areas in the hospitality sector, e.g. accommodation; food & beverages; maintenance To be decided: jointly elaborated and administered by social partners or commercial solution

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9. 9 Implementation 2008+ realisation of the approved pilot model of the qualification passport –development of interface and database –translation into various languages identification of countries participating in the experimentation phase experimentation of the pilot model in 3-4 countries –setting up of national structures –testing of qualification passport –ongoing improvement of the system

10. 10 Future steps funding, funding, funding …? cooperation with organisations of other sectors working on similar projects to seek synergy cooperation with DG EAC, CEDEFOP and EURES on technical aspects ►political support ?

11. 11 Thank you for your attention! European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions effat@effat.org www.effat.org Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe main@hotrec.org www.hotrec.eu