First Two VocMat Modules Given Thumbs Up

Pilot group participants have given positive feedback at the halfway stage of the VocMat project, which aims to deliver vocational management training for the European tourism industry.  Over 40 public and private sector tourism managers from England, Estonia, Iceland and Scotland recently spent three months testing the VocMat Tourism Marketing and Strategic Management modules, using materials delivered via an internet based Virtual Learning Environment and CD-ROM.

The Virtual Learning Environment meant that participants could access the course from any internet connection, take the sections of each module at their own pace, and interact with participants in all the partner countries via the discussion forum.  After the initial induction session, when all four countries were linked by web-cam to allow everyone to take part even if they couldn’t attend the main event in Sheffield, some partner countries have arranged further web link-ups, and tutors have also kept in touch with participants via e-mail.

Responding to the end of module survey, the participants found the material challenging but enjoyable, and particularly liked the flexibility of the VocMat curriculum, which allowed them to study when and where fits in best with work and home commitments.  The CD-ROM was particularly helpful when internet access was not available, or to allow participants to fit in learning whilst travelling to meetings.

The project partners are pleased with the experience of the first two modules.  Cathy Guthrie, CPD Co-ordinator for the Tourism Management Institute, said:  “The large number of applications for pilot group places showed the demand for management training at this level; the participants’ feedback shows VocMat can meet that demand in a flexible way that both challenges and supports tourism managers, allows them to share learning and experience with European colleagues, and fits around their work and other commitments.”

Liz Buchanan of Tourist Board Training, co-ordinator of the project, said, “This first test phase of the VocMat project has been very successful thanks to the commitment of the partners and the Pilot Group. With the help of the tourism industry in Scotland, England, Iceland and Estonia, we are developing a new approach to tourism vocational learning which overcomes barriers such as cost, time and distance and allows managers to learn at their own pace, in their own time and in their own location.”

The next two modules, human resources for tourism and operational management, will be launched in Copenhagen on 14 February 2007.