Recommendations based on analysing the implementation of the Outdoor Sector's certifications across the EU

<< Background >>The partnership’s key motivation was the improvement of the quality of outdoor certifications, to the benefit of both the sector and the consumers, by the development of good practice and recommendations. Another major motivation, especially of the four participating organisations, has been their need for capacity building, focused in European project coordination and management, learning through the collaboration with HEI with vast project experience. In return, HEI partners were interested in the results of the project to improve their courses, reassure the quality of the existing ones and increase the validity and applicability of their qualifications across different member statesThe following needs were addressed through the project:a) the need of an overview of the current implementation of professional standards b) the need for a set of recommendations for the future implementation of professional standardsc) the need of the sector to develop their competences in a self-directed way and for their qualifications and certifications becoming increasingly recognised and accepted at European leveld) the need of customers for participating in activities organised as safely as possible by well-trained professionals<< Objectives >>In line with our motivation and needs for applying for the project, the concrete objectives were: 1) producing recommendations based on the analysis and the overview of the outdoor certifications implementation in various member states2) contributing to the development/improvement of VET curricula which are adaptable to labour market needs at EU level, fostering mutual recognition of qualifications, promoting access to training for those with less opportunities and overcoming skills mismatch among national realities3) building a transnational network based in a balanced win-win partnership: fostering, rekindling and extending existing relationships between stakeholders and organisations, both from the sector and the training providers4) increasing the organisations’ capacity to work in a transnational European environment, in a cross-sectoral cooperation 5) setting concrete milestones for the future strategic planning of the network which will reinforce the overall aim of the field’s recognition and qualitative implementation of outdoor certification across EU<< Implementation >>We implemented fully all activities, as suggested in the application, respecting the flow, the order, the duration, and the objectives of each activity. The flow was divided in the following stages:- The initiation phase where the entire project including organisation matters and communication protocols was set up- The desk research phase where interviews and survey were conducted.- The data analysis phase where the data gained in the previous phase was reviewed, sorted, analysed, interpreted and summarised.- The reporting phase where the insights from the data analysis were worked into the outputs and the reports were written. - The dissemination phase where several events were held (at least one per partner country), some digital, some in person, some hybrid, in order to spread our results.- Throughout the project we conducted three transnational meetings in person, as well as numerous online Zoom s for exchange, discussion and collaboration, while working online through Google drive folders and files.<< Results >>The main outputs and results of the ROC project are:1) An overview of 11 countries’ national realities concerning the level of implementation of existing certifications for the qualifications in the Outdoor Sector by VET curricula (desk research + analysis > research report)2) Recommendations for improving existing and developing future Outdoors’ qualifications offered by European VET providers, thus increasing the number of well-trained employees needed by the SMEs of the Outdoor Sector and enhancing the job opportunities for less academically inclined younger employees3) Countries’ factsheets summarising the main facts of different countries4) Dissemination of ROC’s outputs to a wider audience (possible partners, policy making and decision-making structure, professionals of the Sector etc) through well organised events, with the great aim of overall recognition of the Outdoor Sector and the valorisation of VET-providers-HEI and what they provide5) Improvement of the partners’ capacity in European level project management and learning through collaboration and exchange of experience6) Strengthening the partners’ network and future expansion of it7) Plans and strategic steps designed to enhance the network and its future