EAfA Member Spotlight: ITS Academy della Puglia per il Turismo i Beni e le Attività Culturali ed Artistiche

In this spotlight article, we speak with ‘ITS Academy della Puglia per il Turismo i Beni e le Attività Culturali ed Artistiche’ to celebrate their successes in offering higher technological training programmes in the fields of hospitality, tourism and cultural and creative industry management in Puglia, Italy. We interviewed Imma Petio, Head of Institutional, International Relations and Communication, to learn how ITS Academy Turismo della Puglia’s pledge supports EAfA’s goals and the wider VET landscape. 

Can you provide an overview of your pledge and which EAfA objectives it relates to? 

Apprenticeships play a crucial role in giving individuals the skills, knowledge and experience to succeed in the dynamic and rewarding tourism industry. We believe our participation in the Alliance will help better prepare our students for successful careers and contribute to the overall growth and competitiveness of the sector in Puglia. 

Through our pledge, we are implementing a structured progress review for apprentices’ development and success. Each year, we aim to award more third-level apprenticeship contracts to students, collaborating with local schools, colleges and community organisations to promote apprenticeships as a viable career option. 

We have also pledged to facilitate collaboration by hosting international partners like our French partners ‘Centres of Vocational Excellence’ or ‘Campus des métiers et des qualifications’ in November. Last year, we hosted Eures Offices from Austria and Malta, and we began collaborating with Albania. 

Our pledge supports several EAfA goals, including enhancing the supply and perception of apprenticeships, fostering digital competencies, facilitating cross-border mobility and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry to create a more inclusive workforce. 

In which fields are ITS Academy Turismo della Puglia’s apprenticeships? 

We offer post-secondary, two-years-long higher technological programmes (ITS) leading to EQF level 5 in hospitality, tourism and cultural and creative industries management. 

Collaborating with industry partners and government agencies, we offer Higher Education and Research Apprenticeship opportunities. This type of apprenticeship, called ‘3d level apprenticeship’ in Italy, is for young people aged between 18 and 29 to achieve higher education degrees (including PhDs) for research activities or access to regulated professions. Companies can benefit from highly skilled, specialised apprentices and young people can improve their skills and employability in the job market. 

ITS Academy acts as a bridge from learners to companies because we provide practical, job-oriented training for students to enter the European job market, focusing on innovative digital ICTs. Practical experience represents 45% of learning hours, with students undertaking 400-hour per year internships in companies, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism offices and tourism-related organisations. 

How did you first hear about EAfA and why did you decide to submit a pledge? 

Thanks to our Regional EURES Office, we were introduced to the Alliance as an opportunity to establish new partnerships with organisations across Europe, gain insights into innovative apprenticeship programmes, and develop high-quality apprenticeships in sector. 

We were the first ITS Academy in Puglia to join the Alliance and we were honoured as EAfA Champion 2024. Completing an apprenticeship can significantly enhance career prospects in tourism. With an ITS Academy Diploma (a recognised qualification) and relevant work experience, individuals can access job opportunities and progress to senior roles. 

The ITS’ mission to answer enterprises’ demand for technicians with new and higher technological skills enables our students to promote innovation and manage organisation and production processes. 

Through our membership, we aim to promote the importance and benefits of work-based learning for young people and businesses. 

How has EAfA membership helped your organisation with regional collaboration and partnerships across Europe? 

EAfA Membership has boosted our visibility and recognisability in European initiatives, fostering regional collaboration, and helping us establish new partnerships. Through networking and best practice sharing, we can work on joint projects and research with other EAfA members on projects, research initiatives and pilot programmes. 

We are establishing contacts with tourism sector members involved to kick off a programme on job training in Europe and received a collaboration proposal for a project about digital and sustainability competencies in tourism. 

What opportunities has your organisation taken to contribute to EAfA activities? 

We were honoured to participate to the EAfA High Level event in June in Brussels as an EAfA Champion and our education institution had the chance to network with important strategic stakeholders and colleagues. 

How have you promoted EAfA membership to your members/partners? 

We have promoted EAfA membership to the students, teachers and companies we work with through our website, social media and through collaboration with educational institutions on events and projects, such as the recent WorldSkills Conference 2024 in Lyon, France. 

Since submitting a pledge, what activities has your organisation undertaken to achieve the EAfA objectives in their pledge? 

Since submitting our pledge, we've collaborated with local businesses to create new apprenticeship partnerships and opportunities with schools and companies through our curricular paths and enhanced the image of apprenticeships through video testimonials from students and apprentices. 

Do you have any standout stories to share about apprentices who have successfully completed an apprenticeship? 

An example of a standout story is our class of 25 students who were hired with a Higher Education and Research Apprenticeship contract by Elior Group, a leading catering company in line with the ever-changing lifestyles in Bari, Italy. 

Selected by the company during the admission tests  our for ‘Caring on Board’ school, students signed a contract which will lead them to obtain their ITS Higher Technological Diploma through a curriculum entirely designed in collaboration with Elior Group. Students will learn to manage restaurant and food and beverage services, welcoming and serving guests on board trains. 

The entire educational path was planned to combine 580 hours of practical training and teaching and 420 working hours per year for a total amount of 2000 hours over two years. Every student follows an individual training path, clearly defining the learner’s outcomes in the two learning environments: ‘Education or Training Institution’ and ‘Company’. 

Moreover, we received this year the National and Provincial prize for the apprenticeship experience of one of our student Angelica, awarded by Unioncamere and the Chamber of Commerce of Lecce. Angelica’s apprenticeship in digital marketing and hospitality management took place in Lecce (Puglia Region), Paris and Morocco, as part of a multicultural ‘hotel project’. 

Why should other organisations join EAfA and submit a pledge?  

We strongly recommend other organisations join EAfA to make them stronger in terms of visibility and recognition at both national and European level, thanks to networking and learning with actors of apprenticeships across Europe. 

EAfA provides a platform which facilitates collaborations, resource access and exchange of best practices in apprenticeships. EAfA helps to enhance programme quality contributing to workforce development and economic growth and as part of it we can actively shape European apprenticeship policies, influencing the future direction of apprenticeships in Europe. 

Has ITS Academy Turismo della Puglia’s story inspired you to learn more about submitting a EAfA pledge? Find out how you can start your journey to becoming a EAfA member on our EAfA Membership and Pledges webpage.