Ensino baseado em competências nos programas de formação técnico-profissional em turismo no município de Inhambane (Moçambique)

Abstract

Tourism and hospitality (T&H) Education is a critical factor in the qualification of professionals in the sector. Vocational-technical education (VTE) combined with the competency-based learning model play an important role in training in tourism. Together they contribute to the reduction versus mitigation of the discrepancy between the skills developed in training and the skills required by the market. The study aimed to analyze the adequacy and effectiveness of tourism vocational-technical education in Inhambane municipality (IM), with a view to aligning the skills of trained professionals with the demands of the local market, proposing improvements in the training model. Regarding the methodology, the study is qualitative and exploratory. The study is also guided by the interpretivist paradigm. The interviews and surveys constituted the data collection instruments defined for conducting the study. As for the interviews, they were aimed at managers of vocational-technical education institutions (VTEI) in tourism and hospitality in IM; and representatives of public and private entities linked to tourism and hospitality and, equally, employability in the sector. Regarding the surveys, their target audience was VTEI graduates and employers in the tourism and hospitality sector in IM. Likewise, the study was conducted through the analysis of instruments guiding education in Mozambique and, particularly, vocational-technical education in T&H. The analysis of the data provided by the different participants in the study and also by the guiding instruments of the VTE in tourism and hospitality in IM allowed, overall, to bring the following results: the VTE in tourism and hospitality in Inhambane municipality is conducted in compliance with the National Professional Qualifications Framework; operational skills (hard skills) and functional skills (soft skills) constitute the competencies defined in VTE programs in tourism in IM; the skills development process is carried out taking into account what is defined in the programs of the different courses and the conditions and resources that actually exist, such as facilities and equipment, teachers and financial resources. It is also important to say that several constraints are encountered during the teaching and learning process. This situation compromises, to a certain extent, the development of skills foreseen in the VTEI course programs. Therefore, it is concluded that the teaching and learning process in VTE courses only contributes to the development of basic skills for carrying out activities in the T&H sector. The skills developed are not adjusted to the current dynamics and demands of the tourism and hospitality sector, both in the global and local context. Thus, the study proposes new training parameters that take into account market skills and the educational profile of tourism and hospitality vocational-technical training in Inhambane municipality. From this perspective, the proposed training model parameters aim to make the VTE more responsive to the current global and local dynamics and demands of the T&H sector. A vocational-technical education is proposed based on the harmonious and articulated relationship between global trends in the tourism and hospitality sector, global trends in tourism and hospitality education, government, vocational-technical education institutions and companies in the T&H sector in Inhambane municipality.