Newsletter - STED End of Phase 1 by SwisscontactIndonesia

The STED (Sustainable Tourism Education Development) project aims to contribute to this goal by working towards a better qualified workforce with relevant skills for the tourism sector. Demand driven education will ensure that graduates meet the standards required by the Indonesian tourism sector, and will equip them with better knowledge on sustainability and inclusion, thereby creating more and better jobs for local population.

The project is part of a broader system. While the primary beneficiary is the tourism destination of Lombok, the broader tourism sector in Indonesia and the Indonesian TVET system will also benefit from the project´s results via strengthening of a network of education institutions under the MTCE (Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy). The consortium partner SHL (Swiss Hotel School Lucerne) adds relevant practical background in the tourism and hospitality sector. The approach applied by STED is based on best practice of the Swiss dual skills development system adapted to the local context.

Executive Summary

The Sustainable Tourism Education Development (STED) Project has officially concluded its Phase I in 2023, marking the full circle of the 6-year project that began in 2018. During its first phase, STED partnered with Lombok Tourism Polytechnic (Politeknik Pariwisata Lombok/PPL) to improve the polytechnic’s training relevance, strengthen industry relations, and encourage knowledge sharing, networking, and policy dialogue.

For its Phase II, STED and the Skills for Competitiveness (S4C) projects are merged into Swiss Skills for Competitiveness (SS4C), Swisscontact’s new flagship program on skills development in Indonesia. The program aims to enhance industry-relevant skills for dual Vocational Education and Training (dVET) graduates, therefore boosting competitiveness of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. In doing so, the program focuses on strengthening skills systems stakeholders at different levels, including government agencies, chambers of commerce, industry actors, and polytechnics.

SVEB training in tourism education, enhancing teaching methods and curriculum relevance.

• Project-Based Learning (PBL): Introduced at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, PBL enhances students’ practical skills in culinary arts, catering, and hospitality management.

• In-Company Trainer (In-CT) Trainings: Fortyeight workplace trainers were certified in Lombok and Bali, improving workplace standards and skills within the hospitality sector.

• Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Program: Providing real-world experience through internships, the IBL program at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic prepares students for careers in hospitality.

Statement from Partner

The Sustainable Tourism Education Development (STED) project’s work at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic has laid a strong foundation for teaching and learning in line with international standards. The project has also contributed to improving the teaching culture at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, particularly in developing high quality human resources (HR) for both faculty and students. Our collaboration with the STED project has inspired us for further innovation, leading to the implementation of new initiatives that are aligned with the goals of the STED project and the advancements we are pursuing.

Among them are entrepreneurship-related initiatives and practical work experience units, such as industry-based learning (IBL) and the development of its supporting logbook, as well as initiating partnerships with the private sector such as hotels and travel agencies. We believe that such initiatives would pave the way for us to prepare our students to be more competitive as they enter the tourism and hospitality industries. We are proud to be partnering with Swisscontact Indonesia through the STED project and are very much looking forward for future collaboration that could propel us towards becoming a world-class tourism polytechnic.

Dr. Ali Muhtasom, S.Sos., M.M., CHCM., CHE. Director of Lombok Tourism Polytechnic

Phase II Outlook

After completing its first phase in 2023, the STED project has merged with the Skills for Competitiveness (S4C) project into a new program called Swiss Skills for Competitiveness (SS4C). SS4C’s work will focus on enhancing the capabilities of both public and private dual vocational education and training (dVET) providers, to ensure their graduates possess industry-relevant skills. This enhanced competitiveness is anticipated to bolster the productivity of small and medium

enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia, making them more competitive on the global market. By being more industry-centred, the SS4C program aims to institutionalise and sustainably scale up key elements of dVET in polytechnics and enterprises, by strengthening the dVET ecosystem of selected industry sectors in selected locations in Indonesia. The program will work with various stakeholders at different levels of the Indonesian dVET ecosystem, including micro-, meso-, and macro-level, rather than exclusively working directly with polytechnics. These stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Industry’s Agency of Industrial Human Resources Development (AIHRD), the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), the national and regional chambers of commerce, lead companies, associations, private service providers, and both public and private polytechnics, are expected to play a critical role as facilitators and amplifiers in scaling up the implementation of dVET components to other progressive VET institutions and enterprises.

Enhances public sector dVET provision, involving selected polytechnics and centers of Excellence under SS4C’s partner ministries.

Emphasizes private sector involvement in dVET, engaging sector associations, chambers of commerce, and companies as individual service providers.

Aims to integrate the experiences from Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 into the broader national and sub-national skills ecosystems.

Intervention Highlights

SVEB

As a part of its capacity building initiative, the STED project supported 18 lecturers from six polytechnics to participate in the Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SVEB) training certification. At the end of the Lecturer Capacity Building Program held in cooperation with Schweizerische

Participants’ testimonials:

“This training has inspired us not only as lecturers but also as human beings. In education, there are no students and there are no lecturers, but we are the same people who are willing to learn to build our future together and become better humans Selvi Novianti, Lecturer, NHI Bandung Tourism Polytechnic.

“The SVEB Program for Vocational Education has been a rich and dynamic learning experience. It has significantly broadened my horizons as an educator, providing me with invaluable tools to create engaging and effective learning environments. As I conclude this program, I am filled with a sense of empowerment and enthusiasm to apply these newfound insights in my role as a lecturer. The journey has been transformative, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on both my teaching style and the learning experiences

Muhammad Anas, S.E., MM., CHE, Lecturer, Makassar Tourism Polytechnic.

All SVEB 2023 Participants with SHL Representatives

Practical Session from SHL lecturers for SVEB 2023 participants during the Phase 2

Project-based Learning (PBL)

The collaboration between Lombok Tourism Polytechnic and SHL Switzerland has introduced a projectbased learning (PBL) model, focusing on hotel and travel management. This innovative approach features four student-led projects: Culinary Arts, Catering, Travel Arrangements, and Rooms Division. These projects provide hands-on experience in menu planning, event management, tour package design, room operations, and guest services, addressing industry demands directly.

Industry leaders collaborated to select PBL topics, ensuring relevance to real-world challenges. Insights from discussions highlighted complexities in tour package planning, homestay management, traditional beverage promotion, and bakery product innovation. By integrating these insights, the partnership not only deepens students’ grasp of hospitality concepts but also cultivates practical skills and problemsolving abilities essential for success in the dynamic hospitality and tourism sectors.

Participants’ testimonials:

“I wanted to join this workshop to learn more about the methods in implementing PBL in practical classes to be effective and get appropriate outcomes. For the implementation to run smoothly, I think it is necessary to prepare time, learning model, readiness, and discussion with the facilitator.” - Ida Ayu Yadnya Sari Dewi Utami P., Lecturer, Lombok Tourism Polytechnic.

Project-based Learning between Lombok Tourism Polytechnic and SHL Switzerland

By the end of STED Phase I, the project had conducted a series of In-Company Trainer (InCT) trainings, resulting in the certification of 48 InCTs in Lombok and Bali, with 46% male and 54% female participation. The trainings are based on the International Workplace Trainer Training Basic (AdAIB), which offers a comprehensive approach to equip workplace trainers with essential skills, enhancing employee capabilities and productivity. By integrating workplace learning with theoretical education from schools, the trainings ensure that participants develop directly applicable skills for real work environments.

With 46% male and 54% female participants, the trainings highlight their inclusivity and broad impact across different sectors and institutions within the hospitality and tourism

industry. Moreover, participation from reputable establishments like Novotel and Pullman in Lombok, as well as Kempinski, The Legian and Aman Hotels in Bali, underscores industry-wide recognition of the training’s importance in enhancing workplace standards and fostering skills development.

Participants from hospitality industry showing their certificates of In-CT training program in Lombok, June 2023

In-CT training

Industry-based Learning (IBL)

The STED project developed an IndustryBased Learning (IBL) program with the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic to combine classroom knowledge with practical skills, providing students with real-world experiences and opportunities to apply theoretical concepts in professional settings. Through internships and industry collaborations, students develop problem-solving skills, gain hands-on experience, and deepen their understanding of their field of study.

Fifteen students were selected from 96 applicants from the Diploma III Room Division and Diploma III Culinary Arts study programs to join the pilot IBL program.

The program blended in-campus learning with practical sessions at Novotel Villas and Resort Lombok, facilitated by PPL, the STED project and Wise Steps Foundation.

A survey conducted during the program showed encouraging findings. Notably, 40% of participants reported gaining new experiences, demonstrating the program’s dynamic learning environment. Additionally, a significant 33% increase in participants’ self-confidence was observed, indicating effective personal development. Furthermore, 27% of participants mentioned establishing new professional connections, highlighting the program’s emphasis on networking within the hospitality industry. The survey also led to the improvement of the existing program guidelines, ensuring future iterations are more user-friendly and tailored to the needs of tourism and hospitality industry as well as VETs.

“During my third semester, I participated in the industry-based learning (IBL) program from July to December 2023. Now, in my fourth semester, I am doing a 6-month internship program at Fairfield Marriott Bangka Belitung. The IBL program offered me invaluable real-world experiences in hotel operations, such as guest interactions and departmental tasks, under direct mentorship from hotel supervisors. This hands-on learning has significantly prepared me for my current internship program and enhanced my career prospects in Said Paturroby, D3 Room Division Student, Lombok Tourism Polytechnic.

Students of Lombok Tourism Polytechnic receiving orientation from Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas for IBL Pilot Program.