This research analyses the current self-reported level of proficiency of environmental skills, the required future level of proficiency, and the gaps between them. Given the increasingly urgent need for the tourism industry to take action to support environmental management practices, this research provides evidence of key environmental skill gaps. Mixed methods research is applied where the sample includes 1404 respondents to a questionnaire and 264 interviewees from senior management of organisations from five tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, food and beverage outlets, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel agents, visitor attractions) in eight European countries. Analysis of variance, t-tests, correlation and cluster analyses, and Pearson Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the country of registration, the size and the tourism sector type influence significantly the current and future proficiency levels of environmental skills, and the gaps between them. Most respondents did not receive environmental skills training. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are also discussed.
The quality of mentoring in teacher education is an essential component of a powerful learning environment for teachers. There is no single approach to mentoring that will work in the same way for every teacher in each context. Nevertheless, most mentor teachers hardly vary their supervisory behaviour in response to varying mentoring situations. Developing versatility in mentor teachers' use of supervisory skills, then, is an important challenge. In this chapter, we discuss the need for mentor teacher preparation and explain the focus, content, and pedagogy underlying a particular training programme for mentor teachers, entitled Supervision Skills for Mentor teachers to Activate Reflection in Teachers (SMART). Also, findings from several studies assessing mentor teachers' supervisory roles and use of supervisory skills in mentoring dialogues, before and after the SMART programme, are presented. In addition, implications and perspectives for mentor teacher development and preparation are discussed.
Welke concrete veranderingen hebben plaatsgevonden op het werk en welke 21st century skills zijn of worden essentieel om het werk te kunnen blijven uitvoeren? Deze vraag stelden lectoren Petra Biemans (Hogeschool Inholland) en Ellen Sjoer (De Haagse Hogeschool) zichzelf. Het antwoord op deze vraag is te vinden in het boek ‘Werk verandert. 21st century skills in de praktijk'. Spelen onderwijsinstellingen voldoende en tijdig in op de vaardigheden die toekomstbestendige werknemers en ondernemers nodig hebben? Of krijgen studenten zodra ze de arbeidsmarkt betreden een cultuurshock omdat het onderwijs achterblijft? Hoe en welke van de 21st century skills effectief in het onderwijs geïmplementeerd kunnen worden vereist volgens de lectoren nog vervolgonderzoek.
