BestEDU conference on the changes in non-formal and lifelong learning training in Italy during the COVID pandemic, with keynotes by guests from Italian training sector. All keynotes will be offered in the project proceedings.

The conference took place on 27 May 2022 and included the following guests and keynote presenters:

• Dr. Angelo Candido (FEDERALBERGHI NAZIONALE)
• Dr. Andrea Cutrì (FONDIR)
• Dr. Ilaria Di Croce (QUADRIFOR)
• Dr. Massimo Abbate (FICTUS)
• Dr. Eleonora Pisicchio (FOR.TE.)
• Mr. Tito Livio Mongelli, Galileo.it S.r.l. (IT)
• Dr. Giuseppe Spadaro (FITEL)​
  
  

Keynote - Dr. Angelo Candido: Experiences of FEDERALBERGHI NAZIONALE
Angelo Candido is Head of Service at FEDERALBERGHI NAZIONALE which is the National Association of Italian Hoteliers.

• Training was reduced whereas employees were not working during the lockdown. At the same time training providers and eomployers liked the changes in training provision. Very little distance training was done in hospitality in the past, but ecause of COVID this has changed the field for the future.
• Poor connection and low ICT skills are the biggest obstacles. During the pandemic there was more focus on creating online training material, but now they have to take more look at quality, methodologies, involvement of employees, etc. 

 
Keynote  - Dr. Andrea Cutrì: Experiences of FONDIR
FONDIR is a bilateral fund of top managers of banks, insurance companies, services, commerce and tourism sector). Andrea Cutrì is control and reporting area specialist at Fondir.
 

• Questions & Comments
• In 2019 a total of 60% of training provision in the industry was one-to-one presence, but online training was the most poplular method in 2021. Overview of actions and instentives to change physical classrooms to online version.
• How will this look when they are not forced to offer online training? "We don't need anything in order to change how we offer training. We only need the decision to do it"

 
Keynote - Dr. Ilaria Di Croce, Experiences of QUADRIFOR
Ilaria Di Croce is the Director of Quadrifor, which is a bilateral Institute for training for middle managers in the tertiary sector, distribution and services.
 

• ​Questions & Comments
• In 2020 they had to change from 100% face-to-face training to 100% online training in virtual classes. Teachers reluctant to change but do not want to change back to face-to-face training even after restrictions have been lifted.
• You managed to make the switch in a week with drastic changes for platforms, methodologies and teachers. What good recommendations or lessons learned can you give others that have similar challenges?: "Have the will to change, involve the team and clear targets. Don't be affraid of the change."
• Better use of time is the main positive result of the changes made in training activities during the pandemic.
• Quote from Catholic University of Milan. "It's not the physical place that makes the difference but the personality of the trainer and the ability to express feedback." Distance training needs a connection to a real person, not a recording.
• Covid has taught us how to listen to our members and implement the desired changes.
• They [the students] were better prepared than we were. Would be good to have a glossary or guidelines for course participation.

 
Keynote - Dr. Massimo Abbate: Experiences of FICTUS
Massimo Abbate is the Director of FICTUS which is the Italian Federation of Cultural, Tourist and Sports Entities. National non-profit association with millions of members.
 

• Questions & Comments
• Using gamification to introduce training activities to the elderly, along with other methods such as using telephone support to reduce esclusion.
• There is also a changing demography of elderly, with people that have grown up and worked with the internet comprising the group of elderly within the next copule of decades. Italy has one of the worst level of ICT skills elderly and the demography is one of the largest in the world.

 
Keynote - Dr. Eleonora Pisicchio: Experiences of FOR.TE
Eleonora Pisicchio is the director of FOR.TE, whick is a bilateral fund for the training of workers of enterprises in commerce, services and tourism.
 

• Questions & Comments
• Changes of rating systems for training providers to be more flexible towards online learning provision.
• Presentation of examples of good practice during Covid in SINA Hotel Group. During the collapse of the tourism industry SINA group invested in both new hotels and training of new employees.

 
Keynote - Mr. Tito Livio Mongelli: Experience of SKÅL INTERNATIONAL ROMA
Tito Livio Mongelli is the president of Galileo.it S.r.l. and Vice President of SKÅL INTERNATIONAL EUROPE, part of Skal International, the oldest and largest tourism manager Association in the world.

The third BestEDU transnational meeting took place in Rome, Italy on 27 - 28 May 2022. The primary focus for the meeting was on adult education and non-formal training during Covid, the challenges and impact the pandemic had on training activities in Italian industry.