How to work on skills and capacity building from a national perspective: a best practice from Portugal

National and Regional Skills Partnerships (NRSPs) are collaborative platforms designed to bring together the full tourism ecosystem, education providers, industry representatives, public authorities and social partners around a shared mission: aligning skills development with the real and evolving needs of the sector. Emerging from the work of the Next Tourism Generation Alliance and strengthened through the European Commission’s Pact for Skills in tourism, NRSPs have become a practical mechanism to translate European ambition into national and regional action. Through projects such as PANTOUR, they build continuity, reuse proven methodologies, and foster structured cooperation between stakeholders who shape the future of tourism skills.

At their core, NRSPs aim to improve partnerships between industry and education to ensure that digital, green and social skills are effectively integrated into tourism training and professional practice. They provide a neutral and trusted coordination space where labour market intelligence, policy priorities and on-the-ground business realities meet. By doing so, NRSPs accelerate the identification of emerging skills gaps, support the co-creation of relevant training solutions, and strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and attractiveness of tourism careers.

The Portuguese NRSP offers a strong example of how this model can succeed in practice. Structured around a national commission and supported by regional bodies covering the entire territory, the partnership ensures that regional insights directly inform national strategy. PANTOUR partner Turismo de Portugal explains their road to succes.

National and Regional Skills Pact (NRSP) in Portugal

Portugal’s National/Regional Skills Partnership (NRSP) for Tourism operates through the National Commission for Tourism Training (CNFT) and its 12 Regional Commissions. The NRSP was structured around the CNFT, created within Turismo de Portugal’s mission to bring together all institutions relevant to skills development in tourism. From the outset, the model combined a strong national commission with 12 Regional Commissions covering the entire territory, ensuring regional needs inform national priorities. Three permanent workstreams were established: Studies & Information, Training & Innovation, and Valuing Professions, allowing evidence and dialogue to be converted into concrete outputs. In parallel, the NRSP aligned with key European initiatives, namely the Pact for Skills and PANTOUR.

 

Members decided to adhere because the CNFT provides a neutral coordination space where stakeholders can align training with labour market needs and enhance the social value of tourism careers. The partnership’s broad composition ensures each member has a voice in strategic discussions and capacity to influence outcomes. From inception, a wide base of members was invited to participate, and additional members have continued to join. Participation also connects members to the European ecosystem through the EU Pact for Skills and PANTOUR, providing benefits such as faster identification of skills gaps, access to tailored training solutions, and networking opportunities. At regional level, the Regional Commissions serve as active advisory bodies within Turismo de Portugal Schools Network territories.

 

There are sever activities that engaged them:

1. Regional diagnosis and guidance: The 12 Regional Commissions identify medium- to long-term training needs at territorial level, advise on alignment of training with labour market demand, and foster knowledge transfer between schools and companies.
2. Evidence-based work and joint projects: Members actively co-created, discussed, and validated studies and pilot initiatives, anchoring strategic debate in robust evidence.
3. Design and implementation of targeted programs: New projects and programs have been designed to qualify the tourism workforce and respond to emerging skills needs.
4. Resource curation and dissemination: The Commission curated and shared practical tools including the EDI Good Practices Handbook, Tourism Skills Profile, National Agenda for Tourism Professions, and Digital Academy of Turismo de Portugal.
5. Plenary sessions and regional workshops: Regular plenary sessions and regional workshops provide structured moments for exchange, reflection, and joint decision-making.

 

Moreover there are several factors that made the Portuguese NRSP successful:

1. Whole-of-ecosystem governance: Structured around one National Commission with 12 Regional Commissions, ensuring strategic alignment at national level while maintaining responsiveness to regional needs.
2. Strong institutional leadership: Led by Turismo de Portugal, providing legitimacy and strategic direction, reinforced by the Turismo de Portugal Schools Network.
3. Inclusive and flexible engagement: Brings together entities from different domains and education levels, creating a truly cross-sectoral approach.
4. Shared working mindset: Common commitment to professional valorisation of tourism workers underpins all activities.
5. Integration into national strategies: Consistently embedded within broader tourism sector strategies, ensuring skills policies connect to sectoral priorities.
6. EU alignment and leverage: Aligns with the Tourism Large-Scale Skills Partnership roadmap and reuses PANTOUR methodologies and tools.

 

However, there are some improvements that can be made, such as faster “lab-to-market” transfer, namely accelerate translation of insights into training provision using channels like the Digital Academy. A greater regularity of activities would be beneficial because it increases regularity within established working groups. The NRSP would benefit from stronger evidence base, meaning that additional resources for research and development, particularly applied studies focused on Portuguese tourism. Lastly, dedicated funding are needed directly support Commission activities.

 

What would you like to tell your members and other NRSPs?

Thank you for helping us build a trusted, evidence-based platform that aligns education and training with the real needs of Portuguese tourism. Your commitment and collaboration have shown how powerful this forum can be in supporting effective qualification of people and professions across the sector. In a context of rapid labour market transformation driven by digitalisation, sustainability challenges, demographic change, and evolving business models, this cooperation is no longer optional—it is essential. Without sustained collaboration between public authorities, education providers, social partners, and companies, we cannot anticipate change or respond effectively to emerging skills needs. To our members and other NRSPs across Europe, we emphasise the value of working together, sharing evidence, experiences, and solutions. By strengthening cooperation within and across borders, we can better support people, improve the attractiveness and resilience of tourism careers, and collectively shape a skilled workforce ready for future challenges and opportunities. Let us continue to learn from one another and contribute actively to a stronger, more future-oriented tourism ecosystem.