Zabok Regional Center of Competence in Tourism and Hospitality opened

The Regional Center of Competence (RCK) in Tourism and Hospitality Zabok - Zabok High School announced its work in a new, modernly equipped space that is a combination of innovative solutions for educational needs at the world level.

It is a project worth more than 9,2 million euros and currently the largest project being implemented in the Krapina-Zagorje County.

By transforming into a Center of Competence, Zabok High School provided the conditions for adequate education, the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are expected of tourism staff in the private sector.

Emphasis on practical teaching

In addition to modernized and new classrooms, practicums, a training center and common areas, the Center also has an academic-hospitality facility with accommodation units of different categories, which will provide the best practical training to the Center's participants through business segments in real situations. 

In addition to creating appropriate conditions for top education, the goal in such a facility is to enable work-based learning, provide a unique example of good practice and a demonstrative example of green architecture and functionality in the economic sector in Croatia and the surrounding area, states the European Commission.

Creative and innovative learning

The training and education of existing teachers, the hiring of specialized experts to work with students and adults, the development and modernization of teaching programs, the establishment of lifelong learning through the offer of specialized programs, the promotion of the profession and the strengthening of professions through creative and innovative work-based learning are planned. 

A modern Center has been established that will be able to quickly respond to changes in trends in the tourism and catering sector. In the long term, RCK wants to become a national center of quality education and training of personnel in tourism and hospitality, as well as a center of development and innovation as a nursery of ideas and new trends in the quality of service provision.

The project is worth 9,5 million euros

The value of this project is EUR 9,5 million, and it was co-financed with the funds of the European Regional Development Fund in the amount of EUR 3,98 million and the national co-financing fund in the amount of EUR 1,33 million, while the remaining amount is needed to complete the investment in in the amount of 4,19 million euros.

The project is implemented as part of the Operational Program 'Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020', Priority axis 9 Education, skills and lifelong learning, Investment priority 10a Investment in education, training and vocational training with the aim of acquiring skills and lifelong learning by developing education infrastructure and training, SC 10a3 Increasing the relevance of vocational education through improving the conditions for acquiring practical skills in targeted sectors of secondary vocational education with the aim of achieving greater employability of secondary vocational education students. 

The significance of this project at the national level is confirmed by the fact that the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, was also present at the opening ceremony, who together with the Prefect of the Krapina-Zagorje County Željko Kolar, opened the newly built premises of the Regional Center of Competence Zabok High School, according to the website of Srednja Zabok school.

Photo: Zabok High School, Zagorje Development Agency
Source: European Comission, Secondary school Zabok