Member of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition
Competence-based training, validation and digital certification for tourist guides
UTGA Academy is a European-facing qualification hub that combines professional training, validation of non-formal learning, digital credentials and public verification for tourist guides.
Built on EN 15565, aligned with EQF, extended through Cedefop-aligned validation and Open Badges.
Learn → Validate → Certify → Verify
Not only training. A complete qualification ecosystem.
UTGA does not operate as a simple course provider. It connects competence-based learning with validation, certification, digital profiles and public verification.
Training
Programmes structured around professional learning outcomes and field-based practice.
Validation
Recognition of skills acquired through practice, non-formal learning and experience.
Certification
EQF-oriented qualification status supported by competence-based assessment.
Verification
Digital registry and Open Badges create transparent, portable proof of skills.
European standards are the foundation of trust.
Our quality framework is built upon EN 15565:2008 and its implementation in Ukraine as ДСТУ EN 15565:2016. We extend this training standard through digital validation, public verification and qualification transparency.
- Competence-based training structure
- Practical training emphasis and independent assessment
- Professional ethics and inclusive service standards
- Internal quality assurance of training content and trainers
From experience to qualification.
The UTGA Validation Framework applies a European model for recognising skills acquired through practice, real guiding experience and non-formal learning.
- Identification of existing competence
- Documentation through a digital portfolio and registry profile
- Assessment by experts, demonstration and evidence review
- Certification via Open Badges and qualification status
Learn → Validate → Certify → Verify
This pathway makes guide qualifications understandable to learners, employers, partners and European institutions.
Open Badges and Skills Passport for the digital economy.
Every validated guide can receive digital credentials issued through the UTGA Open Badges system and displayed through a public professional profile.
- JSON-LD compatible Open Badges
- Qualification level + additional competence badges
- Registry-based public verification
- Skills Passport logic for professional mobility
Verifiable digital profile
The guide profile combines qualification level, competence badges, evidence of learning and public verification in one professional identity layer.
A structured progression from entry-level competence to sector leadership.
UTGA uses a transparent pathway that makes progression visible, measurable and linked to digital credentials.
Verified Credential
EQF 4
Start Competence
Entry-level foundation for guides building core professional skills.
Verified Credential
EQF 5
Base Competence
Competence-based qualification for guides with validated practice.
Verified Credential
EQF 5
Specialized Guide
Additional fields such as heritage, gastro, digital or inclusive guiding.
Verified Credential
EQF 6
Master Guide / Trainer
Advanced role combining expertise, mentorship and trainer capacity.
Professional Tourist Guide Certification Programme
A competence-based programme for aspiring and practicing tourist guides, integrating heritage interpretation, digital tools, inclusive practice, field experience and qualification visibility.
- Professional guiding methods and route planning
- Digital tools and AI-assisted content support
- Inclusive and ethical service delivery
- Assessment linked to certification and registry visibility
Masters Guiding Masters
UTGA supports work-based learning through a mentorship model that connects professional development with field practice, trainer formation and quality culture in the sector.
- Mentor pathway for experienced guides
- Trainer development and national capacity building
- Peer review and competence transfer
- CoVE-ready logic for European collaboration
UTGA Institutional Architecture 2026
Система ВАГ побудована як національна галузева інфраструктура, що поєднує управління, стандарти, освіту, дані, партнерства та регіональну присутність.
Управління
Стратегія, контроль, легітимність
- Загальні збори
- Правління
- Голова Правління
- Секретаріат
- Контрольно-ревізійна комісія
Стандарти та кваліфікації
Правила професії та довіра до кваліфікацій
- Галузева рада
- Кваліфікаційний центр
- Експертна рада
- Рада національних тренерів
Освіта та професійний розвиток
Навчання, перекваліфікація та розвиток професії
- Академія туризму та гостинності
- Департамент навчання дорослих
- Департамент цифрової освіти та інновацій
- Департамент навчання ветеранів
- Департамент навчання молоді
Research, Data & Validation
Центральне ядро інфраструктури ВАГ
- Data Management & Registry Hub
- Open Badges System
- Валідація компетентностей
- Skills Intelligence & Labour Market Analytics
- Knowledge & Publications Hub
Партнерства та вплив
Зв’язки, масштабування та суспільний ефект
- Департамент міжнародної співпраці
- Government Relations
- Employer Liaison / Career Center
- Робоча група з адаптації ветеранів
- Scientific Advisory Board
Регіональна мережа
Присутність, дані та координація по країні
- Регіональні осередки Академії
- Центральний / Західний / Східний / Південний кластери
- Регіональні молодіжні центри
- Координатори
Registry & Verification
Public guide profiles create immediate proof of trust for partners, organisers and visitors.
Policy & Research
UTGA develops standards, reports and analytical materials for the modernisation of the profession.
Partnerships
We are open to collaboration with VET providers, cultural institutions and European partners.
Ready to work with UTGA as a learner, guide or partner?
Explore our programmes, validation system and standards, or contact us regarding certification, VET cooperation, Erasmus+ partnerships and sectoral development.