There are a wide range of hospitality-related qualifications. Here we take a look at the main ones, how they help and what they involve...
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)
NVQs and SVQs can be studied for while working, and there are no entry requirements. You can achieve an NVQ/SVQ after one year's full-time study or two years' part-time college attendance. Work experience is involved.
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs)
A Foundation MA (FMA) takes a year or two, and an Advanced MA (AMA) about three years. A training programme takes you to NVQ level 3 in hospitality. You can then study: chef, housekeeping, hospitality services, reception, restaurant, hospitality quick service or pub.
Apprentices complete a Technical Certificate and an Employers' Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) course. The Technical Certificate helps develop apprentices' specific, occupational knowledge. The ERR ensures apprentices know their responsibilities and rights regarding employment law, the organisation they work for, and the hospitality industry as a whole.
Vocational A Level or Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
This qualification provides a general introduction to vocational areas of hospitality, leisure and tourism. You can do it at schools and colleges.
Scottish Group Award (SGA)
Aimed at 16- to 18-year-olds, this qualification prepares students for work in hospitality, tourism and other occupations, and for higher education.
Foundation Degree
This is a two-year degree course studied in college. It offers the students the chance to gain higher education while still working. After the two-year course, students can opt to do a third year and obtain a university honours degree.
Higher National Diploma (HND) and Higher National Certificate (HNC)
These offer training for potential managers who have one A level and GSCEs, advanced GNVQ or SGA. A two-year full-time college course will yield a hospitality and tourism HND. Work placements are integral to the course.
Degrees
Degree courses are available in hospitality and tourism management. Expect to do three years at university with a possible fourth year as a work placement.
Graduate Apprenticeships
This is for diploma holders and graduates from any academic discipline. The course provides practical knowledge of the hospitality industry. Apprentices will be in full-time employment in the hospitality industry, and will undertake key skills and NVQ courses while in the workplace. There is no timescale.
Courses around the world
Many universities worldwide have hospitality and tourism departments:
- Hotel School, The Hague, the Netherlands (www.hotelschool.nl).
This school offers a number of degree-level courses in hospitality. To get in, you'll need six good GCSE grades.
- Ecole Hoteli?re de Lausanne, Switzerland (www.ehl.ch).
Courses here include the International Hospitality Management Programme. You'll need some practical experience, at least five GCSEs and two A levels. There's also an 18-month Management of Hotel Operations course.
- Hotel School at Cornell University, USA (www.hotelschool.cornell.edu).
This hotel school offers undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes. There's a 150-bedroom teaching hotel ? The Statler Hotel ? and a Conference Centre, to give students actual experience of the hospitality industry.
- Emirates Academy, Dubai (www.jumeriahinternationl.com/academy/index.htm).
Students doing the BSc in International Hospitality Management here spend two six-month semesters at the Ecole Hoteli?re de Lausanne during their four-year programme.