A new Diploma in Travel and Tourism has been unveiled by People 1st and GoSkills at Best of Britain and Ireland (BOBI).
For the first time, the development of such a course saw significant involvement by leading industry employers and professional trade bodies, who believe the Diploma will provide a breakthrough in preparing young people for a potential career in travel and tourism.
The Diploma is designed to become a main education choice from September 2010 for 14-19 year olds in schools and colleges – alongside GCSEs, A levels and apprenticeships. It will combine theory and practice to equip students with the skills and knowledge of working life in travel and tourism.
The Diploma spans a wide range of sectors including:
- travel and tourism services
Students will be able to pick more specialised learning modules such as sustainable tourism development, customer service, business travel and transport planning.
John Humphreys, project leader for the Diploma said that employer involvement ensures Diploma students will be able to develop the essential knowledge, skills and attributes for future employment in their chosen field. But students will also have the skills to continue learning at college or take a tourism-related degree at university.
Humphreys believes following the Diploma will enable more school leavers to make an immediate contribution at work and need less basic training. Employers can then focus on specialist training suited to making their business more efficient.
Speaking at the launch event, ABTA chair John McEwan, who also chairs the steering group for the Diploma, said, ‘I am delighted by the response from employers to the Diploma. There has been an unprecedented level of employer engagement and a great deal of resources and effort invested.’
Steven Freudmann, Institute of Travel and Tourism chair added, ‘Diploma students will have an inherent advantage over others in their applications for jobs in this rapidly professionalising industry.’
Find out more on the Diploma in Travel and Tourism dedicated website at www.tandtdiploma.co.uk.