How aware is the higher education sector of the Hospitality Diploma?
People 1st is engaged in a drive to raise awareness of the Hospitality Diploma, in higher education institutions, through presentations to higher education academics and through targeted publications. The first of this year's presentations will take place at the annual Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) conference. This conference will take place on the 13th, 14th and 15th of May 2009 at the Cavendish Hotel, Eastbourne, and is being organised by the University of Brighton. As well as presentations related to hospitality based research and hospitality teaching and learning issues in higher education, there will be a presentation on the 14-18 Hospitality Diploma. This presentation will be specifically aimed at explaining the structure and content of the Diploma to the higher education academics attending the conference. More information about CHME and this conference can be found on the CHME website: www.chme.co.uk
Getting the Hospitality Diploma message across to higher education establishments, academics and admissions officers is important for a number of reasons. It is important so that:
a) higher education establishments are aware of the 'nature' of diploma students entering the higher education sector, ie, the likely past experience of diploma students and how these students "may" be different to traditional A level entrants. Diploma students will be academically qualified but also hospitality industry experienced.
b) the university sector is aware of the nature of the competition that might emerge, ie, that schools and further education institution consortia who are offering the 14 to 18 Hospitality Diploma might also involve further education colleges who are simultaneously offering hospitality foundation degrees. Universities offering hospitality based higher education may need to develop a response to a situation in which it is possible for students to complete most of their hospitality education outside of the "traditional" university sector. This might be important to the sector in a context of increasing university fees and a progressive demographic downturn in the number of 18 year olds.
c) higher education academics and admissions tutors are aware of the level of diploma qualifications, for admissions purposes, and how diploma qualifications relate to and equate with other qualifications. The Hospitality Diploma is the equivalent of more than three A levels.
d) higher education institutions are aware of the change occurring in pre-degree hospitality education and how the content of the Hospitality Diploma and associated assessment instruments might impact upon their own provision, ie, the potential need to 'up' their provision or have 'fast track' routes for Hospitality Diploma students given the content of this diploma.
e) higher education institutions are aware of the generic structure of all diplomas. It is likely hospitality higher education providers will accept students for entry qualified with any of the new diplomas, just as they do now do with students qualified with any A levels.
During 2009 and 2010 it is intended that further People 1st promoted Hospitality Diploma presentations, to higher education academics and admissions tutors, will take place. Watch this space for details!
05/05/2009