Business

BUSINESSES

Employers have played a very important part in the development of the suite of Diplomas.   Your input has been crucial as it differentiates the Diploma from other qualifications in the following ways:

  • The content is designed around the skills required by hospitality employers;
  • The knowledge and skills of the Diploma are contextualised to the hospitality sector;
  • At least 50% of the delivery has to be applied/work related learning;
  • It includes functional skills in English, maths and ICT and personal learning skills (see below);
  • Learners have to do a project based on real employer issues, problems and initiatives;
  • Learners must do a minimum of 10 days' work experience;
  • Potential for employers to be involved in the design, delivery and assessment of activities.

To deliver a programme that meets the above criteria, employers will be asked to work with schools and colleges to provide work-related learning.  This could take the form of a range of activities but key will be the real work environments for activities to apply learning, for example, opportunities to use customer service skills, support the organisation of an event, work shadowing,   preparing and serving food and drinks on business premises, and support any activities such as housekeeping, business functions and so forth.  

Work-related learning can be brought into the school or college and made fun, for example, running a 'Generation Game' where an expert demonstrates an activity such as folding a napkin in a swan shape, sculpting fruit and vegetables,  and the learners get to have a go and are given points against their performance.

The applied element of the Diploma will help to 'bring learning to life' - the strap line of the Diplomas - giving learners the best opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills you have said are needed to succeed in the hospitality industry.

MAKE YOUR MARK ON THE HOSPITALITY DIPLOMA

People 1st is actively recruiting 15 enthusiastic employers from across the hospitality industry to join its recently formed Employer Advisory Group to advise on support materials for the successful delivery of the Diploma in Hospitality.

It's a great opportunity for employers to make their mark on the Hospitality Diploma and network and share good practice with others in the group.

The advisory group will support the Diploma in Hospitality project team and steering group by:

  • providing guidance and consultancy on areas such as applied learning, employer engagement, diploma projects and work experience;
  • help determine good practice criteria;
  • support the design and development of case studies;
  • offer industry expertise and advice on current working processes;
  • assist in producing documents to illustrate career progression through available qualifications; and
  • quality assure outputs.

Group members will meet four times a year:

  • 27 October 2009
  • 8 December 2009
  • 19 January 2010
  • 2 March 2010

For further information or to register your interest contact:

Stephanie Jolly:  Stephanie.jolly@people1st.co.uk

Heather Taylor:   Heather.taylor@people1st.co.uk

1/10/2009