The Diploma in Hospitality

Education

Applied v practical learning?

Consortia delivering the Hospitality Diploma this year will no doubt have had this debate already.  Certainly in the early days of Diploma development, this element of the Diploma was the most difficult to understand with many interpreting it as practical learning and, in doing so, the Diplomas were labelled vocational qualifications. Traditionally, hospitality programmes are very practical which probably endorsed this thinking.

Practical learning also suggests that once the knowledge is delivered, learners can be given an opportunity to illustrate the related skill and the job is considered done!   At a recent event at which I was an observer, the lead practitioner delivering the Hospitality Diploma this year was providing some input on best practice in her consortia.  In referring to the personal learning and thinking skills (PLTs) she said: 'There is no requirement to cover any of the six PLTs more than once so they won't cause you any problems.'   As an former FE lecturer teaching NVQs, I know exactly where that comment came from.

To help understand what applied learning is, it may be better to use the term 'work-related learning'. The Diplomas are designed to be very flexible in the way they are delivered.  The knowledge does not have to be covered in a classroom.  Learning can take place in work- related environments with learners using the PLTs to further their learning and application.  The opportunity for learners to reflect on their progress, strengths and areas to be improved are an excellent tool to aid the development of employment skills.

Ian Frances, assistant principal at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and member of the Diploma in Hospitality Steering Group said this to say about applied learning.

"Applied Learning is essential to the success of the Diploma and is the common thread that allows students to actively engage with the realities of the industry.  Applied learning provides students with the opportunity to test their theoretical knowledge through practical application in a variety of settings. In this way, any room can become a classroom and make best use of naturally occurring resources, real-life situations and investigations and the all essential interaction with industry professionals.

"Employer engagement is the key factor in the delivery of relevant and engaging learning experiences within the principal learning of the Diploma. Employer involvement from the very start of the course, and indeed the information advice and guidance offered to students prior to the start, makes the Diploma stand out from other qualifications available. Oxford and Cherwell Valley College is part of the Oxford City consortia and, along with partner schools, has strived to ensure that students have access to the best teachers in the best facilities available, and have frequent contact with a network of hospitality specialists."

Ensuring that 50% of delivery is applied requires a thorough understanding of the units of the Hospitality Diploma, and an exercise to pull out, across the whole programme, opportunities to apply the learning in work-related environments.  Only then can the delivery be organised and the appropriate relationships built with employers.

The Hospitality Diploma Development Partnership is convening a consortia advisory group to look at such issues.  If you would like to be part of this group please check out our events section at the end of this newsletter or click here.

Make your mark on the Diploma in Hospitality

We are actively recruiting hospitality practitioners to join our recently formed Consortia Advisory Group to advise on support materials for the successful delivery of the Diploma in Hospitality.

It's a great opportunity for practitioners 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;
• 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

Applicants should be hospitality practitioners delivering the Diploma in Hospitality in 2009-2010 or intending to apply to Gateway 4 to deliver the qualification in 2011.

For further information or to register your interest contact:

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

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

Delivering Diplomas

A new publication dedicated to the Diplomas was launched last week.   'Delivering Diplomas' - available electronically - is a great resource for all those involved in developing and delivering Diplomas and is available free.

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