The Hospitality Diploma is one a number of sector-specific Diplomas that was developed for 14-19 year olds. They are available at three levels:
- Foundation – equivalent to 5 GCSEs (grades D-G)
- Higher – equivalent to 7 GCSEs (grades A* - C)
- Advanced – equivalent to 3.5 levels (grades A*-E)
Each Diploma is made up of three elements
- Principal learning: revolve around a number of sector-specific themes, such as food and drink service that provides a broad overview of the key components of the sector and help develop skills and knowledge in these areas
- Generic learning : functional skills such as numeracy and literacy
- Additional and Specialist Learning: these could be anything from a traditional GCSE to a more specific skills such as barista or chefs
Students from 16 years old will have an opportunity to study the Diploma to provide a broader range of skills and knowledge, instead of more job specific qualifications such as the Diploma in Professional Cookery. As part of every Diploma programme, learners will also undertake a minimum period of 10 days' work experience, which will provide them with the opportunity to gain both general employability skills and more specialist sector-related knowledge.
At every level, the Diplomas will also include a project that will enable learners to develop their personal, learning and thinking skills in the context of a theme, problem or activity of their choice.
Principal Learning covers
- Investigating the hospitality industry
- Legislation and procedures in the hospitality industry
- Customer service standards in the hospitality industry
- Building and developing effective hospitality teams
- Managing people in the hospitality industry
- Finance and budgetary control
- Running a hospitality & catering business
- Sale and marketing
- Managing a food operation in hospitality
- Hospitality services