TVU launches hospitality diploma in London

The diploma is a new national qualification for 14 to 19 year olds. It is available across three levels – foundation (equivalent to five GCSEs grade D-G), higher (equivalent to seven GCSEs grade A*-C) and advanced (equivalent to 3.5 A Levels) – and gives students the chance to explore different subjects without committing to a career in them. The qualification has been on offer nationally in five different subjects, including engineering, IT, and creative and media, since last year, and five more subjects are being introduced this month, including hospitality. TVU will deliver the advanced diploma in hospitality from its Ealing campus from this month, and will also lead other colleges in West London in the delivery of the foundation and higher diplomas. The two-year full-time advanced diploma course at TVU focuses on four main themes – the hospitality industry, people in the industry, running a hospitality business, and finance in hospitality. The course will give students a flavour of the huge range of opportunities, jobs and career paths on offer in the hospitality industry. Students will also be able to choose additional and specialist learning interests, designed to complement their chosen specialism. For example, students could learn about marketing a hospitality business or study a foreign language (particularly beneficial in the hospitality sector where there are so many international opportunities). All students will continue to develop their functional skills in English, maths and information and communications technology (ICT) as well as their business understanding and their personal, learning and thinking skills. They will also undertake work experience where they will have the chance to use the skills gained in the classroom and experience the hospitality industry for real. Students can look forward to placements at a variety of establishments, including some of the world's most prestigious hotels such as The Ritz, The Dorchester and The Hilton. David Foskett, head of TVU's London school of hospitality and tourism, said: "The Hospitality Diploma keeps doors open, giving young people the option of specialising in an area that interests them while continuing to develop the key skills and knowledge that will stand them in good stead, whatever they decide to do next. The vocational experience they will gain during the Diploma will make for more developed students, prepared for both the workplace or to continue their studies."