Last updated: 31 Mar 2008

The importance of the Hospitality Diploma

The hospitality industry is an extremely important contributor to the UK economy. Its scope is large, with 14 industries mostly based on food and beverage, ranging from small rural pubs to vast visitor attractions, from roadside services to Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Diploma is structured around three themes: the hospitality industry, people in the hospitality industry and hospitality operations.
Learners will investigate the industry and the factors that contribute to success in hospitality industries. Through this they will appreciate the many opportunities for entrepreneurs within this sector and gain an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for success.

In a realistic kitchen environment, learners will work independently and in teams, using their creativity to invent menus as well as developing skills in making and presenting nutritious food.

Learners will develop important interpersonal skills that they will be able to use in many work situations, including effective communication and teamwork as well as personal presentation. These are highly valued in the hospitality sector where excellent customer service is the key to business success. Learners able to develop higher-order skills will be in a particularly advantageous position in an industry with skills shortages.

Through this Diploma, learners will develop highly transferable skills, giving them the chance to work in many different industries within the sector in the UK as well as abroad.

Exemplar materials

For examples of how to build applied learning, funtionals skills and personal learning and thinking skills into your teaching and learning for environmental and land-based studies are available, see the related links on the right.