A group of travel and tourism education and skills experts believes there is an opportunity to shape the content of new post-16 courses to suit the industry’s needs.
The optimistic forecast came from the new education and skills working group, which met for the first time this week (May 22) to discuss the future of further education courses in travel and tourism.
The group was established in response to the Department for Education’s update on its review of post-16 qualifications.
More: Industry unites as travel and tourism courses face axe
There has been widespread concern raised about the future of tourism qualifications at level 3 in recent weeks, as they look set to be defunded in England.
Vicki Wolf, Abta head of education and career development, said: “The last few weeks have created a lot of uncertainty for further education students, lecturers and colleges, as well as travel and tourism employers.
“It was good to get a better understanding of the full circumstances and what happens next.
“While there are still areas that need clarification from the government, it appears that there will be a route for future further education courses specific to travel and tourism.
“They are vital in preparing young people for a career in this amazing sector.”
Comment: Government’s education cuts show total lack of vision
Claire Steiner, chair of the Institute of Travel and Tourism’s education and training committee, commented: “What was really encouraging from this week’s meeting was the energy and enthusiasm from everyone involved.
“While the circumstances are far from ideal, there seems to be a good opportunity to shape the courses to suit our sector’s future needs.
“It’s good that industry, associations and education providers can work together as part of this new group to do just that.”
John Garside, lecturer in aviation and travel & tourism at Birmingham Metropolitan College, added: “It was really great to get together with the group to unpick what is happening with further education.
“We discussed the importance of making sure there are vocational qualifications available in travel and tourism for those young people who don’t want to do A levels but wish to continue with education to set themselves up for a career in the travel industry or go onto higher education.
“It seems that there could be a potential route to do that, and a great opportunity for education and employers to shape the content of future courses. I look forward to being part of that.”
David Rowley, product manager in technical education at the educational charity and awarding organisation NCFE, said: “It was fantastic to travel to be part of the education and skills working group and meet a wide variety of organisations who all share our passion for the sector. We’re excited at the prospect of continued collaboration and look forward helping shape a positive future for travel and tourism education.”
The meeting was held at Abta’s offices in London and organisations involved in the working group are: Abta; Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE); Aviation Industry Skills Council (AISB); Birmingham Metropolitan College; Business Travel Association (BTA); Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT); NCFE (provider of travel and tourism qualifications); Tourism Alliance and UKinbound.
The meeting also heard that the announcement by City and Guilds that it will no longer provide further education travel and tourism courses is unrelated to the government review. Other providers still plan to offer courses.
The group is developing a fact sheet which summarises the situation to provide clarity to industry and education providers.