V-level in travel and tourism ‘might be years in the making’

Institute of Travel and Tourism board member Claire Steiner has said it could be up to four years until the mooted V-level in travel and tourism is introduced, adding that guidance on the timeline is expected in January.

Steiner was among those present at an industry meeting last week to discuss the government’s consultation on the new brand of qualifications.

She said it was likely the V-level courses would be implemented gradually, meaning existing travel and tourism qualifications would continue to be funded until the alternative is introduced.

“It’s likely not going to happen in the next year. These things tend to be phased in. We could be looking at two, three or four years until that happens,” she added.

Last week’s meeting, which had representation from higher and further education institutions, as well as awarding body the Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE), is expected to be followed by another meeting before the end of the year.

“We’ll have a full meeting before the end of the year to make sure everybody is at the same level of knowledge as those who were at the meeting [last week],” Steiner said.

She added that she anticipates the government will provide further details about the V-levels timeline in January.

On the expected phased implementation, she said: “It gives us time to make sure it [the travel and tourism qualification] is fit for purpose and lessons can be learned from the others that are implemented ahead of us.”