This qualification is designed to support learners who want to study travel and tourism as a two year, full time course in preparation for either entering employment, university or to travel and work abroad.

The UK travel and tourism industry, customer service in travel and tourism, and preparing for a career in travel and tourism, together with additional units that could include:

• Travel and tourism destinations
• The UK conference and exhibition industry
• UK visitor attractions
• Travel agency operations
• Hospitality in travel and tourism
• Investigating airline cabin crew
• Resort representative roles and responsibilities

You will: 

• Study the UK Travel and Tourism Industry, customer service and preparing for a career in Travel and Tourism, amongst other industry-related subjects.
• Learn about working as an overseas resort representative, investigate airline cabin crew and what it is like to work in the cruise and retail travel industry.
• Develop transferable skills in communication and customer service.
• Undertake a work experience placement courtesy of our excellent industry links with employers, including: Exeter Airport, Mercure Hotels, Hays Travel and Crealy Adventure Park.
• Attend a residential trip and visit popular tourist attractions to experience how the travel industry operates.

Additional qualifications

• Event Planning – NCFE Level 2 Certificate

This course will give you a good introduction to the skills required for successful event planning, organisation and evaluation. You will learn about the duties of event planners and coordinators, how to plan and run your own event and evaluate its success. You will also find out how to manage

budgets, learn the health and safety requirements of events and introduce you to the human resources side of planning an event. This qualification can lead on to careers in many areas of the travel and tourism industry, including event planning, hotels and conferencing, visitor attractions and holiday parks. You can also progress to study this subject at university level.

• Principles of Team Leading – NCFE Level 2 Certificate

This course will teach you the principles of team leading and management within travel and tourism.

Throughout the course you will study how to use different styles of leadership to enhance your team’s performance and how to manage conflict within teams. You will also learn how to be the best mentor possible as well as develop the knowledge, understanding and essential skills employers look for in employees. These range from familiar ‘key skills’, such as team working, how to communicate work relating information and how to manage performance. This qualification can lead on to enhance your career in many areas of the travel and tourism industry, including event planning, hotels and conferencing, visitor attractions, aviation and resort management.

Assessment

Assessment includes a range of methods including research projects, presentations, group and practical activities.

Work Experience

In year 2 you will be given the opportunity to arrange your own preferred work placement in a suitable travel and tourism organisation.

Visits

Students will have the opportunity to go on a number of local and national visits to enhance their course, as well as an overseas visit in year 2. Previous destinations have included Disneyland Paris and Barcelona.

Careers and Further Opportunities

This course is an excellent pathway into gaining employment in the industry or you could decide to progress to university. There is a very good success rate for students going straight into employment with companies such as tour operators (UK and overseas), travel agencies, airlines, airports and hotels.

This course is ideal if you have always wanted to work within UK or overseas tour operations, tourism management or the exciting cruise industry.

You will need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language and Maths.

You also need the personal qualities required for working in the travel industry, such as high grooming standards, good communication skills, enthusiasm and a willingness to complete practical assessments.

During your time at the Future Skills Centre (FSC), a full cabin crew uniform must be worn.

You will have access to Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), the Central Fitness gym, a range of on-site cafés and enrichment activities.

Students are expected to pay for a polo shirt a formal industry uniform to wear when studying at our Future Skills Centre at approximately £150.

A number of additional visits will be offered at additional costs.