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Always check that qualifications are recognised by a professional body so that you know it meets the standards required by the industry you are going into (especially if you are paying a private college or training organisation).
If you are thinking of setting up your own business - from running a B&B to opening a visitor attraction - you can find short courses at your local college and through your local regional tourism board. These can include running a B&B, food hygiene courses, first aid, book-keeping, customer service, countryside management, language courses. Basic skills courses to improve your English or maths are usually free.
Tourism related qualifications available at your local college include:
NVQ levels 1 to 3 Travel services, animal care, sport and recreation, amenity horticulture, vehicle engineering, catering and hospitality, playwork, customer services. These teach work-based skills and you can study them whilst working.
First and National Diplomas/Certificates in countryside management, sport, horticulture, catering. These are usually studied full-time and provide work experience.
GNVQs and AVCEs in Leisure and Tourism, Business, Travel and Tourism. These work-related courses can be studied full-time or part-time at college
Higher National Certificate and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs) in a range of tourism related subjects. The HNC can be studied part-time whilst the HND is part-time.
Modern Apprenticeships and National Traineeships allow you to work for an employer and study at college.
Many tourism organisations also provide training:
The regional tourist boards host one day courses and training sessions such as 'Welcome Host' - a one-day training programme which concentrates on improving customer care skills. They also offer information and tips on running and improving your business www.tourismtrade.org.uk/
The travel and tourism industry also has its own qualifications which you can study for once you are working in the travel and tourism industry these include:
ABTA College of Open Learning, Woking, Surrey. Tel: 01483 727321
ABTA National Training Board, Waterloo House, 11-17 Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey. GU21 5AL Tel: 01483 727321
Hotel and Catering Management Association validates many catering, hospitality, leisure and tourism courses www.hcima.co.uk
Courses run by your regional tourism office can be found at www.tourismtrade.org.uk/
For more information on tourism careers, use our Careers Information web
pages at
http://www.wiltscoll.ac.uk/global/gateway/careers_menu.asp
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