Hospitality and Tourism
All hospitality students benefited positively from work
placements in 2014-15 and this will be extended to
travel and tourism students in 2015-16. In addition,
hospitality students benefited from involvement in
a variety of events such as employer dinners and
graduation ceremonies, which gave them experience
of working at large functions.
Hospitality students also benefited from opportunities
to work with external agencies such as the Ayrshire
Chamber of Commerce to support their key
activities. These opportunities and experiences
enhanced students’ knowledge, vocational skills and
employability.
Tourism students developed their customer service
skills through Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Team’s
Volunteering project and Ayrshire SMILES customer
training. Additional industry relevant qualifications
such as Personal Licence Holder and Food Hygiene
qualifications built students’ confidence and enhanced
their CVs in preparation for employment in the sector.
In both hospitality and travel and tourism courses, we
introduced a range of visits to industry for students
and visiting speakers. This enhanced the students’
knowledge and understanding of the industry, and the
demands on applicants and employees. These events
also enhanced students’ understanding of current
trends in the industry
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‘Trump Turnberry
Apprentice Chef’
As a result of student feedback, we changed the course
design in HNC Travel and Tourism to offer students
different optional units within their course. Course
delivery was adjusted to better meet student needs, for
example a few classes were started later in the day to
accommodate student transport and childcare issues.
In one course, unit sequencing was adjusted to meet
student need and these adjustments helped to increase
retention rates.
AYRSHIRE COLLEGE / QUALITY REPORT 2014/15
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