New Level 3 qualifications in travel and tourism are being launched to modernise the industry’s educational framework for students aged 16-19.
- These qualifications will replace existing courses, responding to a governmental review of post-16 education.
- Developed by NCFE, in collaboration with the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group, these courses address industry needs.
- The programme offers a broad curriculum equivalent to three A-levels, including pathways into higher education, employment, or apprenticeships.
- Industry feedback has been pivotal in shaping these qualifications, aiming to align skills with employer expectations.
In an effort to enhance educational standards within the travel and tourism sector, new Level 3 qualifications are poised for introduction in September 2026. These offerings are specifically targeted at students between the ages of 16 and 19 and promise to provide a comprehensive replacement for current travel qualifications. Emerging as a direct response to a Department for Education review of post-16 courses, these qualifications have been meticulously developed by the awarding organisation NCFE, in partnership with the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group.
Notably, this collaborative initiative was inaugurated in April 2023, with an express intent to formulate an educational programme that resonates with industry requisites. The group solicited input from key industry stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum aligns with the skills and knowledge demands of potential employers. This cooperative approach with feedback embedded at every stage is aimed at ensuring the qualifications meet contemporary industry needs.
Vicki Wolf, the head of education and career development at a leading industry body, applauded the efforts, remarking, “The TISWG has done fantastic work over the last 12 months to develop a new course which meets the needs of travel businesses.” This sentiment echoes throughout the sector, enhancing the credibility and acceptance of the upcoming qualifications.
The programme’s breadth is particularly noteworthy, as it is designed to be equivalent to three A-levels. It presents students with multiple potential career trajectories, whether they choose to pursue higher education, enter the workforce directly, or engage in apprenticeships. David Rowley, an NCFE product manager, highlighted that the qualifications will carry a significant number of UCAS points, thereby facilitating access to university-level education.
There is also strategic alignment with existing educational reforms. John Garside, a travel and tourism lecturer at Birmingham Metropolitan College, suggests that should ongoing government reviews favour the Level 3 reforms, the new qualifications are ready for prompt submission and approval. Alternatively, if the decision sways towards maintaining current qualifications, refreshed content from the new course could enhance the existing curriculum.
Claire Steiner, a human resources and talent development expert, underscored the importance of continuous collaboration between industry players and educational bodies. She emphasised that such initiatives are essential for cultivating a robust, future-ready workforce that is adept and responsive to the evolving demands of the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
The introduction of these qualifications showcases a significant advance towards aligning educational pathways with the needs of the travel and tourism industry.
