Hospitality is leading the way in a major overhaul of industry qualifications but private training providers warn the needs of international students must not be overlooked.

By Kathy Ombler

The current NZQA review is the industry’s big chance to get rid of the current confusing proliferation of hospitality qualifications, says Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) chief executive, Steve Hanrahan.

“This is the first time in 20 years this opportunity has arisen and it might be another 20 years before it happens again so we have to make the most of it.”

Hanrahan was speaking after an inaugural steering forum of hospitality industry training sectors in Wellington last month. The purpose of the forum was to set the framework to achieve the qualifications review.

As background, the NZQA Targeted Review of Qualifications (TROQ), completed in late 2010, called for major rationalisation, with the aim of reducing qualifications across all industries by about 45 per cent over the next three years.

Hospitality is one of the first 14 sectors going into review.

The Wellington forum brought together 20 representatives from three industry groups; the industry training organisation (HSI), institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) and private training providers (PTEs). Employers were also represented.

It went very well, says Hanrahan. “The key thing is all parties agree we need to reduce the number of qualifications and all parties are keen to work together to achieve that.”

People have been asking for this for a long time, he says. “We have 160 qualifications, made up of 23 national programmes and the remainder local and regional programmes. This is where issues have arisen, where there has been a confusion of overlapping qualifications.”

Historically, the requirement for polytechnics and institutes of technology to liaise with local industry advisory groups has led to the proliferation – and confusion – of local qualifications embedded with national qualifications.

Hanrahan says ideally he would like to see a single system of qualifications so all ITPs, PTEs and HSI are offering the same.
“The benefit of having a single system is that all employers, when presented with a job application which lists a qualification, will understand what that applicant is capable of.”

“It’s also important for learners when they come into the industry. The qualifications now can be very confusing; with a single system they’ll know which qualification they need and how they can achieve it.”

Speaking from an employer’s perspective, Hospitality Association chief executive Bruce Robertson would also like to see a single national qualification.
“The employer will then know what someone with a particular qualification can do, no matter if they have been trained on the job, with a PTE or ITP,” he says. “Employers don’t mind where their people have been training; they do want to know they’ve all been trained to the same standard.”

However the needs of international students was one ‘tension’ discussed at the steering forum, says Hanrahan.
“There are a lot of providers, particularly in the PTE market, with international students and that’s one issue we will need to work through.”
“We all have to be mindful there is some tension between the needs of the employer and what they want to see and what PTEs will be promoting to international students.
“When international students come here they have to do a New Zealand qualification to get their study visa. There may well be a need for more than one qualification required to meet the international market.”

International students have high earning potential for New Zealand and meeting their needs will be critical, says Hamish Small, of the Professional Bar and Restaurant School, speaking on behalf of PTEs.

“A lot of my colleagues are closely aligned with international students and it has been acknowledged at government level that this is a market that can assist our economy.”

“There are qualifications on the framework now that meet the needs of the majority of international markets. (In the review) we have to be aware of what our customers are looking for.

“It is a credit to everyone involved that all sectors are working together and an agenda for the review had been set,” he adds.

If we can meet industry needs as well as those of international students this review will be a win-win for everyone.”

City and Guilds (C&G) is one international qualification that currently sits alongside national qualifications. Its New Zealand representative, Glenn Fulcher, is hopeful this will remain the case.

“We’ve always worked with providers who design their own material and as long as they meet our outcomes that has worked. C&G will try to work alongside the (new) qualifications to continue to offer an international option. It adds opportunities and a carrot for students wanting to travel overseas.”

Weltec’s Cherie Freeman says ITPs are keen to see C&G included to meet the both needs of international students and New Zealand students going overseas.
“We have a lot of international students studying hospitality in New Zealand who want qualifications that give them skills and qualifications recognised in their country.”

“As we develop the New Zealand qualifications, the options might be that C&G and other, optional extras can be clipped on, perhaps with an internal exam.”

Bruce Robertson agrees we need a qualification that’s appropriate for New Zealand but which also enables export education to occur. “This is also important because some international people who come here to train end up staying here.”

Freeman says ITPs are feeling positive about the review and believe it will be of real benefit to the industry.
“I am delighted that all organisations with qualifications registered on the national framework are working well together. There is mutual trust and a good relationship; we don’t have any one faction working against another so that’s a head start.”

She agrees there is urgent need for rationalisation, also for close liaison within industry. “When I look at situations vacant I see employers asking for old qualifications, trade certificates and City & Guilds along with national qualifications. This would indicate to me that the industry is confused. Unless you’re in touch it can be quite complicated.

“What we’re undertaking involves open consultation with all of industry and that is a very important part of the review. While we are discussing academic development, the industry also obviously needs to understand the processes and systems.”

Freeman also points out the qualifications will result in one common name: they will be New Zealand qualifications not national qualifications. They will also come with a “graduate profile”.

“Anyone with a particular qualification will be able to demonstrate the same skills, or knowledge. Whether they train with a provider or in a workplace, they should all be able to demonstrate the same graduate profile.”

Looking ahead, Hanrahan says the next tasks in the review process will be to set budgets and hold a series of sector meetings. “We would like to see the review done as quickly as possible. This is quite a significant piece of work however we are trying to have the process completed within nine months.”