A global leader in skills certification has backed groundbreaking developments by the University of Cumbria to lead the country in management level hospitality qualifications.
Internationally renowned City & Guilds (C&G) has teamed up with academics at the Ambleside campus to bolster inspirational opportunities for bosses to upskill and meet the demands of a massive and growing industry.
University of Cumbria’s tourism lead, Dr Angela Anthonisz, said in a relatively short time the university had made significant inroads in creating and rolling out courses designed to inspire and equip leaders.
She added: “On the back of the UK’s first and only specialist MBA in tourism management, which we’re starting next year, we are very pleased to announce City & Guilds is partnering with us to offer a global hospitality certification award.
“Our ethos is to upskill at management level through flexibility, giving those in senior positions the chance to study alongside their jobs and responsibilities.
“City & Guilds, which annually works with two million learners on diverse qualifications, has given its badge of recognition to the University Award in Hotel General Management.
“From January, we will be running one-week residential courses four times a year in Ambleside, where we sit in one of the most famous national parks and a World Heritage Site.
“What better place to come to from the four corners of the globe to develop expertise in hospitality management than a county with a £3 billion tourist economy and 65,000 workforce! The opportunities for students – and the industry – are enormous.
“We would like to think demand will dictate we run more courses as word, and our reputation, spreads. We could, of course, take them anywhere in the world, but our aim is to make Ambleside and the Lakes the focal point.
“Our general management award is the only one of its kind for senior leaders wanting to boost their expertise and ability. It’s fantastic to have this badged with City & Guilds as they are internationally recognised as an industry awarding body.”
Dr Anthonisz said the university was offering a range of postgraduate tourism and hospitality options for professionals with a minimum of two-years’ experience and was working closely with the industry to deliver a highly skilled workforce.
City & Guilds executive director of international and digital credentials, Jeremy Dahdi, said he was delighted to be partnering with the university to offer a global hospitality certification.
Mr Dahdi explained: “This has been co-created with employers to recognise the skills and experience of those working in the industry. It also beautifully complements the university’s new MBA and enables the crème de la crème of the industry to develop further for greater success.”
