What are the differences between vocational and higher education qualifications in tourism, hospitality and events?
Most countries have a vocational education system and a higher education system. Typically, the focus of the vocational education system is to help people develop technical and professional skills such as becoming a chef. They also help to prepare people to enter supervisory level management positions. By contrast, the focus of the higher education system is more theory based. It is also more focused on helping people develop their thinking and analytical skills, so that they can become middle and senior managers. The applied nature of the study in tourism, hospitality and events, means that there can often be an overlap between vocational and higher education. Many higher education courses will include a vocational component, and a number of universities teaching hospitality management may also have a practical training restaurant as part of their facilities. Students studying tourism, hospitality and event students at either level are typically expected to undertake some type of an i
