Qualification Overview

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, critical thinking skills and competence for the students' professional development towards becoming skilled employees in the food and beverage industry. A qualified learner at this level will demonstrate competence in using advanced managerial skills and problem-solving in both existing and entrepreneurial hospitality ventures and the community at large. This qualification provides students with the necessary skills and competencies to focus on research in the food and beverage industry, specifically in the field of accommodation. This qualification will also prepare the students for the Postgraduate Diploma. The student completing the Advanced Diploma in Food and Beverage Management will have the following competences: be a critical thinker, have an advanced understanding of complex issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry, compile a research proposal and contribute to professionalism in the sector.

Rationale:

The South African Tourism industry and especially the hospitality sector demonstrate continued growth and a clear demand for well-qualified staff within the corporate and entrepreneurial sub-sector, specifically in the food and beverage field. The core of the qualification revolves around the development of potential managers with sound operational backgrounds and specialised skills specifically in the accommodation field. Through consultation, the stakeholders from the industry suggested that the 'gap' that currently exists should be addressed by exposing students in doing research in the food and beverage management field. The tourism industry is a key sector in South Africa and has significant growth and job creation potential. However, there is a global skills shortage in the tourism and hospitality industries, which this qualification will aim to address. The research component of this qualification will expose the student to research methods and methodology used in higher education. The current Bachelor of Technology in Food and Beverage Management will be phased out and substituted with Advanced and Postgraduate Diplomas in Food and Beverage Management. This is imperative for progression and articulation purposes towards the Master and Doctorate qualifications. This qualification is aligned with the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework and the requirements stipulated by Department Higher Education and Training.

The tourism industry is a key sector in South Africa and has significant growth and job creation potential. However, there are global skills shortages in the tourism and hospitality industries, which this qualification will aim to address. Through comparison with national and international higher education institutions as well as consultation with relevant stakeholders, it became clear that a research component should be included at this level of the qualification to prepare students for postgraduate studies. The research component of this qualification which will expose the student to research methods and methodology used in higher education. The qualification has been carried out globally throughout higher education institutions and industry. The qualification compares favorably with some international universities. The South African Tourism Industry and especially the hospitality sector demonstrate continued growth and a clear demand for well-qualified staff within the corporate and entrepreneurial sub-sector, specifically in the food and beverage field. The core of the qualification revolves around the development of potential managers with sound operational background and specialized skills specifically in the accommodation field. The range of typical students will be in possession of a Diploma (Level 6) who can articulate from a relevant Diploma. The Advanced Diploma is imperative for progression and articulation purposes. The student can articulate from Advanced Diploma in Food and Beverage Management to Postgraduate Diploma in Food and Beverage Management. Student will gain skills, knowledge and competencies that they can apply in the socio-economic structure of the broader South Africa.