To respond to the growing needs of New Zealand’s travel and tourism industry, UCOL has launched the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Level 3) in Whanganui.
Statistics New Zealand figures show that visitor numbers in the district have increased over the past two years, and Whanganui UCOL Campus Manager, Bronwyn Paul says that Whanganui needs to respond to regional and national needs.
"According to the Tourism Industry Association, tourism has overtaken dairy as the number one export earner for New Zealand.
"The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism aims to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, attributes and values required to enter the tourism and travel industry, or pathway into further study."
Supported by Whanganui and Partners and the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce, the qualification aligns with the Manawatu-Whanganui Growth Study which identified regional tourism as a key strategy for future growth.
Ms. Paul says that UCOL is connecting with members of the Whanganui tourism sector to make sure that they are teaching the skills needed by industry.
"This course provides pathways into careers with airlines, cruise ships, tour operators and attraction guides to name a few, but more importantly it also teaches the discovery of what there is to see and do in New Zealand. It also teaches transferable communication skills, with students learning how to communicate effectively with people in a variety of tourism settings."
There are currently 13 students enrolled in the programme, which began last week. UCOL will be looking to run the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism in Whanganui again in 2017.