Among the hottest trends for education in 2024, the rise of career and technical training colleges makes sense. Non-traditional programs, such as vocational education and training (VET), are becoming more popular because they offer many benefits for students, schools, industry partners, and governments, alike. As part of our VET by EHL Program, we are working with several hotels and hotel chains across the world and provide them with guidance, support, and training at any level.
In this Education Consulting series, we shine a spotlight on different projects to highlight the work and the people behind it.
This article is dedicated to ITC Hotels and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with insights from students, training providers, clients, and consultants discussing the benefits of the VET by EHL programs.
Starting a partnership for youth employment and industry growth
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many hospitality organizations and tourism-oriented countries faced unprecedented talent shortages, and India wasn’t spared.
“The hospitality industry in India went through tough times during COVID and it continues to struggle with the supply of skilled manpower,” explains Mr. Sougata Roy Choudhury, Executive Director, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). VET by EHL programs have proven to be a turning point for hospitality education in India. The programs are focused on the overall development of the student to turn them into qualified hospitality professionals.”
To create a solution, ITC Hotels partnered with the CII and EHL Group to implement VET by EHL hospitality training programs for young people and professionals. By the end of 2023, an estimated 500 students were enrolled in ITC’s VET by EHL professional hospitality diploma program.
How the VET by EHL programs work
Starting new educational programs isn’t an easy task, but with the help of Mr. Aman Aditya Sachdev, Director & Regional Head - South Asia, Myanmar & the Middle East, EHL Advisory Services, and working with key partners in India, the CII implemented the VET by EHL Professional Certificate and Professional Diploma programs in only one year. This is how they did it.
“The VET by EHL programs in India were developed with the direct involvement of some of the finest hotels and hotel companies in India. The students are trained in a live hotel environment by EHL-certified trainers and they use VET by EHL digitized curricula and content,” explains Aman.
According to Mr. Sachdev, the VET by EHL Apprenticeship Model outperforms traditional academic courses in hospitality in many ways:
- The programs are designed by EHL Hospitality Business School.
- The courses impart both Knowledge and Competencies
- Students build real-world experiences integrating work and learning within the dynamic
environments of upscale hotels across India - The content is regularly updated to stay ahead of industry requirements
- The trainers are industry professionals with extensive experience and are Certified VET by EHL
Through an immersive series of three, 6-month certificate courses the program awards graduates a Swiss Professional Diploma in their area of specialization (Food & Beverage, Culinary, or Hotel Professional), which paves the way for a bright future in the hospitality industry or continuing studies to obtain further certification.
Career-launching benefits for students
VETby EHL programs prepare students to be immediately employable in the industry, with hands-on experience, professional skills, soft skills, and career connections. Students who are currently enrolled in the programs have this to say about these unique benefits:
“I’ve learned how every aspect of food and beverage service is done, how to serve guests expertly, and I gained valuable real-world experience. In a few years, I could see myself being a manager who manages his team smoothly and efficiently,” say Aditya Raina, from the Food and Beverage Service program, at the ITC Maurya, New Delhi.
Another student, Banisha Majaw, who is in the Culinary Arts Program at the ITC Royal Bengal in Kolkata, had this to say about the experience:
“The program's emphasis on the multifaceted aspects of culinary arts has given me a comprehensive view of the industry, shaping my ambitions to not only create exceptional dishes but also contribute to the overall success of a culinary establishment.”
A Fresh approach to teaching: Facilitated learning
The VET by EHL licensing process requires trainers to be certified as VET by EHL course facilitators, as Aman Aditya Sachdev, of EHL Advisory Services, explains:
“The VET by EHL curricula and facilitation methodology has been crafted by EHL faculty and industry practitioners. This program instills fundamental principles essential for training and inspiring hospitality students, with minimal adaptation and respecting regional sensibilities.”
Through the Train The Trainer (TTT) course, delivered by EHL, teachers learn new ways to facilitate learning that are adapted to the new generations of students.
Would VET by EHL programs be a good fit for your school or a company in your region? Let us know what you think in the comments or get in touch with an EHL Education Consultant to discuss your needs.
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