Vocational Packages Under Hospitality & Tourism

The Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced two vocational packages under hospitality and tourism sector- food production and food & beverage services.

According to Vineet Joshi, chairman, CBSE, India offers diverse opportunities for hospitality & tourism. Over five million foreign tourists come to India every year. The annual demand for trained manpower in hotels and restaurants is approximately 2.03 lakh per year. Therefore, huge expansions are envisaged in the fast food/ café segment as well as hotels.

The new course consists of two vocational subjects, each in classes XI and XII. Besides these two vocational subjects, students can take one language and two academic elective subjects relevant to the field. Students also have the option to take up any two academic elective subjects besides two vocational subjects. They can also opt for a sixth additional subject, which can either be a language or an academic elective subject.

Students who complete the two vocational streams and wish to pursue a career in hospitality, would be able to find ready employment in this sector.

"It has been observed that some of the schools are still offering the following vocational packages (old) under H & T sector - food service & management and hotel management and catering technology. These schools are given the option to take up the revised and recently introduced vocational packages instead of the old vocational packages to enable students' better suitability for the job market under the current scenario, "informs Joshi.

The board has also advised that no fresh admissions in the old vocational packages will be made from the coming academic session (2013-2014). However, students who have enrolled for the old vocational package in the academic session 2012-13 may appear for the final examination for class XII in 2014 under the same old package.