Tourism Learning Directory

About the Directory

The Directory is divided into two main sections. Primarily it provides lists of learning and skills development options and opportunities for the tourism industry. Following these main lists there is a section called "Additional resources" which includes publications of all kinds, conferences and expos, tourism research contacts and important web sites.

The range of learning and skills development options and opportunities can be accessed by many different people and organisations. They can be grouped as formal, informal and advisory services and assistance.

A summary of these options and examples are provided in the table below. Some of the more common terms used when discussing skills development follows.

An accredited course is one that will award a qualification at the successful completion of all the course requirements, and when provided by a registered training organisation, can lead to a formal qualification such as a diploma or degree. An accredited course provided by a non-registered provider gives no qualifications.

Non-accredited courses, whether delivered by non-registered or registered providers, do not give qualifications. However, a non-accredited course serves an invaluable role in developing skills within the industry in a way that can be very flexible, timely and may not have a direct fee for service component for employers.

There are short courses delivered by TAFE Institutes, private training organisations and community providers in more that 350 subject areas, from information technology to languages to golf. There are also courses that develop skills such as reading, writing and mathematics. Courses are made up of sections called modules so that you can choose what you want to learn. Recognition of prior learning occurs where credits are granted towards qualifications through assessment of an individual’s knowledge and skills gained through education, training, work or life experiences. Job rotation is where workers periodically transfer among a number of different positions and tasks that require different skills and responsibilities.

Infosheets 4 and 5 can guide you in finding further information about the Queensland Schools Framework, registered training organisations, group training organisations, TAFE institutes and universities. Infosheet 4 Skills Development provides information on key knowledge, skills and attitude areas for the tourism industry. Infosheet 5 Tourism Industry Qualifications provides information on tourism qualifications in schools, vocational education and training, higher education; national training packages, tourism industry qualifications; and vocational education and training providers.

The courses, units and resources in the Directory have been listed under seven key ‘knowledge, skills and attitudes’ areas for tourism. These have been developed as a framework to link to the courses, units and resources available and are a guide only. It does not contain specific knowledge, skills and attitude competencies. These industry standards can be found in the National Training Packages. Knowledge consists of the facts, concepts or principles, which are required to competently perform an activity. Skills are the mental or physical abilities required to competently perform an activity. Attitudes are a predisposition to behave in certain ways to competently perform an activity. They include standards of behavior, values and beliefs.

The knowledge, skills and attitudes areas are:

• introduction to tourism
• business management
• tourism and retail operations
• the tourism industry - attractions, accommodation, tour operators (managers and tour guides), meetings and events, distribution, retail services, restaurant and catering, transport, visitor information centres, travel agency operations
• tourism development
• community engagement and development
• tourism policy and planning.

Due to the very nature of the tourism industry there are many courses, units and resources relevant to one or more areas. When searching through the database you may find that some are listed across many areas.

Under each of the knowledge, skills and attitudes areas provided is a list of skills development options. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be many other different options available. For each option a brief description is provided along with the ‘type’ of option and the provider and contact details. The ‘type’ of development option refers to whether it is formal, informal or advisory service. The ‘types’ are:

• tourism school subject
• vocational education and training in schools
• school-based traineeships and apprenticeships
• vocational education courses
• traineeships and apprenticeships
• higher education
• company development programs
• workshops and seminars
• mentoring programs
• advisory services and assistance
• resources and support materials.

At the end of the Directory is a section providing additional resources. These provide further sources of information about the tourism industry and its structure and current developments within the industry. It is made up of journals, web sites, articles, conferences and industry newsletters from various industry organisations and associations and government departments.

The Directory is an ongoing, living document that has been designed to be continually updated and improved providing an ever-growing list of resources for the user. Any comments and feedback or suggestions of resources that could be added are requested. Please refer to the contact details on page 2.

The Directory is offered as a referral service only. Prospective users are advised to contact the nominated skills development provider or agency direct regarding the eligibility or access of any particular information. Where reference is made to cost of the products or services available, these are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change by the provider or agency.

Disclaimer

By accessing this information, you agree to accept the following:

While Tourism Queensland makes every effort to provide a high-quality service, it does not invite reliance upon, nor accept responsibility for, the information it provides. Changes may be initiated by the provider or agencies which result in the information in this Directory becoming inaccurate or incomplete.

Irrespective of any measures taken by Tourism Queensland to check that the information is accurate or complete neither Tourism Queensland nor the providers of the data in the Directory:

• make any representations or warranties about the information, including the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information for the user’s purpose; and
• in no event, will be liable to any person in contract, tort (including, but without limitation, negligence) or otherwise for any information, including if that information is incomplete, inaccurate or is not suitable for the purpose for which the user uses the information.

The user must independently confirm all information before relying on it.

There will be other tourism assistance available which does not appear on this site.

Any hypertext links on the Tourism Assistance Database are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service. The links will not be comprehensive or accurate in all cases. Neither Tourism Queensland nor its providers of data, give any guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning hypertext linking.

Copyright, Tourism Queensland, 2008. All rights reserved. No unauthorised reproduction.

Copyright in the database as a "derivative work", Tourism Queensland, 2008. All rights reserved. No unauthorised reproduction.