Work experience has the potential to add significant value to a graduate’s understanding of the area of work they want to be involved in when they complete their CTH qualification, as well as contributing to the quality of learning and the standards they subsequently achieve.

The CTH Certificate in Work Experience gives students the opportunity to certify their work experience and receive a professional certificate with international recognition. The CTH Certificate in Work Experience adds value to a CV/resume because employers will know that the student’s experience has been validated, assessed and certified by CTH. Employers know the student will have learned more from their placement because they are required to think and write about their experience. Only approved CTH centres are allowed to administer the CTH Certificate in Work Experience.

The work experience placement should be with an organisation involved in hospitality or tourism; for example, a travel agency, airline, restaurant, hotel or tour operator. The work experience placement should be relevant to the content of the CTH Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, (i.e. at a supervisory/management level) and ideally should be with an organisation that reflects the student’s aspirations for their future career.

A work experience placement usually lasts between six weeks and one year. The minimum number of overall hours required to undertake the placement, and therefore be eligible to apply for the Certificate in Work Experience, is 200 hours. The CTH Certificate in Work Experience is assessed with a work diary of the student’s experience and a 3,000 word report, marked by CTH. CTH has partnered with Professionals UK to provide CTH students with work experience opportunities in the UK.

The CTH-Professionals UK partnership enables approved CTH centres to offer CTH students the opportunity to undertake a 12-24 week full-time/part-time work placement to enhance their CVs and career prospects within the Hospitality and Tourism sectors. All work placements will be arranged by Professionals UK and students are required to register as members of CTH before they can submit their CV for a work placement.