Hospitality and Catering Services, Educare, Health and Safety as well as Farming Management are the four vocational qualifications fast emerging as the most popular courses for distance learning students this year, according to Oxbridge Academy.
Elbie Liebenberg, managing director of Oxbridge Academy, explained that, “In South Africa’s highly competitive job market, people are starting to realise the value of earning a qualification, which can either strengthen their existing position in the workplace, or can get them a foot in the door in their field of interest rather than attempting to do so without a relevant qualification. Many students have also realised the value of vocational qualifications geared toward giving you the necessary theoretical and technical skills for jobs where there is still a high demand for people who can walk in and do the work from day one.”
According to Liebenberg, the four most popular courses are:
• Health and safety skills certificate:
Employers are increasingly appointing safety officers in an effort to avoid the financial impact of employees or members of the public getting hurt and the company being held liable, as well as the damage to their reputation as a result of accidents or negligence.
The increasing demand has led to more and more employers seeking qualified professionals to fill these roles, which shows up clearly on positions offered on local and international job search sites. This, in turn, has led to an increase in prospective students who seek to acquire a qualification to prove their competency in the field.
• Hospitality and catering services certificate:
With tourism being one of South Africa’s strongest sectors, students are jumping at the chance to gain a qualification which provides them with the foundational knowledge and skills they need to start a successful career in the hospitality and catering services industry.
In addition to learning about essential elements such as catering, nutrition and safety, students also develop valuable management and communication skills, which give them a broad skills base they can apply in other branches of the hospitality industry.
• Educare:
An Educare qualification gives access to positions in childcare fields such as early childhood development, teaching assistance, as well as au pairing, to name a few.
Although there are many opportunities in this industry, prospective students are urged to pursue this career path for the right reasons, and not simply because of the availability of jobs. You must be passionate about what you do, because caring for young children is a big responsibility, and it can be a tiring task! If you’re only thinking about earning a salary, then this career path isn’t for you.
• Farming management:
Opportunities available after successful completion of a registered and accredited Farming Management Certificate or Diploma, include that of farm manager or supervisor, food-processing manager, agricultural-product representative, pack-house manager, and farming consultant.
Farming Management introduces students to the exciting world of agriculture, and teaches them essential skills such as business management, financial and date management, maintenance management and other skills specific to this sector.
