A diploma in Catering and Accommodation is a course that will equip the trainee with knowledge, skills, and attitude that will enable him/her to perform managerial duties in the catering and accommodation industry.
In Kenya, Catering and Accommodation courses are offered at universities and TVET institutions. Some of the universities that offer degrees related to catering and hospitality are Moi, Karatina, the University of Nairobi, and MKU, among others. However, TVET uses a standard syllabus produced by KICD and examined by KNEC. In this article, we concentrate on Diploma in Catering and Accommodation Management for the KNEC syllabus.
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The objective of the Catering and Accommodation course
By the end of this Diploma in Catering and Accommodation, the trainee is expected to be able to do the following.
- Develop and produce different types of foods and beverages to the required standards of catering and accommodation establishment.
- Develop management skills to manage a catering and accommodation business.
- Appreciate hygiene and safety principles required in a catering and accommodation establishment and apply them in his or her day-to-day work.
- Ensure good maintenance of premises and equipment.
- Appreciate the role of food science and nutrition in the catering industry.
- Appreciate the impact of information communication technology in the catering and accommodation industry.
- Apply entrepreneurship, marketing, and management skills to start and run a catering and accommodation business.
The entry requirement for Diploma in Catering and Accommodation
Being a Diploma course those who wish to join any Kenyan TVET institution is required to have a minimum KCSE grade of C- and above.
Those who have done a Craft certificate in Catering and Accommodation and passed can proceed to a diploma level. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can request KNEC to exempt you from doing some units. When exempted, you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.
Diploma in Catering and Accommodation Management units per module
For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels which are supposed to take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and sits for the KNEC exam for those specific units before proceeding to the next level.
If you fail 3 units among all your units per module, KNEC considers it as FAIL and you have to repeat all units in that module. When you fail 1 or 2 units you are allowed to proceed to the next level but you must repeat the failed unit and pass before you are certified by KNEC.
When doing the examinations some units are combined and done as a single paper with different unit sections.
For the Diploma in Catering and Accommodation course, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified.
Catering and Accommodation Management Module 1 units
This module equips the trainee with knowledge and skills to prepare, produce and serve meals as well as carry out accommodation operations in a catering and accommodation business. Units offer in this module are:
- Food and beverage production (Practical and Theory)
- Food and beverage service (Practical and Theory)
- Food science and nutrition
- Sales and marketing
- First Aid
- Housekeeping and laundry operations (Practical and Theory)
- Front Office
- Home Nursing
- Catering and accommodation premises
- Catering and accommodation control 1
- Mathematics
- Information communication technology
- Communication skills
- Entrepreneurship
After modules 1 and 2 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course. Students can be attached to any industry or area that deals with catering and accommodation. This includes but is not limited to hotels, lodgings, boarding schools, hospitals, and gateways centers, among other areas that prepare food, serve, and can accommodate clients.
Module 2 units: Catering and Accommodation Management
This module equips the student with the knowledge, skills, and attitude required to perform supervisory duties in food and beverage production, sales, and service in the catering industry.
- Food and beverage production management (Practical and Theory)
- Food and beverage sales and service management (Practical and Theory)
- Diet therapy
- Accommodation operations management (Practical and Theory)
- Law
- Catering and accommodation control 2
- Hospitality Accounting
- Business plan
Module 3 units in Catering and Accommodation Management
The module equips the trainee with management duties in the catering industry.
- Food and beverage sales and service management (Practical and Theory)
- Food and beverage production management (Practical and Theory)
- Accommodation operations management 2 (Practical and Theory)
- Principles and practices of management
- Human relations
- Sales and marketing
- Research project
Career Progression in the Catering and Accommodation field
After you have done the course you will have enough knowledge to manage the hospitality and catering business.
With a Diploma in catering and accommodation, you can progress to a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality management and other related courses. Later on, you can specialize in areas such as:
- Event management
- Food and beverage production and management
- Travel and tourism
- Accommodation management
Employment opportunities in the catering and accommodation field
With a Diploma in Catering and Accommodation, you can be employed in the hospitality and hotel industry. Some of the roles that you can take in the industry can include.
- Catering section manager.
- Accommodation manager.
- Front office.
- Waiter.
- Chef.
- School or hospital matron.
For self-employment, you can start cake baking, bread preparation, laundry services, and housekeeping service among others. If you have enough capital you can establish a small hotel or start outside catering services for small events as you progress. The catering and accommodation industry is huge and there are many opportunities that the graduate can exploit.
For employment opportunities, you can approach any company that deals with accommodation, food and beverage preparation, organizing events, and dry cleaning services, among other areas