What is the purpose of this qualification?
The purpose of this qualification is to develop learners’ knowledge, understanding and practical awareness of the hospitality and catering sector. It is designed for learners who are new to the sector and wish to build confidence while developing an understanding of hospitality environments, customer service, food hygiene and basic catering activities.
Through mandatory units and a wide range of optional units, including hospitality and catering, employability skills and English or Maths, the qualification supports learners to develop both sector‑specific and transferable skills, preparing them for progression to further learning or training within hospitality and catering.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with a broad introduction to the hospitality and catering industry while developing essential knowledge, practical awareness and workplace behaviours. The qualification allows learners to personalise their learning through optional units and supports progression to further learning, training or related vocational opportunities.
The objectives of the qualification are to provide learners with the opportunity to:
• understand the structure and purpose of the hospitality and catering industry
• recognise the importance of customer service in hospitality environments
• develop awareness of food hygiene, safety and basic health and safety practices
• gain introductory practical experience in hospitality and catering activities through selected optional units
• develop basic workplace skills, including communication, teamwork and following instructions
• develop employability skills, and English and/or Maths skills where selected, to support progression
• build confidence and readiness for further learning or training in hospitality and catering
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award and Certificate. Learners should take the Certificate if they need a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 1 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in hospitality and catering such as porter, housekeeping assistant, kitchen assistant.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 1 certificate or diploma in Hospitality and Catering, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 Certificate and Diploma in Hospitality and Catering.
Progression & entry requirements
There are no specific prior skills/knowledge learners must have for this qualification.
Centres must ensure that learners have the correct information and advice when selecting qualifications to ensure that the qualification will meet their needs.
Centres must ensure that this qualification suits the age and abilities of their learners by ensuring that learners can meet the relevant literacy, numeracy, digital, and health and safety requirements of the qualification.
Learners enrolled on this qualification should not undertake another qualification at the same level with a similar title or content, as this could impact funding eligibility due to duplicated learning.
On completion of this qualification learners will be equipped with a basic, introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to hospitality and catering.
Successful completion of the Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate in Hospitality and Catering (Entry 3) could allow learners to progress onto:
• Level 1 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering
• Level 1 Diploma in Hospitality and Catering
• entry-level roles in hospitality and catering (for example as a porter, housekeeping assistant, kitchen assistant)
A full in-depth careers information, advice and guidance session should be completed for learners before, during and after completion of learning, finding them the most appropriate progression pathways unique to them and based on their ability and aspirations.
