Continuing Education
[ A ] There is an increasing trend in many countries across Europe towards the provision of continuing education ( CE ). Continuing education refers to courses which are offered as part of professional updating scheme for people in work and the number of CE courses is thus growing.
[ B ] Many educational institutions, for example, offer summer school programs or management development program s which are designed to update and reskill individuals in their chosen, specialist （专业的） fields. Some programs offer credits to students undertaking CE courses which count towards other recognized industry qualifications－for example, short courses at the University of Surrey are worth five credits towards HCIMA qualifications.
[ C ] The delivery of CE has traditionally been characterized by face-to-face activity, discussion and tuition （讲授）. However, the delivery mechanism is changing, and modes such as distance learning are becoming more common and increasingly important. For example, by reading this distance learning module, you are undertaking a form of CE activity because one of the primary objectives of this module is to update professionally. Taking this one step further, it is possible to argue that attendance at conferences is also a form of a CE activity since these should also play a major updating role.
[ D ] In addition, there is also a trend in CE towards the accumulation of credits by attendance at short courses which will accrue （积累） for, and eventually constitute, a recognized award. For example, students may gain credits towards an MSC in Tourism and Hospitality Education at the University of Surrey by attending short courses, submitting associated coursework and completing a number of distance learning modules. This mixed-mode flexibility means that students can continue to undertake their professional responsibilities, simultaneously reskilling themselves and gaining a recognized award.
[ E ] In-company training may also be perceived as another type of CE activity: after all, it is seeking to refresh employees’ knowledge and to assist them in undertaking their jobs more effectively. Many of the larger companies in the hospitality industry, in particular, offer comprehensive programs at all levels of operation from operative level through supervisory to managerial levels. The majority of these programs are well-structured and of major benefit to the employees. Sadly, however, they are rarely accredited (被认可) on a formal basis and they do not count for credits which can be accrued and, which count towards an external award.