Tai Poutini Polytechnic

As well as our West Coast programmes, we offer options in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Wanaka and Invercargill.

Our reputation for the quality of graduates is outstanding. Call into one of our campuses and check out what's available or use one of our free 0800 numbers (0800 800 411 Greymouth or 0800 265 526 Auckland).

Hospitality and Tourism Options Include:

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN HOSPITALITY (ENTRY SKILLS)

This programme provides students with the generic entry skills and knowledge required to work in the hospitality industry.

Elective units include: Basic Food and Beverage Service or Accommodation and Guest Services.

Students train in Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Training Restaurant Tutoro, which provides a realistic working environment. This programme also includes two weeks work placement which allows students to practice and apply skills learnt on the programme.

CERTIFICATE IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

This programme provides students with the skills and knowledge required to work in all areas of the hospitality and tourism industry. The programme has been developed to meet the needs of tourism and hospitality operators and seasonal constraints on the West Coast.

Students train in Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s training restaurant Tutoro, which provides a realistic working environment. This programme also includes six weeks work placement. This programme incorporates the National Certificate in Hospitality (Food and Beverage Services) (Level 3) and the National Certificate in Tourism (Core Skills) (Level 3).

Core Elements:
* Cocktail Bar Service
* Espresso Production
* Cross-Cultural Communication
* First Aid
* Introduction to Tourism
* Fine Dining Restaurant
* Interpretation Skills Service and Operation

SHORT AWARD IN COMMERCIAL HOSPITALITY

This 33 credit short award is designed as a work-based training programme and is delivered in short block courses. These off site training sessions are followed up by workplace visits from our hospitality tutors to ensure the theory is applied into practice.

This award has a strong customer service and food safety focus. Staff will gain the skills necessary to increase sales by up selling to guests and providing methods to enhance the customer experience both on the restaurant floor and the bar. Employers and business owners will benefit by the increased awareness of exceeding customer expectation and creating a positive customer experience.

CERTIFICATE IN HOSPITALITY SUPERVISION

This programme incorporates the National Certificate in Hospitality (Operations Supervision) (Level 4) and includes 18 weeks workplace learning. On-campus learning will commence in term 2, and work-based learning will take place in the peak season.

This programme also includes the Licence Controller’s Qualification which enables students to apply to the local District Licensing Authority for their General Manager’s Certificate.

Core Elements:
* First Line Management
* Workplace Assessment
* Occupational Health and Safety
* Work and Study Skills
* Interpersonal Communication
* Food and Beverage
* Hospitality Operations Skills Planning and Coordination and Knowledge

CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONAL CULINARY ARTS

This programme is both serious and exciting. The syllabus covers a wide range of cuisines and styles. Our aim is to see our students gain quality industry positions, or progress to further study. On completion of our programme, more than 90% of graduates gain industry positions, or move onto further training. Our graduates are employed both locally and nationally with many furthering their careers overseas. We have professional tutors whose national and international experience is now dedicated to student training and all things culinary. We are not training people how to cook, we are training professional chefs!

CERTIFICATE IN ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL CULINARY ARTS

The advanced level programme is designed to broaden and strengthen skills and knowledge gained in the certificate programme.

Topics include:
* Kitchen Maintenance and Design
* Advanced Stocks, Soups and Sauces
* Advanced Pastries, Desserts and Breads
* Advanced Larder Preparation and Cookery
* Advanced Practical and Theoretical Techniques
* Menu Planning and Design
* Food Costing and Budget Control
* Advanced Restaurant Service
* Nutrition and Dietary Requirements

CERTIFICATE IN ECOTOURISM

With world heritage status, surrounded by five National Parks and a large conservation estate, the West Coast boasts one of New Zealand's most natural environments.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic offers a range of learning options to support the growing ecotourism sector of national and international tourism. This programme offers varied and exciting one-day and multi-day field trips to many iconic West Coast locations. It includes a 10 week workplace component.

Core Elements:
* Outdoor Skills
* Business studies
* NZ History/Te Ao Maori
* Earth Science/Meteorology
* Interpretation
* Ecological Management
* Guiding Skills
* Plant and Animal Identification and Biology

DIPLOMA IN ECOTOURISM

This distance learning programme is designed for people who want to enhance their employment options within the ecotourism industry. Graduates will gain specific skill sets that will enhance their employment opportunities within this industry.

This programme is delivered in short awards, predominately using distance learning methods with some block courses necessary to complete the diploma. It is ideal if you are already employed and wish to complete some study while working.

Core Elements:
* Kayaking
* Interpretation and Cultural Tourism
* Tramping
* Guiding
* Marine Mammals
* Business Studies
* NZ Ecosystems

CERTIFICATE IN OUTDOOR RECREATION

This popular programme is a great stepping stone to a career in the outdoors. Live and learn amongst the mountains, rivers, and lakes of the spectacular West Coast. Living here means being close to all of these wild places, so less time is spent travelling to them and more time is spent living and learning amongst them.

Your ‘classroom activities’ will include rock climbing on the Charleston sea cliffs, ice climbing at Fox Glacier, mountaineering in Arthur’s Pass, tramping in the Lewis Pass or simply paddling kayaks on one of the many lakes or famous whitewater rivers on the West Coast.

Theory subjects will support your skills and growing confidence in the outdoors. These include: outdoor first aid, meteorology, environmental science, risk management, expedition planning, training and nutrition, catering, communication and computer skills.

It is a big year, chock full of learning, growth, adventure and fun.

CERTIFICATE IN ADVANCED LEADERSHIP AND GUIDING

This dynamic and innovative programme caters for those with a passion for the outdoors who want to lead others! Graduates of this programme will have the technical skills, knowledge and professional attitudes necessary to pursue advanced specialist recreational opportunities in NZ and overseas. Specialise in three pursuits - choose from raft, rock climbing, mountaineering, sea kayak, whitewater kayak or snow sports.* Theory includes: pre-hospital emergency care, meteorology, teaching skills, career planning, risk management, leadership, adventure based learning and instructing and guiding clients.