Travel & Tourism Revision — Open Awards Vocationally-Related Qualification
Complete Open Awards Vocationally-Related Qualification Travel & Tourism specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Basic Food Preparation and Cooking
- Introduction to Careers in the Maritime Sector
- Introduction to Support Level Watch Keeping
- Introduction to Mooring and Securing a Vessel
- Introduction to using and Maintaining Engineering Tools
- Introduction to Using and Maintaining Engineering Tools
- Introduction to Vessel Engineering
- Introduction to Vessel Navigation
- Introduction to Vessel Stability and Construction
- Introduction to Working Afloat
- Maritime Safety Skills
- Prepare, Cook and Finish Food
- Problem Solving in the Workplace
- Basic Vessel Engineering Systems
- Ropework and Knots Used On Board Vessels
- Safe, Hygienic and Secure Working Environments in Hospitality
- Using Teamwork Skills
- Vessel Repair and Maintenance
- Vessel Ropework, Anchoring and Mooring Operations
- Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry
- Developing Group and Teamwork Communication Skills
- Food Service
- Health and Safety Awareness for Catering and Hospitality
- Introduction to Catering on board a Vessel
- Introduction to Marine Charts and Compasses
Top Exam Board Tips
- Always layout all ingredients and equipment before starting (mise en place) to work efficiently within assessment time limits.
- Taste dishes at key stages and adjust seasoning gradually to demonstrate professional control and understanding of flavour balance.
- For presentation tasks, clean plate rims and use simple garnishes that complement the dish without overcrowding the plate.
- Read the recipe fully before starting.
- Keep your workspace clean and organised.
- Taste your food and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Use visual aids or flashcards to remember key industry types and their typical vessels, as questions often require matching them.
- When describing a job role, always state the industry (e.g. 'a deckhand on a fishing trawler') to show full understanding.
- When answering on career pathways, always specify whether the role is wet or dry side and give clear examples of progression steps and typical employers.
- Use specific terminology like 'STCW' (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), 'Port Authority', 'Freight Forwarder' to demonstrate sector knowledge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing boiling with simmering or poaching, leading to overcooked or poorly textured food.
- Neglecting to check internal food temperatures, risking undercooked meat or fish that fails safety standards.
- Using the same chopping board for raw meat and ready-to-eat vegetables, causing cross-contamination.
- Overcooking or undercooking food.
- Poor hygiene practices leading to cross-contamination.
- Not measuring ingredients correctly.
- Confusing shore-based maritime jobs (like port operator or shipping agent) with on-board roles; learners must focus specifically on careers aboard vessels.
- Assuming all maritime jobs are about sailing or driving the ship, overlooking support roles such as catering, entertainment, or maintenance.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Know the principal methods of cooking. Be able to prepare, cook and present simple dishes.
- Be aware of the variety of career pathways on board vessels in the Maritime sector, Know different types industries involved in the Maritime sector.
- 1. Understand progression through career pathways in the wet and dry side of the maritime sector 2. Understand how the maritime sector operates
- Understand the purpose of vessel watch keeping at the support level, Know how to respond to non-routine events or occurrences
- Understand what is meant by mooring and securing a vessel., Understand mooring operations and safety factors., Understand the use of a mooring winch, Understand the use of an anchor windlass
- Understand how to maintain and use tools safely. Know about manual tools and their uses. Know about power tools and their uses. Understand how to maintain and store manual and power tools.
- Use tools safely. Show familiarity with manual tools and their uses. Show familiarity with power tools and their uses. Maintain and store manual tools.
- Know the types of main propulsion and steering systems on vessels, Know the basic principles of the different main propulsion and steering systems, Understand the importance of planned maintenance of main, ancillary and auxiliary machinery and equipment, Understand the importance of safe working practices in machinery spaces
- Understand the use of charts for navigating a vessel, Understand the use of a compass in navigating a vessel, Know a range of electronic instruments and systems used for navigation
- Know why a vessel floats, Understand the basic principles of subdivision of the hull, Know common nautical terms, Know the main structural features of a vessel
- 1. Know how to use appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment 1.1 Select appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment for working afloat 1.2 Put on personal protective equipment correctly 1.3 Demonstrate the correct care for personal protective equipment2. Know the considerations for launch, mooring and recovery 2.1 Explain how to safely launch a vessel 2.2 Explain how to safely recover a vessel 2.3 Outline safety considerations for a launch site 2.4 Moor a vessel safely3. Understand the importance of checking the weather and water conditions 3.1 Identify sources of weather information 3.2 Explain the effects of at least two different wind speeds on the safety of a vessel 3.3 Outline considerations for tides and water conditions such as river flow or summer algae4. Be able to safely operate a vessel afloat 4.1 Check vessel before sailing 4.2 Safely launch a vessel 4.2 Sail a vessel in all directions in light winds 4.3 Safely return and moor a vessel
- Be able to comply with Maritime Health and Safety requirements. Understand Maritime Health and Safety requirements. Understand Maritime emergency procedures.
- Know the basic principles of food preparation., Know the basic principles for cooking food., Know the basic principles of finishing food., Know how to clear down work areas and equipment and store food at end of production.
- Understand problems that may occur in the workplace. Understand the ways to solve problems in the workplace. Understand ways to work collaboratively to solve a problem. Understand the benefits of evaluation.
- Know how an internal combustion engine works, Know how diesel engine ancillary systems work, Know how the power generated is used to propel a vessel, Know the purpose of vessel environmental, service and pumping systems, Know how to maintain safe operation of a vessel’s engineering systems