Qualifications Frameworks

Qualifications Frameworks for the Canadian Tourism Sector

With a wide range of qualifications in the tourism sector, it can be challenging to know what they mean and offer.

Qualifications Frameworks are a tool that help understand qualifications and the links between them.

Qualifications Frameworks are useful for learners, education and training providers, and employers. The Culinary Qualifications Framework and the Hospitality Qualifications Framework shown below depict types of qualifications offered by public academic institutions, industry, and apprenticeship in the culinary and hospitality fields.

The frameworks also show how one type of qualification can lead onto another and help create different learning and career paths.


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Types of qualifications are positioned on one of the 8 levels of the frameworks. Those that put a similar intellectual demand on the learner are placed on the same level. The higher the level, the more challenging the demand on the learner is. Programs on the same level can vary in length, delivery method and content.

Who benefits from the Qualifications Frameworks?

Employers: gain a better understanding of the full spectrum of qualifications which improves hiring practices and staff professional development.
Individuals: see the different learning paths available, which allows them to tailor their professional development to their needs and qualifications;
Learners: can see where their qualifications fit in relation to their goals, which is useful to those coming from another country or another learning path (i.e. from industry to public education system)
Career counselors and teachers: find current information to help advise students and parents on the career path that will be the best fit; and
Educators: gain a tool that explains their programs to prospective students and emphasizes the transferability of their qualifications.

Want to get involved?

We would like to thank the representatives from over 40 colleges, universities, professional associations, and tourism operations who contributed their time and expertise to the development of the qualifications frameworks.

We continue to work on the development of the frameworks to ensure that the Qualifications Frameworks accurately reflect the learning opportunities that exist. Please bookmark this page for updates as the frameworks evolve.

The CTHRC is seeking stakeholder feedback for the next phase of development. If you would like to contribute to the Qualifications Framework project, please email tourismqualifications@cthrc.ca.

We welcome all feedback and suggestions by email at: tourismqualifications@cthrc.ca