The Italian system of Higher Education is made up of University education, Higher Level Arts and Music Education (AFAM) and Higher Technical Education (ITS). To enter any tertiary-level programme it is necessary to have a High School Diploma (secondary education).
ITS courses are linked to a defined range of high technology production areas, structured in sectorial fields. ITS represent the non-academic tertiary education and training segment, answering the enterprises’ demand of technicians who possess new and higher technological competences, and are able to promote innovation and to manage and control organization and production processes.
ITS – Higher Technical Institute for Hospitality and Broader Tourism Industry in Lecce is a public body, which works institutionally for the tourism growth in Apulia, under the supervision of Puglia Region and of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR).
A “Network Strategy” represents our structure, which involve public and private entities in pursuing common goals related to a sustainable development of tourism.
Practically, ITS trains Specialists in Tourism Industry and is responsible for collaboration with the other partners for the realization of common initiatives.
In the European Qualification Framework, ITS courses correspond to the fifth level and represent a practical and more job-oriented kind of training, in order to facilitate our students’ entrance in the European job market, focusing on innovative digital ICTs.
The Higher Technical Education Diploma (ITS Diploma) is awarded at the end of a study programme, which includes a total of 2000 learning hours and after passing a final exam to test competences reached by each student.
The practical experience on internship represents 45% of these learning hours. Our students carry out an individual internship working 480 hours per year in companies, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism offices and, in general, entities or associations which work in tourism economy.
ITS courses refer their curricula to a set of national standard concerning:
- Linguistic, communication and relational competences;
- Scientific, technological, legal and economic, organizational and managerial multi-level competences;
- Technical and professional skills specific to each nationally defined professional role of Higher Technician.
Consistently with the overall learning outcomes approach, ITS courses are divided into Units, described as a meaningful set of competences that can be assessed autonomously.
Main Fields of Study:
Accommodation & Hospitality Management
Accommodation & catering services
Food & beverage management
Tourism Experience Management
Travel agency services, tour operators’ services, booking services and connected activities, focused on:
Communication tools and Marketing strategies
Advertising and Public Relations
Foreign language dealings and associated activities
Tourist accommodation and activities and similar areas of expertise
Organisation of trade exhibitions, conferences and cultural events
Event management business