People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, has assured employers that the hospitality diploma for 14- to 19-year-olds may be improved as a result of feedback from the first wave of courses that kick off this autumn.

The message came after education experts warned that the new diplomas, a mixture of practical skills, work placements and classroom learning, could be a "disaster".

Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson of the University of Buckingham voiced doubts in a report last week. They warned it would be "too difficult to ensure students and their teachers do not cheat", as the diplomas would be based on 88% coursework and internal examinations, as opposed to external exams.

But schools minister Jim Knight rejected their view as "one-sided carping", while a spokesman for People 1st said the industry would have an extra year to "iron out any creases" in the diploma system as the hospitality diploma launches in September 2009.

"While we welcome this report, the hospitality diploma isn't due to start until the following year, so it is more of a reflection on the initial diplomas' structures," he said. "By running the diploma next year we can learn from the feedback we get from schools, employers and teachers."

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By Gemma Sharkey

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