Dr. Tony Degazon heads the City & Guilds Group, overseeing operations in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. HN spoke to the regional manager about how he deals with the responsibility of overseeing 400 technical and vocational centers and his pride in certifying approximately 25,000 people each year.

As an entrepreneurial educator, how are you able to translate concepts into active strategies?
City & Guilds provides industry-based credentials to meet the demand of skilled, qualified employees in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The pandemic has increased the uptake of online learning and encouraged people to seek and learn difference skills; for example, seeking cabin crew training to enter the hotel and catering business.

What are the benefits of City & Guilds qualifications?
For 140 years, City & Guilds services have been designed to recognize vital workplace skills by providing work relevant qualifications to apprenticeships as well as accreditation and assessments programs. City & Guilds helps people in more than 80 countries develop the skills needed to land their first job, launch their career, become competent and assume any role in any country.

Do you have any new partnerships in the works?
City & Guilds works with employers and vocational training providers that place quality and excellence at the heart of what they do. Saudi Arabia is investing in the hospitality and tourism sector, and City & Guilds is working with WorldChefs to provide young Saudis with meaningful and exciting career opportunities in the industry.

cityandguilds.com