If you’re dreaming of becoming a flight attendant, one of the key steps is choosing the right strand in senior high school to help you develop relevant skills. In the Philippines, the K-12 curriculum offers several strands that can prepare students for a career in the aviation industry. But which one is best suited for aspiring flight attendants?

What is a strand in Senior High School?

Before getting into the specifics, it’s essential to understand what a strand is. In the Philippines’ K-12 education system, students choose a strand that aligns with their career goals. These strands fall under broader tracks like Academic, Arts and Design, Sports, and Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL). Each strand is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need for college or their chosen profession.

The TVL track: Home economics strand for aspiring flight attendants

For those looking to become a flight attendant, the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track is often the best option. More specifically, the Home Economics (HE) Strand within the TVL track provides students with the necessary skills. The Home Economics strand focuses on fields like hospitality, tourism, and customer service – all of which are crucial for a flight attendant career.

This strand includes subjects like front office services, food and beverage services, and travel services, which are directly relevant to the day-to-day responsibilities of a flight attendant. Additionally, you will develop soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and customer relations.

Key subjects in the TVL-Hospitality strand

Some of the key subjects offered in the TVL-Hospitality strand include:

  • Food and Beverage Services: Learning how to serve passengers and manage in-flight meals.
  • Housekeeping: Understanding cleanliness and order in small spaces, relevant for maintaining cabin areas.
  • Front Office Services: Enhances customer service skills, crucial for managing passenger interactions.

Other strands that can help aspiring flight attendants

While the TVL track is the most directly relevant, there are other strands under the Academic Track that can also prepare you for this career:

  • Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM): This strand focuses on management and communication, useful for understanding the business aspects of airlines and aviation management.
  • Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS): This strand helps develop interpersonal skills and effective communication, which are critical for flight attendants.

Additional certifications and training

Graduating from senior high school is just the first step toward becoming a flight attendant. After completing your strand, you will need to pursue additional flight attendant training programs. These programs cover safety procedures, emergency response, and customer service, which are essential for working in the aviation industry. Some airlines provide their own training, while others may require you to complete external certifications.

What airlines look for beyond education

In addition to formal education and training, airlines are looking for flight attendants with specific personality traits and soft skills. These include:

  • Excellent communication skills: You’ll be interacting with passengers from various backgrounds, so being able to communicate clearly is essential.
  • Adaptability: Flight attendants often face unexpected situations, and the ability to stay calm under pressure is vital.
  • Cultural awareness: As a flight attendant, you will encounter passengers from all over the world, so being culturally sensitive is crucial.

Share your experiences and join the discussion

If you’re an aspiring flight attendant or currently working towards becoming one, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have any questions about the best path to take? Share your experience in the comments section below.

For more insights, visit our cabin crew forum, where experienced flight attendants answer your questions. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, check out our cabin crew jobs page for the latest opportunities in the aviation industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a strand in Senior High School?

In the Philippines’ K-12 system, a strand refers to a specific course or program students choose based on their career goals. Strands are part of broader tracks, such as Academic or Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL), and help prepare students for future jobs or college courses.

2. Which strand is best for becoming a flight attendant?

The Home Economics (HE) Strand under the TVL track is the best option for aspiring flight attendants. It focuses on hospitality, tourism, and customer service skills, all of which are essential for a flight attendant career.

3. What subjects are offered in the TVL-Hospitality strand?

Key subjects include food and beverage services, front office services, and housekeeping. These subjects help develop skills in customer service, managing in-flight meals, and maintaining cabin cleanliness.

4. Can other strands prepare me to be a flight attendant?

Yes, the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand helps with communication and business understanding. The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand develops strong interpersonal and communication skills, both useful for flight attendants.

5. Is Senior High School enough to become a flight attendant?

No, after Senior High School, you will need additional training programs. These programs focus on flight safety, emergency response, and further customer service skills needed for the aviation industry.

6. What do airlines look for beyond education?

Airlines seek flight attendants with excellent communication skills, adaptability in challenging situations, and cultural awareness to serve passengers from various backgrounds.