EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT STUDENTS: BASIS FOR ENHANCED CURRICULUM

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the employability skills and competencies of Hospitality Management students in Nueva Vizcaya State University as a basis for curricular enhancement. Descriptive survey approach was used to assess the employability skills and competencies of Hospitality Management students. Result revealed a very high level of employability skills and competencies of the participants as seen in the assessment of faculty and partner agency specifically under personal qualities and interpersonal competencies. The null hypothesis for resource, interpersonal, information systems, technology, basic skills, thinking skills and personal qualities were accepted. The result showed no significant difference among the participants' assessment level of employability skills necessary for careers in the hospitality industry in relation to the above-mentioned competencies. The assessed competencies in the specialized areas also showed that the participants were very competent, which is supported by the National Competency (NC) Test passed by the students. No significant differences were observed in bread and pastry, housekeeping, food and beverage, bartending and front office. It was on the competency in the specialized area of commercial cooking that showed significant differences. The problems encountered during the on-the-job training of the students were financial incapacity and lack of manipulative skills in baking and quantity cooking. The faculty problems were administrative and supervisory in nature, while the partner agency had problems on the personal qualities, and poor communication skills of student trainees. The trainees also lack skills in some specialized areas as well as they lack exposure due to strict compliance on educational field trips by CHED Memo Order. The partner agency recommends that the students should practice ethical standards in the work place, be knowledgeable in their specialized areas and have good communication skills in order to be employable in the hospitality industry