Assessing Hospitality Management Students’ Competence: Basis For Designing A Skills Development Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajth.v4i1.6098Keywords:
Higher Education, Hospitality Management Students, Skills Development, Student Competencies, Training PreferencesAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the competencies and training preferences of hospitality management students at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) to serve as a foundation for developing a skills enhancement program. The study employed a descriptive research method with a survey design and involved third-year hospitality management students from the UEP Main Campus in Northern Samar. A five-point Likert scale was used to measure students’ perceived competence levels and training preferences. The findings indicated that students consider themselves to have high competence in areas such as Philippine historical and cultural heritage, professionalism and ethics, global citizenship, housekeeping operations, F&B service and operations, and risk management. Conversely, students reported moderate competence in preparing financial reports, human capital development functions, administrative and managerial skills, tourism laws, and creating and implementing business plans. Despite their perceived high competence in some areas, students expressed a strong preference for training on housekeeping, F&B service and operations, and risk management. Other highly preferred topics for a skills development program included Guest Service in Hospitality and Tourism, Food Styling and Design, Bartending, Cocktail and Mocktail Mixing, and Tour Guiding. The majority of respondents (84.3%) were willing to attend the training sessions, with a preferred duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes per week. The results will be used to design a skills development program for the UEP Hospitality Management Department. The study also provides a framework for other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that follow the CMO.62 S.2017 guidelines to optimize their student programs.
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