Industry expectations towards the hospitality graduates

Hospitality industry is one of the world’s most important industries and a major source of employment. Students who are well educated, well trained, and skilled continue to be a highly desirable source of talent in today’s hospitality job market. In order to recruit and retain desirable personnel in today’s competitive market, it is important for employers to understand needs and demands of the workforce. Career goals and expectations of students provide industry with a clear picture of the preferences and demands that future employees will hold.

Within a few years of graduation, undergraduate students are expected to be supervisors, managers, directors, and professionals in the hospitality industry. Hospitality management students have to consider carefully their career planning in order to comply with the demands of the hospitality industry’s competitive environment. Students who study or intend to study Hospitality Management should know about industry’s expectations and challenges, as well as the demanding work environment they can expect once they are employed in the industry.

Although there is often a mismatch between what the students and industry expect from each other. The flow of international and domestic tourists continuously creates new job opportunities which increase the demand for professionally trained staff in the industry.

Considering the size and scope of the hospitality industry, as well as its positive

contribution  to  job  creation  and  the  economic  upliftment  of  both  rural  and  urban communities. Hotel Management Colleges  are  usually  tasked  with  providing  suitably qualified employees to  business and industry and one way  of doing  this is to clarify  what industry  expects  from  graduates  and  vice  versa.  Students  that  study  or  intend  to  study Hospitality Management need to understand about the skills required associated  with  working  in  the  industry.

A successful career in the hospitality industry involves certain soft skills which are needed for graduates who wish to enter the industry. These include oral and written communication skills, self-management skills, problem-solving skills, conceptual skills, analytical skills, information management skills, the ability to work as part of a team, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and a willingness to learn. The attitudes of hospitality employees towards customer service and excellence are especially crucial. The ability to deal effectively with customers is the most prominent skill required by industry. This is followed by maintaining professional standards, a positive attitude, adaptability and flexibility and being service-oriented.  Though two prominent factors related to the skills industry require from graduates: management/technical skills and people skills. Due to the demanding nature of the hospitality industry and the serious skills shortages the industry face, it is imperative that both students and the industry reflect on what they expect from each other.

Kunal Madan

Director

Renaissance College of Hotel Management