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Employability & pertinence of WBL for International Hospitality Management students a comparative study of the respective experiences of students from India and the UK

Bernie Quinn (Programme Leader IHM, QMU Edinburgh)

Bryan Cruden (Co-ordinator for Direct Entry Students QMU Edinburgh)

Rupa Datta (Programme Leader, Kolkata)

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Research has evolved over 3 years

• Collaboration between IIHM & QMU • BA International Hospitality Management• Edinburgh: Quinn & Cruden started exit interviews• ‘Bridging’ & teaching in-country (Kolkata)• Closer working partnerships with colleagues• Qualitative research starts in Edinburgh• Mix of taped audio and visual one-to-one or focus

groups• ‘Student learning experiences’.

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Evolution led to…

• Quinn & Cruden in contact with many graduates• Realisation that almost 100% international

students went straight into hospitality industry

• Figures for UK students less (70-80%)

• Considered again mapping differences of levels one and two of both sets of students

• Considered the relative ‘hunger’ of both sets of students to proceed into industry

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Levels 1 & 2 Edinburgh

• Practical classes 6 hours per week for 10 weeks in first year and then again in second year

• Placement between levels 2 and 3 of 16 weeks; must be related to degree

• History & evolution of f&B• Managing f&b theory• Generic management & marketing, HR concepts• Part-time work in industry

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Levels 1 & 2 Soft skills Edinburgh

• Handling guest relations• Basics of different types of communication• Group discussions• Personal development• Guest lectures• Video shows• Presentation skills

– poster– oral– power pointAll of this leads to….

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an experience…………

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Levels 1 & 2 in Kolkata (in Realia)

• Realia is a recurrent theme throughout involves;• f & b practical sessions almost daily• 22 weeks industrial training• Realia restaurant operation• ‘celebrity’ teachers commonly used• Food fests, theme parties (supervised by senior

students)• Cocktails, mixology, fine dining, inventory control and

menu planning• Use of common tools in industry: Fidelio etc.

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Levels 1 & 2 Kolkatta Soft skills

• Handling guest relations• Basics of different types of communication• Group discussions• Etiquette• Personal development• Mock interviews• Guest lectures• Video shows• Spoken English classes• Presentation skills

– poster– oral– power pointAll of this leads to….

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Intensity of Experience

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Work Experience Kolkatta V Edinburgh

• 22 weeks industrial placement in India, Dubai, Singapore

• Tends to be 5* hotel environment

• Students are expected to work intensive placements that will stretch them physically, mentally and to showcase skills already learned

• Expected to reflect upon the experience

• 16 weeks industrial placement usually in Scotland, Europe, or USA

• Can be any pertinent placement that aims to enhance or build new skills required by industry

• Students expected to complete the placement and reflect upon the process

• Opportunities for p/t work in industry

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Employers & Employability>> Indian Graduate

• Both in UK and Asia Indian graduates are generally accepted as;

• Well educated• Conscientious• Hard working• Having a wide range of hard & soft skills• **Keen to progress• Enthusiastic about hospitality industry• **May take some time before they are considered

‘ready’ for management positions in UK

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Employers & Employability >> UK Graduate

• UK graduates generally accepted as;• Well educated• Keen to progress• Will possess certain limited hard skills• Individuals may have an awareness of soft skills• Have high expectations (unrealistic at times) of

their worth (personal & financial)• Have high early expectations of industry• ** May have difficulties in accepting a ‘starting

position’ within industry unless ‘management’ appears in title!

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Students; asked how level 3 had prepared them better for industry….

• “Events management, facilities, marketing and small business”

• “biggest ever opportunity to get a global education and a global degree which would benefit you, in your future life”

• “ I’m really doing well in my job, in my career, everything. Everything has changed. I have changed my life”

• Research Data Analysis>> “waste of time I don’t know where that will be used in the future”, or

• “Research, that’s the real link, just research and research”

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Catalyst

• Life-changing?• Transferable skills• Action management• Reflection / CPD

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Progress?• Indian students could be better prepared for future

management (culturally may be difficult)• Indian students, due to intensive practical

skills/training, perhaps tend to focus on utilising these skills when entering industry (comfort zone?)

• Indian graduates more likely to take on post grad studies sooner

• UK graduates have sometimes unrealistic expectations and a laissez-faire attitude

• the N/gen (now generation)

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prospects…• Students can learn much from each other; closer

working and socialising within the learning environment will benefit both groups of students

• If these social circles are more diverse leading to inclusivity then these precepts should follow into industry……….

• Closer relationships between academia and industry to acknowledge and develop N/geners in a way that satisfies all stakeholders

• Wbl then is also wbl for life• UK students need more developed range of hard and

soft skills / Indian students need contextualised management training

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Meet Manish