A Study on Improvising the Employability of Hospitality Students in the Present Scenario

The purpose of this research is to understand how to improve the employability of hospitality management students in India. Whilst there is huge demand for quality manpower, most of the students graduating from hospitality management institutes do no possess the requisite skill sets. There are several skills that are specifically required in the hospitality sector. These include competencies in the four main broad functions that define hospitality management including food production, food & beverages, front office and housekeeping. Other competencies include fluency in English, the ability to think logically and the orientation towards quality and people management. In addition there are soft skills such as impeccable grooming, the ability to speak English, communication, problem solving, planning and organizing and self-management skills. The hospitality sector is best suited for individuals who like working with people, who are extroverted and who have specific levels of knowledge, behavioral skills and personality traits in India. A lack or a gap in any of these skills and competencies leads to a situation where there are unfilled vacancies on the one hand and unemployable young persons on the other. In addition, hiring of persons without the requisite skills is risky as the competitiveness of a hospitality chain is dependent on the ability of its staff to deliver exemplary customer service. This ability in turn depends on the level of skills and training provided to the staff. The primary data collection tool is a questionnaire administered to 100 respondents from hospitality management institutes in India. It was found that there is overwhelming focus on technical skills only. Even here, the training touches only on the basics of the four hospitality verticals. There is little or no focus on new emerging fields, personality development, soft skill training. Even the selection processes were found to be faulty with scanty preparation being given for interview selection. In light of these findings, suitable recommendations have been made. This research would have served its purpose if, hospitality management institutes in India use its findings to upgrade their curriculum and prepare job-ready hospitality professionals.