STUDENT WORKPLACE COMPETENCY: INDUSTRY OUTCOMES-BASED ASSESSMENT IN SELECTED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OFFERING TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY COURSES

The competence of the workforce is the basis of the success of any organization. Since then, higher education institutions attempted to address the job mismatch between the academic involvement and workplace expectations. This study addressed every practitioner to assess the competency of tourism and hospitality students in selected higher education institutions. There are sets of workplace competencies required which are favorable for any student's development program and to promote improved organizations' operational efficiency. An employer wants to hire the right person for the job. Many of them are providing their investment on trainings to align their company's' vision, mission and strategies with the employee's competencies. This workplace competency helps the employees on what is expected of them on a target level of their performance. It is therefore, an ideal for the students to be provided with a preview of the actual workplace scenario to appreciate what's in the outside world. This descriptive study with respondents on tourism and hospitality related industries among 363 industry practitioners used the hospitality, tourism, and events industry model framework. Tier 3 known as workplace competencies, describe intentions and character, including relational and personal management styles. The study revealed that students in private and public schools have higher competency level in customer focus, teamwork, planning and organizing competencies.