Enhancing Students' Success: An In-Depth Analysis of Support Systems and Strategies for Facilitating Supplemental Short Soft Skill Courses and Micro Badges

This descriptive research analyzed the support systems and strategies for facilitating supplemental short soft skills and micro badges of the 113 College of Hospitality and Tourism management students of Wesleyan University-Philippines. The profile of the respondents was described, as well as their short-term soft skills and micro badges earned. Additionally, support systems by the university and strategies employed by service providers were also explored. The study found that the large majority of respondents are 22-year-old female BSHM students with a moderate weekly allowance. The respondents' top 5 earned skills are communication skills, teamwork, adaptability, time management and hospitality supervisor certificate of American Hospitality Academy (AHA), while their top 5 micro badges are Customer Service Management in Tourism and Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Supervision, Travel and Tourism Operations, Travel Geography, and Destination Analysis. Institutional support is useful for access to soft skills and micro badge programs for the respondents, but improved scheduling and convenience are necessary to facilitate greater participation. Lastly, the strategies offered by the service providers are useful and understandable, but they should be more inspiring to encourage students to stay engaged.