Qualifications and Employability Skills Among Fourth-Year Tourism Students of Bestlink College of the Philippines
Vol.3, No.1C
Abstract
Tourism program aims to prepare the students for the major roles of an effective promoter of the country’s natural and cultural attractions to domestic and international communities, a tourism development planner who can evaluate and identify tourism opportunities, an effective manager of the hospitality resources such as hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and restaurants; to be an entrepreneur who will accelerate economic development; and to be a truly responsible citizen of the country. After completing the degree, every student eventually leaves the college or university campus and seeks a career-oriented job. Tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Employers are worried that they may be unable to find enough employees to fill open positions. Tourism is a growth field that will continue to offer great opportunities. Hospitality and tourism are the two fastest-growing and most exciting industries in the world, but that was before the world was experiencing a pandemic that affected countries' tourism.
Based on the statistical analysis results of the data gathered, summarized, and presented in the preceding chapter, the following is the summary of the study findings. There were 50 respondents from the graduating Tourism students of Bestlink Colleges of the Philippines. Most respondents were female, aged between 18 and 22 years old.
Regarding the assessment of Qualifications and employability skills of BCP Tourism graduating students, they were "Highly Agreed" with an overall mean of 4.21 and 4.36. Regarding challenges faced by the male and female respondents, the indicator “Lack of confidence" has the highest average rate of 70%, or 35 out of 50 respondents agreed that they faced most of this challenge. On the other hand, the Indicators “Low employee engagement and motivation” and "Labor demand in the Tourism and Hospitality industry" have the lowest average rate of 16%, or eight out of 50 respondents faced this challenge.
