A lodging internship competency model: enhancing educational outcomes through work integrated learning

Abstract

This paper examines current views of lodging industry executives as to competencies required of student interns and introduces a model for the development of these competencies through the 'work integrated learning' internship process. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the intern competencies that are currently considered most necessary by the lodging industry - an area that is under-researched in the lodging internship literature - so as to progress understanding of how lodging management education programs, particularly internships, can improve educational outcomes for all stakeholders to the process - educators, industry and students. The paper first offers an introduction and background on work integrated learning, internships and lodging competencies, before presenting the results of a preliminary survey into lodging executive's views of desired intern competency levels, pre-and post-internships, across 18 core essential competencies (CECs). The results of this preliminary survey indicate that leadership and interpersonal skills are the intern competencies most required by industry and that interns should even display some level of competence in these skills prior to commencing the internship. The Lodging Internship Competency Model proposed is an introductory model designed to highlight potential relationships between key variables in the competency development process of the lodging internship.