THRIVE: 11 After two challenging years which forced the STH to implement innovative Work Integrated Education (WIE) and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) practices, these activities are now back in full swing, writes WIL Coordinator, Tracy Daniels. For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, we were successful in placing all third-year students studying towards their Diploma qualifications in face-toface WIL positions. Along with this, we implemented new and exciting WIE initiatives for all students across all years of study. As the tourism and hospitality industries re-emerge and recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic, it has been challenging for industry partners to take on students while bringing staff back into the workplace. Despite this, our existing and new partners rose to the occasion, acknowledging the importance of engagement with students in grooming the future leaders of the sector. One of the most exciting new partnerships forged in 2022 was with Tourvest Destination Management who after a speed interview day, placed 28 students across their various departments. Our third-year degree students had the privilege of being a part of the global first face-to-face Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy for an academic institution, geared towards inspiring and enabling tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs through technology. The academy created awareness amongst students of entrepreneurship opportunities on the Airbnb platform, introduced the latest trends in 21st century travel and enabled the next generation of tourism entrepreneurs to leverage the Airbnb platform for economic benefit. Additionally, we formed new partnerships with First Car Rental who placed students in offices across South Africa and Marriott International who placed students for their WIL in Doha, Qatar, giving them the opportunity to gain a once in a lifetime experience of working at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. WIL and WIE are a priority for the following reasons: ◼ ◼ these practices provide students with opportunities to experience realworld work settings ◼ ◼ they help to develop students’ sense of awareness of themselves and workplace culture, ◼ ◼ they enhance soft skills and advance the application of theoretical knowledge ◼ ◼ they guide future career decisions and aspirations and boost employment prospects, ◼ ◼ lastly, they increase students’ awareness of industry issues, and challenge and broaden their perspectives. As the tourism and hospitality industries shift and new futures of work emerge, career expectations have changed dramatically. In response to this, we are committed to grooming students with the competencies necessary for this changing environment including core transferable skills such as resilience, leadership, communication, and critical thinking. E m p l o y a b i l i t y Work Integrated Education: Back in Full Swing! For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, all third-year diploma students were successfully placed in face-toface WIL positions. photo credit (STH)
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