“I need a job – can hospitality short courses help?” A study of international student needs in Auckland, New Zealand

Hamish Small

Looking Forward

• Background to study• Part-time work models and policies• International Student Needs and Motivations• Hospitality Industry Needs and Compliance• Hospitality Short Courses• Research Methodology• Results• Limitations• Recommendations

• Previous study surrounding multi-cultural classroom• Services for international students• Employment outcomes• Courses on offer• Looking to the future• Is there demand for hospitality short courses to gain

employment?

Background to Study

• Common occurrence for students to work while studying• Supplementary income• Expand on theory• Options for employment post-study• Individual legislation• Definitions and classification• 20 hours per week (NZ)• 2012 – 48,104 international students (11.1% of all

tertiary) (MoEdu, 2012)• Employers want trained and knowledgeable staff

Part-time Work Models and Policies

• Programme content, services and facilities a large decision making factor

• Employment opportunities• Needs of different backgrounds and cultures• “One size fits all” • Globilisation provides economic benefits to educational

providers• Points of difference required• Employment will assist in preparing for new environment

International Student Needs and Motivations

• Part of NZ’s second biggest export revenue earner• Various sectors • Legislative requirements to operate legally and safely• Liquor licensing• Food safety• Coffee skills

Hospitality Industry Needs and Compliance

Hospitality Short Courses

Hospitality Short Courses cont.

Hospitality Short Courses cont.

Aim – Identify whether International students feel hospitality short courses

would assist them in gaining employment opportunities

Quantitative dominated questionnaire

Research Methodology

Results and Discussion

39% Currently Employed

74%

15%

11%

Employment Status

Hospitality

Cleaning

Retail

Appeal

• 61% currently unemployed• Of those, 82% actively looking for work• 100% looking for work want up-skilling• 85% of those working interested in up-skilling

Preferred Delivery Time

Course Offerings

• All courses requested– 53 LCQ– 52 Barista– 42 Food Safety

• Order of preference– 43% Barista– 40% LCQ– 17% Food Safety

Cost Gauge

Qualitative Responses

“Good idea” “Will be helpful”

“Need to concentrate on my studies”

“I thought AIS would help me find a job”

“We pay big fees so shouldn’t we have this training for free?”

• Reliability, consistent & dependable

• Limited to under graduates

• Further qualitative research

Limitations

Recommendations

• Need and demand

• Reciprocal benefits

• Tangible outcomes

• Further investment

• Point of difference

• HE provider of choice

A Pathway to a Dynamic Global Industry

High chance of employment within hospitality in NZ

AIS St Helens Bachelor of Hospitality Management

Thank you for your valuable time

Questions?