Matter of Exposure that decides Student's Future

Matter of Exposure that decides Student's Future


This is all about Hotel Management Course running in India.

The course which was started in India around 1960 and took a formal shape after emergence of National Council of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition in 1979, now spread throughout the nation. One can find Hotel Management Colleges in each and every corner of the country. But do you think the Hotel Management Institutions are able to provide the desired Job or able to meet the expectation of the students from the course. Lets uncover the reasons besides the same.



The curriculum design of Hotel Management Course allow students to understand the four major operational areas of the Hotel i.e. Kitchen, Food & Beverage Service, Front Office & Housekeeping. And to manage these areas exposure to allied subjects like Accountancy, Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Hotel Engg.&Facility Planning, F&B Cost Control, Hotel Law, Business Strategies and few more Management related subjects has been incorporated, so that the students can able to understand how to operate and manage the Hotels.

While designing any curriculum for Technical Education, like- Hotel Management, It seems almost compulsory to associate Industrial Exposure Training too, so the students can get real life exposure to the Hotel Industry and understand the components of Hotel Management.


Yes, its true that the four major operational areas are important and each and every students of Hotel Management should get exposure to these areas, to understand the basic procedures, but one should not make this the LIMIT OF EXPOSURE to Hotel Management students.



In today's scenario the exposure during 22 Weeks / 6 Months Industrial Training is only LIMITED to OPERATIONAL AREAS and seems more concentrated on F&B Service and that also in Banquets, where ample number of staff are required.



Most of the Hotel Management Graduates are not permitted to get exposure beyond basic hotel operations. And in such case the reasons should not be describes like-

"I learned from the basic and it takes 5 or 10 years to become a Manager/Supervisor for me, so you (student) too should learn in the same way".

Which is most prominent line used by Buddies or Mentors in the Industry under whom the students getting industrial exposure. Such conventional approach and thoughts should not allow to prevail in the industry. The mentors or buddies who are responsible for grooming of professional attitude and skills should not suppose to use any such dialogues which act as negative energy or de-motivating factors for the students.



The Industrial Training in hotels need thorough REVISION…



Its seems almost strange, when you find that a students from Food Craft Institute(FCI) which prepare professionals for specialized Operational Area through short term course and internship, why the Hotel Management graduates are merged with these candidates during Industrial Training and Job?



We know that students are like clay and the way we shape them, will later decides there career and future development.



Can I ask, why it is not necessary to give exposure to the Managerial Aspects besides Operational procedures? Why the cost factor seems more important than the student's career and future growth? The students of Hotel Management are not only meant for helping the operational level staff, they also suppose to the assist the Managers. Let them learn the COMPLETE hotel management rather allowing them only to wipe the glasses!!!



I know this statement tickles most of the Hoteliers & HR Peoples, but it's a bitter truth… When Hotels are concerning for their growth and development, then why can't we people concern for student's growth and development? How students can develop themselves for Management, if they are getting constant exposure to the Basic Hotel Operations?



And that is the reason why after completion of Hotel Management Course, these students are getting job of Waiter or entry level jobs in other operational departments of the hotels. On an average not more that 10% of Hotel Management Graduates are selected in Management of the Hotels. Yes now a days definitely Restaurant Chains becoming good alternative for getting job in Management!!! Even most of them find to opt alternative jobs in sectors like- BPOs / Banks etc.



Here both Hotel Management Institutions and Hotels has to work together to come up with such solution which allow students to think beyond hotel operations i.e. Management and Research & Development Activities.



I can ensure, once this will be thoroughly implemented across nation you will find a better Hotel Work culture. This could also reduce the problem of Talent Retention in the Hospitality Industry.

Else,

Just Change this Name to Hotel Operations dont associate the term Management with this course, it increasing the expectation!!!