Work Placements for HND Hospitality Management Students at EHWLC

Friday 01 August 2008Comment on this article Permlink

Work Placements for HND Hospitality Management Students

The West London Lifelong Learning Network (WL LLN) funded a project in 2007 at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College (EHWLC) to ensure Year 1 students received a relevant industry placement during their programme of study.

The goal was to support students, identifying and preparing them for their work placements which ran over one semester (3-6 months). The project counted as a work-based learning module and involved regular contact with the employer and student.

The funding was used to deliver workshops on a range of work-relevant topics such as career planning, CV writing and interview skills. It was also used to design 3 work-based assignments for the students to complete before and during their placements which were part of the Industry Experience module on the HND in Hospitality Management. Students were also helped to find placement opportunities and monitored whilst in their workplace.

Victoria Charles, Business Division staff member, who lead the project said: ‘The students would have struggled to find placements and in some or all cases may not have been able to find a placement as we did not have the funds to develop this element of the programme.

‘The students benefited by an increased understanding of the operational side of the industry which has reflected in improved assignment grades and class contributions in some students.’

The students are now completing their HNDs and have one semester left. Most of them will go on to the final year of a degree programme. John McDonald, Heathrow Sector Co-ordinator for the WL LLN, said: ‘We are delighted the WL LLN could support EHWLC and their students as it reinforces our commitment to progressing vocational learners into Higher Education.’

The majority of students have remained in part-time work after their placements ended at organisations such as The Berkley Hotel and Radisson Edwardian Hotels.

Victoria Charles has since been involved with other WL LLN funded projects.

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