Work integrated learning for tertiary hospitality education

![CDATA[Contemporary discussions of graduate employability bemoan the lack of general job skills and practical industryspecific competence amongst Hospitality graduates. This paper examines the theoretical contribution of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) within the context of service industries. The objective is to demonstrate the practical implications of WIL to enhancement of Hospitality graduate attributes and employability. This study uses a deductive approach with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to collect primary research. The initial stage commenced with quantitative surveys of the three sample groups: hospitality graduates, educators and employers/managers. Snowball and networking techniques were employed to reach the respondents with an online survey. A response rate of 26% was achieved and SPSS was used to analyse the data. The second qualitative phase of the research using focus groups will further inform the study and provide data and methodological triangulation. Preliminary analysis of the data supports the hypothesis that benefits of WIL are transferable to hospitality, however, more attention to the development and execution of WIL is necessary for stakeholders to realise these benefits and to deliver “employable” graduates. With a focus on integrating practical, relevant and reflective industry experience within tertiary curriculum, WIL has the potential to create job ready “employable” Hospitality graduates.]]