SPECIAL REPORTHOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | May 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 05 43
career aspirations, having a broad
education across hospitality theory
and applied concepts will lead to
some great ideas. Also being able to
articulate different perspectives on
existing practices can add value to the
individual and business alike.
H: THE LACK OF TIME IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR
THOSE WORKING IN HOSPITALITY YET WISHING TO
PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION. WHAT ADVICE WOULD
YOU OFFER SUCH PEOPLE?
OT: Carving out time to invest in your
own knowledge should be a personal
principle. You can always find time to
research, study and keep yourself well-
informed. Plan that time into your diary
as an essential ‘must-do’ not a ‘nice to do’.
CD: A plethora of online or blended
learning courses exist which, to
varying degrees, place the onus of
learning and time management in the
student’s hands. Students are able to
fit learning around busy professional
and personal lives. As hospitality is
centred on people and guests, many
students prefer the networking and
connections gained whilst studying in
a classroom environment.
Several institutions also offer
degrees which are structured around
the nature of the hospitality industry;
block courses in evenings two or three
days a week. These are ideal options
for those who are working, would like
to learn more, but prefer the more
face-to-face approach to education.
The future is moving towards more
customised learning through online
platforms and apps which can provide
better activities and engagement
when is most convenient for students.
Regardless of the approach adopted,
it will take time and energy. Supervisors
and managers should be aware of the
commitment that is needed, but still
encourage and support their staff to
undertake such studies. The work
students do towards their studies can
directly and immediately help them in
the workplace, so the implementation
of programmes to help students
bring their education into the work
environment would be of benefit to both the
student and the business. Many courses are
setting assessments which require students
to solve a real-life work related challenge
or devise a new concept with the business
benefitting from the result. This raises a
question - could hotel companies offer their
employees a means to apply their education
to better their work?H: SHOULD FINANCIAL ABILITY BE SEEN AS AN OBSTACLE
STANDING IN THE WAY OF THOSE WISHING TO STUDY?OT: At Dubai College of Tourism, we believe
it should not. Our courses are deliberately
priced to be accessible. We also believe that
employers have a responsibility to ensure
that their teams are as knowledgeable and as
resourceful as possible. That’s why we provide
the online training courses such as Dubai
Way, Inclusive Service, Chinese Traveller
Standards and Sustainable Tourism.
CD: There should not be any obstacle to
an individual wishing to study, least of all
finances. Education is designed to help
people better themselves, their company,
and their society. Education providers
needs to concentrate on allowing cost-
effective access to learning, offer flexibilitywith learning delivery and ensure
they offer the highest level of value.
Companies in-turn should not
reduce budget or limit the ability
for employees to further their
education. Both education providers
and companies can devise ways of
reducing the financial impact on
the learner though sponsorship or
scholarship.H: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO SOMEBODY
WORKING IN THE HOTEL SECTOR WHO SEES TIME AND
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT AS OBSTACLES TO ENROLLING
ON A COURSE?SA: I would recommend hotel HR
managers register their employees
in the DCT Dubai Way Programme
as it trains you to know more about
hospitality sector. Dubai Way also
has other programmes such as
Sustainable Tourism and Chinese
Traveler Standards which helps you
communicate better with the customers.
However if someone has more time they
can also consider enrolling at Dubai
College of Tourism in a hospitality or
tourism programme.