Abstract:

With the growth of tourism activity observed in recent years, the demand for higher education in Hospitality Management has increased, having contributed to the integration of a greater number of graduates in the labour market.

In this research, the (dis)articulation between polytechnic higher education and the hospitality management labour market is analysed, comparing the competencies and career paths of graduates in this area.

The overall aim unfolds in the characterization and understanding of the competencies that Hospitality Management graduates have in order to exercise their professional duties and fully realise their career integration paths. As a result, in addition to discussing the current theoretical framework for Hospitality Management, this empirical study also analyses the different competencies required of graduates and their learning contexts, crosscutting them with the characteristics of the labour market in hospitality and the key professional integration dimensions within this field.

Based on the interpretative paradigm, authors adopted a mixed approach, having combined a literature review with semi-structured interviews with Degree’s Directors from Higher Education Institutions and representatives from the labour market, and a questionnaire applied to Hospitality Management graduates. The ensuing data was then processed by resorting to both content and statistical analysis.

The results demonstrate the relevance of internships as contexts of training and professional integration, as well as the technical and transversal competencies in which graduates feel more confident, not always concurring with what employers require or those that are promoted by the educational/training system.

Research shows that the articulation between the education/training system and the labour market has gaps at various levels, demonstrating that a dialogue between these scopes is a pressing need. Moreover, internships were considered to be paramount for future graduates’ career paths, with findings paving the way for future research focussing on these particular contexts.

Keywords:

Education/Training, Polytechnic Higher Education, Hospitality Management, Competencies.