Experiences of university hospitality students on work related learning during the time of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption on education systems including Work Related Learning (WRL) due to the accompanying restrictions. Similarly, the hospitality industry was severely affected by the pandemic because it is highly dependent on people travelling and being physically present, as opposed to other industries that permit serving clients remotely. Therefore, this study is premised on the peculiar effects that the pandemic had on hospitality students on WRL at two state universities in Zimbabwe. The study utilised a qualitative research approach guided by a phenomenological design. The participants of the study were twenty hospitality students chosen using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings of the study show that students’ WRL was adversely affected by the COVID-19 induced lockdown restrictions. Students faced various challenges which included difficulties in securing work placements and those who were able to acquire placement faced short periods of learning at the workplace coupled with insufficient supervision by employers and academic supervisors. The study concluded that the quality of WRL had declined, hindering the attainment of its goals. The recommendations are for interventions to be crafted by universities together with other critical stakeholders to ensure that WRL remains relevant and effective during and post the pandemic.