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Work-Integrated Education (WIE)

Practical work experience is critical for students to become all-round professionals who possess an appropriate level of operational experience and an understanding of industry operations and managerial decision making. For this reason, the SHTM incorporates Work-Integrated Education (WIE) as a mandatory component of all undergraduate programme curriculums.

WIE provides a work-based learning experience that takes place in an organisational context relevant to each student's future profession or to the development of generic skills that are valued in that profession. The focus is to help students develop a range of valuable abilities and to provide opportunities where they can apply theories to real-life situations.

 
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Objectives of Work-Integrated Education

Upon successful completion of their placements, students should have:

  • Gained experience in a relevant industry sector
  • Developed and acquired skills through practical work experience
  • Applied classroom theory in practical settings
  • Learned to appreciate industry practice and the importance of service quality
  • Developed people skills through interactions with peers, subordinates and supervisors
  • Developed positive attitudes as hospitality professionals
Programme Structure Objectives of Work-Integrated Education

Upon successful completion of their placements, students should have:

  • Gained experience in a relevant industry sector
  • Developed and acquired skills through practical work experience
  • Applied classroom theory in practical settings
  • Learned to appreciate industry practice and the importance of service quality
  • Developed people skills through interactions with peers, subordinates and supervisors
  • Developed positive attitudes as hospitality professionals
Programme Structure

The SHTM offers Bachelor of Science (Honours) Scheme in Hotel and Tourism Management, Senior Year Entry 2-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Hotel Management programme and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Tourism and Events Management programme.

To graduate, students must complete seven WIE training credits by satisfactorily completing the following two components:

  1. The subject Professional Development (one training credit), and
  2. Six months of placement on a full-time basis, or, in special circumstances, 960 hours of cumulative work experience on a part-time basis (six training credits).
Options Period Duration
Option One July (Year Two) to December (Year Three) Six-month placement
Option Two January (Year Three) to June (Year Three) Six-month placement
Option Three June (Year Two) to August (Year Three) 960 hours of cumulative work experience

All Hotel Management students will undertake industrial placement either in Hotel ICON & local hotel organisations or overseas in SHTM-approved hospitality organisations. All Tourism and Events Management students will undertake industrial placement either in local tourism or event organisations or in SHTM-approved hospitality organisations overseas.

A. Administration guidelines for six-month placement
  1. Once a placement offer is confirmed, the organisation must inform the SHTM and sign a training agreement with the student.
  2. The organisation providing the placement should appoint a supervisor to oversee the student's performance and look after the student's welfare.
  3. The supervisor must complete a WIE Assessment Report of the student's performance upon completion of the placement (refer to Document Library for sample report). 
  4. Students should be given the opportunity to acquire relevant operational skills and gain managerial exposure. The organisation providing the placement should provide a training schedule that identifies these operational and managerial training components.
  5. Students taking on WIE placement are covered by PolyU's Group Personal Accident (GPA) Insurance and the GPA Top Up Cover for WIE. This insurance covers registered university students against accidental death, permanent disablement/permanent total disablement, second degree/third degree burns, and accidental medical expenses.
  6. The SHTM will appoint a WIE Officer as mentor to provide students with advice and support, monitor progress, and handle any problems that may arise.
B. Administration guidelines for 960 hours of cumulative work experience
  1. The organisation providing the work experience has the responsibility to complete a Part-time Work Experience Record of the student's total working hours and performance upon completion of the part-time work.
  2. The organisation should provide insurance for the student to cover workplace accident and work injury claims.
Assessment

An appointed WIE Officer will assess each student placement, based on following:

  1. Learning Portfolio: Students are expected to develop a reasonable and achievable learning plan at the very early stage of the placement. Students should take the initiative to communicate with their school mentor for advice and make a 15-minute presentation that will illustrate their learning outcomes.
  2. Written Report: Students are expected to capture and reflect what they have learned during the placement, and relate classroom theories to their actual practice.
  3. Assessment Report: Before the placement comes to an end, the supervisor from the organisation providing the placement must meet with the student, discuss his or her performance, and complete a WIE Assessment Report. This report should consolidate all feedback from all staff members who have supervised the student.
Ensuring Effective Placements

The following guidelines are designed to help organisations offer effective placements:

Best Practices 

  1. Provide training plans and discuss them with the students.
  2. Arrange an orientation session for the students so they understand your organisation.
  3. Ensure that the students' work is monitored and assessed, and provide timely feedback to them.
  4. Ensure that channels are open for student feedback to the appropriate personnel within your organisation; encourage them to ask for advice and help.
  5. Include students in departmental staff meetings and planning sessions when feasible.
  6. Expose students to as many different departments, tasks, and roles as possible.
  7. Give students appropriate levels of responsibility for tasks and let them build up to more challenging roles as they grow in their jobs.
  8. Notify the SHTM of any undesirable attitude or ill-discipline on the part of the student.
  9. Notify the SHTM before any disciplinary dismissal is served on the student.
  10. Notify the SHTM immediately in the case of any accident or injury occurring to the student.

Situations to Avoid

  1. Do not treat students as cheap, unskilled labour or only give them tasks such as photocopying, handing out leaflets, delivering messages, or warehouse work.
  2. It is important to be aware of students' limitations and not expose them to situations beyond their abilities, such as handling customer complaints in their first few days.
  3. Avoid employing students in positions that require a high degree of confidentiality, as students are required to complete project reports and discuss their experiences with their peers and temporary work colleagues.
  4. Students should not be required to work substantial overtime.
Placement Arrangement

Students must attend the scheduled compulsory Professional Development classes in preparation for their placements. Those who do not fulfil the class requirements will not be permitted to undertake their placement. Students are expected to be in full attendance in the workplace according to the assigned placement schedule, except in the case of illness. They may not cut short or end their placement without prior approval from both the industry organisation and the SHTM.

Students are required to conform to the following: 

  1. The student shall inform the SHTM once he or she has confirmed a placement. The student cannot accept another placement offer without prior approval by the SHTM; otherwise, neither offer will be recognised.
  2. The student shall inform the SHTM of any prospective placement that he or she is seeking on his or her own, provide an outline of the required duties to the SHTM for prior approval, and ask the organisation to complete an assessment report on his or her performance.
  3. The student shall act responsibly in the placement he or she undertakes.
  4. The student shall represent the SHTM and PolyU in a positive and professional manner, and not discredit PolyU or the SHTM.
  5. The student shall liaise with the WIE Officer as and when required, and shall complete the student report in a timely manner.
  6. The student shall abide by the guidelines outlined in the placement classes.

As an alternative to placements in Hong Kong, students may want to undertake overseas placements. Students should decide on an overseas placement no later than March for placements commencing in July, and no later than July for placement commencing in January, to ensure both the students and the SHTM have adequate time to make the necessary arrangements. Students undertaking overseas placements are responsible for all costs associated with the placement, including visa application, medical insurance, travel and living expenses. Students are strongly advised to consult their parents or guardians when considering overseas placements.

 
Student Responsibilities in the Workplace
  1. Be punctual and report to your placement organisation at the time scheduled.
  2. If you are unable to report to work due to sickness or an emergency, notify your supervisor BEFORE your scheduled start time.
  3. Conform to your organisation's established dress code. If it does not have one, dress appropriately for your position. Make sure your clothes are clean and neatly pressed and your shoes are well-polished, keep your jewellery and make-up to a minimum, be sure to wear a smile.
  4. Maintain a positive attitude. Be courteous to and respectful of others in the organisation, including your supervisor, fellow workers, and the customers. Remember that the customers/guests will see you as an employee of the organisation.
  5. Your placement organisation may have developed a code of practice. Discuss this with your supervisor and make sure you understand the corporate culture or social rules that will affect your behaviour.
  6. Recognise that you are in a learning situation. Follow your supervisor's instructions to the best of your ability. If you are unsure of what is required or what you are being asked to do – ask for assistance and seek clarification!
  7. If you encounter serious problems in the organisation that you feel you cannot solve by yourself, contact your WIE Officer immediately to seek advice and assistance before making any decision.

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We are seeking the brightest students at the SHTM to mirror the management of Hotel ICON. Students who complete the programme will gain management experience and acquire the foundation necessary to work as a supervisor or manager upon graduation.

 

How It Works

Participants in this programme will undertake full-time training and internships in different departments at Hotel ICON for 11 months, in two phases: June - August 2024 & January to August 2025.

 

Who Qualifies

This programme is open to current Year-2 BSc programme students at the SHTM.

 

How To Apply

Students who are interested in the programme should complete the application form and return it to Ms Adelaide Lau, together with a resume and photo, on or before 31 October 2023.  

Please see the programme leaflet for more information. 

 

Enquiries

Ms Adelaide Lau

Executive Officer

Office: Room TH832

Phone: +852 3400-2646
Fax: +852 2356-1390
Email:
Work Integrated Education

SHTM students are privileged to enjoy on-the-job training at Hotel ICON. This is a structured and measurable learning experience for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Scheme in Hotel and Tourism Management, Senior Year Entry 2-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Hotel Management programme and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Tourism and Events Management programme. The focus of this training is on helping students develop a range of valuable generic abilities and apply theoretical learning to a real-life hotel situation through the provision of work-based learning.

 
Elite Management Programme

The brightest and most promising students within the SHTM have the chance to mirror the management of Hotel ICON. Students who complete the programme will gain management experience and acquire the foundation necessary to work as hotel supervisors or managers upon graduation.

 
Management Practice Programme

SHTM Master of Science (MSc) students are also provided with the opportunity to undertake internships at Hotel ICON. This gives them a platform where they can apply theoretical learning in a practical setting and develop themselves with professional competence.

Ms Adelaide Lau

Phone: +852 3400-2646
Fax: +852 2356-1390
Email:

 

Ms Christine Wong

Phone: +852 3400-2157
Fax: +852 2362-9362
Email: 

 

For general enquiries, please contact our General Office. 

School of Hotel and Tourism Management The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
17 Science Museum Road, TST East, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Phone: +852 3400-2200
Fax: +852 2362-9362
Email:

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