Work-integrated learning experiences have been redesigned to include a remote internship programme at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH) this academic year.

At STH, practical work experience is necessary to complete a qualification. But this academic year, students were not able to work at lodges and hotels due to the ongoing national lockdown, said Work Integrated Learning Co-ordinator at STH, Tracy Daniels.

During a webinar hosted by UJ, Daniels explained that a remote internship programme had been established to fill the gap. “We asked industry members to put their hands up as mentors for the students and allowed people to take on one or more students for six months.”

Throughout the duration of the programme, mentors were asked to provide the learners with tasks and to meet with them regularly via video chat.

Daniels said while most of the industry was dealing with lockdown, it was tricky to ask people to be mentors. However, there had been significant buy-in from the industry.

“This programme has given our industry partners an opportunity to groom potential future employees, and has reinforced the idea that we need to produce a more resilient graduate.”

The remote internships have also been encouraging for learners. “They’ve been feeling so despondent, this has been motivational for them,” said Daniels.

This tied in with what fellow webinar panellist and Professor of Tourism Employment from the University of Strathclyde, Tom Baum, said regarding the changes needed in tertiary education in the industry.

“We need radical changes to the curriculum. We want more critically thinking graduates who will ultimately be more rewarding to work with.”

Daniels said UJ was definitely considering keeping on aspects of the remote internship programme for years to come as now was the time to embrace what technology could do. “We need to remind students that technology will connect people rather than replace jobs.”