Enhancing the learning and employability of hospitality graduates in China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine how experiential learning (EL) activities influence the employability skills of entry-level hotel employees/graduates and their resulting learning satisfaction. Four hypotheses pertaining to the constructs of EL, employability skills and learning satisfaction were developed on the basis of a comprehensive literature review. The results of 450 valid questionnaires were tested within the proposed structural model using AMOS, showing EL to be positively associated with employability skills and learning satisfaction. Further, employability skills were found to mediate the relationship between EL and graduate learning satisfaction. The study's findings will benefit the career development of hospitality graduates and the validation of universities’ hospitality curricula.