Students taking up hospitality management courses at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) can now look forward to an internship program with any among the 65 establishments under the Negros Oriental Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association (NOHRRA) Inc.
This development came after the state university partnered with NOHRRA to push for the advancement of the hospitality industry in the province.
NORSU vice president for administration and finance, Dr. Noel Marjon Yasi, said this partnership will help bridge the knowledge and skills gap between the industry and the future workforce.
“This is a welcome partnership. Right now, we are trying to build up and connect the link. What are the needs of the industry and what competencies do they still need. Then, we can help by conducting trainings,” said Yasi.
He added the collaboration between NORSU and NOHRRA will bring with it many advantages for both the students and the industry.
“Partnering with NOHRRA has several advantages. Foremost is the experiential learning opportunities. Even if the academe does all efforts to simulate what you have in your restaurants and hotels, nothing can replace actual experience,” he opined.
He is hopeful that the partnership will lead to job opportunities for their future graduates in local hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
Meanwhile, NOHRRA president Royani Dy is optimistic that the partnership will help address the need for skilled personnel by the local hotel, resort, and restaurant owners.
NORSU currently deploys approximately 300 interns for restaurants and 200 for hotels.
“We really need those numbers. Some hotels accept as many as 40 on-the-job trainees, while we have restaurants that accept around 80. So, it’s a win-win situation for us,” said Dy.
The collaboration will likewise grant member establishments of NOHRRA access to trainings in related fields or industries such as culinary arts, barista training, and restaurant and hotel servicing, among others, which will be facilitated by NORSU.
“It helps our members a lot in terms of training, which we are very thankful for, because the training for our members will be free,” Dy said.
The NOHRRA president believes the partnership will contribute to leveling the standards in the local hospitality industry and hospitality education in the province.
The agreement to deploy NORSU interns to NOHRRA member-establishments will start this year.
Each student will have to render a maximum of 600 hours of internship in the establishment where they are accepted.
The agreement covers students from all campuses of NORSU in Dumaguete City, Bais City, Bayawan-Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, Siaton, Mabinay, and Guihulngan City. | NWI
