Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda
This is a persistent problem of skill mismatch between graduates and employers’ needs in the Ugandan hospitality industry, resulting in skill deficits that hamper employability and industry advancement. Identifying the causes of these skill gaps is the aim of this study, together with establishing r...
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| Language: | English |
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African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management
2025
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2950 |
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| author | Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba Michael Murimi, Njue |
| author_facet | Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba Michael Murimi, Njue |
| author_sort | Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba |
| collection | KAB-DR |
| description | This is a persistent problem of skill mismatch between graduates and employers’ needs in the Ugandan hospitality industry, resulting in skill deficits that hamper employability and industry advancement. Identifying the causes of these skill gaps is the aim of this study, together with establishing recommendations to narrow the gap existing between hospitality education and the industry. The study adopted the qualitative case study research design and sampled 26 respondents from recent hospitality graduates and employers, educators or trainers, and policymakers in Kabale District, Uganda. The findings were encoded through thematic analysis. Theoretical orientation is scant with practical and interpersonal skills. Some employers also reported a concern that more attention should be paid to enhancing the practical readiness of graduates at workplaces and that there should be an increased dialog between educational institutions and employers in the hospitality sector. According to the results of the study, there is a need for a closer connection between curricula and industry demands, interconnecting the abilities needed for practical work and soft skills. Recommendations include increasing communication between teachers and supervisors from industry, enhancing internship programs, and including practical aspects. It is recommended that such collaborations be promoted through policy and funding to guarantee the appropriate match of education to the labor market requirements. These steps are relevant for reducing the existing skill gap and making graduates fit for employment opportunities in the industry. |
| format | Article |
| id | oai:null:20.500.12493-2950 |
| institution | KAB-DR |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management |
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| spelling | oai:null:20.500.12493-29502025-10-01T00:00:45Z Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba Michael Murimi, Njue Graduates Skills Gap Industry Needs Education Outcomes Curriculum Alignments This is a persistent problem of skill mismatch between graduates and employers’ needs in the Ugandan hospitality industry, resulting in skill deficits that hamper employability and industry advancement. Identifying the causes of these skill gaps is the aim of this study, together with establishing recommendations to narrow the gap existing between hospitality education and the industry. The study adopted the qualitative case study research design and sampled 26 respondents from recent hospitality graduates and employers, educators or trainers, and policymakers in Kabale District, Uganda. The findings were encoded through thematic analysis. Theoretical orientation is scant with practical and interpersonal skills. Some employers also reported a concern that more attention should be paid to enhancing the practical readiness of graduates at workplaces and that there should be an increased dialog between educational institutions and employers in the hospitality sector. According to the results of the study, there is a need for a closer connection between curricula and industry demands, interconnecting the abilities needed for practical work and soft skills. Recommendations include increasing communication between teachers and supervisors from industry, enhancing internship programs, and including practical aspects. It is recommended that such collaborations be promoted through policy and funding to guarantee the appropriate match of education to the labor market requirements. These steps are relevant for reducing the existing skill gap and making graduates fit for employment opportunities in the industry. 2025-09-30T16:54:14Z 2025-09-30T16:54:14Z 2024 Article Tushabe, S. B. & Murimi, N. M. (2024). “Bridging the Skill Gaps”: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda. African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 3(1), 201-213. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajthm.3.1.2362 2790-9611 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2950 en Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ application/pdf African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management |
| spellingShingle | Graduates Skills Gap Industry Needs Education Outcomes Curriculum Alignments Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba Michael Murimi, Njue Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title | Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title_full | Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title_short | Bridging the Skill Gaps: Analyzing the Mismatch between Hospitality Education and Industry Needs in Uganda |
| title_sort | bridging the skill gaps analyzing the mismatch between hospitality education and industry needs in uganda |
| topic | Graduates Skills Gap Industry Needs Education Outcomes Curriculum Alignments |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2950 |
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