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Addressing the Skills Shortage Problem of the South African Tourism and Hospitality Industry: An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the 2007/2008 SA Host Training Program in the Western Cape Province

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Abstract

The issue of skills shortage has been central to the discussions on economic growth and development in South Africa. Education and skills development are listed as one of the seven “Priorities for Intervention” constraints in the 2006 Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa. The objectives of this study were to establish the competency levels of tourism/hospitality industry employees on a list of nontechnical hospitality skills, assess the skills gap between employer expectations and employee performance on these skills, evaluate the impact of the 2007/2008 SA Host training program in reducing that gap and improving employee skills. The results showed an improvement in employee performance and a reduction in the skills gaps after the training.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, 325-G Percival Hall, Box 6125, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Kudzayi Chitiyo Maumbe

  2. Marketing Research and Intelligence, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, 7th Floor Waldorf Building, St. George’s Mall, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

    Laeticia van Wyk

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  1. Kudzayi Chitiyo Maumbe
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  2. Laeticia van Wyk
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Correspondence to Kudzayi Chitiyo Maumbe.

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Maumbe, K.C., van Wyk, L. Addressing the Skills Shortage Problem of the South African Tourism and Hospitality Industry: An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the 2007/2008 SA Host Training Program in the Western Cape Province. Urban Forum 22, 363–377 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-011-9115-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-011-9115-z

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