Industrial Placement


Year 3 Semester 2: Industrial Placement
Coordinator: Mr. Leon van Achterbergh MBA
Study load: 840 hours (15% to be reserved for the project)
SA Credits: 84
Entry level: Successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 of the curriculum.
Module content:
The industrial placement provides a way for the student to
experience the major field of study prior to graduation. It is an
excellent way to build on the knowledge and skills gained
during the first 2.5 years of the curriculum. During this period
the competencies as outlined in the domain competences and
industrial placement objectives are assessed. Internships
provide the student with a chance to put theory into practice and
to gain “hands-on” experience that will be of benefit in a
managerial role once he has graduated. The student is able to
discover the complexity of real life situations, but also to
appreciate the effect of his own behaviour and work.
Further, it is a strategic avenue for the student to becoming
employed by the company of his choice following graduation.
The industrial placement also enables the student to establish an
industry network.
The 23-week internship is spent in leading hotel organisations
or related organisations around the world.
During the placement, the student will complete a project
commissioned by the host company. For the project, the student
will need to use the research skills he has developed during the
writing of the dissertation in the third year. The project should
include a problem statement, literature research, a description of
the methods used and conclusions and recommendations for the
company. At the end of the placement, a presentation of the
project will be given for the Management of the host company.
The projects provide additional information for placement
mentors and lecturers on trends and developments in the
industry which can be used in updating and revising the curriculum.
Module: After completing the industrial placement, the student is able to:
objectives:
  1. Contribute to creating the hospitality experience within the organisational concept of the host company, in such a way that the process (at least) lives up to the wishes and expectations of (potential) guests.
  2. Follow changes and trends in the external environment and start the development of relations, networks and chains.
  3. Analyse the policy issues that are related to the project(s) commissioned by the host company, translate these issues into objectives and give recommendations for decision making.
  4. Implement the aspects of Human Resource Management that are relevant for the function (e.g. compliance with working conditions, training, appraisals, prevention of absenteeism, motivation of employees etc.)
  5. Independently improvise and anticipate in different situations, analysing the company or organisational processes that are at the base of these situations and come forward with ideas to improve these processes within the host company.
  6. Seek all relevant information when trying to understand problems or issues understand and draw logical and correct inferences from a wide range of business-related written and numerical information.
  7. Prepare for and deal with changes inside the organisation, maintaining a flexible and positive attitude. If applicable, implement change processes inherent to the project commissioned by the host company and guide this change process.
  8. Contribute to the development of new products and services in an independent and enterprising way.
  9. Demonstrate effective social competencies in dealing with guests, colleagues, subordinates, managers and other stakeholders.
  10. Communicate effectively (oral and written) at all levels in the common business language.
  11. To steer and regulate personal development with regard to learning, result-oriented work, taking initiative, operating independently and flexibly in the various situations that occur during the industrial placement.
  12. Apply the universal core values in own daily (operational management) behaviour and to entrepreneurial action in the hospitality industry.
  13. Effectively identify and handle cultural differences within an (inter)national team.

Educational methods: Traineeship
Assessment: Completing traineeship, introductory meeting, four progress
reports and one final report, competence assessments by host
company, evaluation placement period. The project proposal is
approved by the placement company, the Stenden SA
placement mentor and a second assessor. The final project is
graded by the company but the final grading rests with the
placement mentor and 2nd assessor.