HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT GRADUATE CERTIFICATION AND EMPLOYABILITY IN LOKOJA, KOGI STATE CAPITAL CITY, NIGERIA SUNDAY MUSA ADAMA (MBA) T129F/33554/2014 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OFTHE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE INHOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY MARCH, 2017 ii iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the glory of Almighty God and to the benefit of mankind most especially the present and aspiring hospitality management professionals. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study would not have succeeded without valuable contributions from a number of persons and institutions. I am highly indebted to Dr Alice Ondigi and Dr. Rahab Mugambi who tirelessly and thoroughly guided me through the research work in their capacities as 1st and 2nd Supervisor respectively. I appreciate the contributions of all the academic and non-academic staff of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Kenyatta University, Nairobi to mention but a few: Dr R. Khayiya; Dr C. Muringi; Dr M. Mutungi; Dr A. Kariuki; Dr M. Miricho; Dr R. Mutinda; Dr V. Maranga; Dr M. Wandolo; Dr E. Munyiri; Dr S. Maingi; Dr P. Chege; Barrister F. Kaburu; Ms T. Kinuthia; Ms J. Bitok: Ms B. Kamau; Mr M. Sisinio; Mr E. Ndubi and Ms C. Mutua towards the successful completion of my MSc education at the university. To Pastor Ali Haruna and family I am highly indebted for the love and tremendous supports they gave me towards my study in Kenya I am equally grateful to the staff and students of the departments of Hospitality and Tourism Management of Federal Polytechnics in Idah, Auchi and Bida for assisting me greatly during the data collection. The management and staff of the hospitality outfits and boards that served as respondents to this study are equally appreciated. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. DEDICATION ......................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. viii LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................. ix OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................ xi ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study........................................................................................ 1 1.2 Problem Statement ................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................. 8 1.4 Objectives of the Study: ......................................................................................... 8 1.5 Research Hypotheses ............................................................................................. 9 1.6 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................... 10 1.7 Delimitation/Scope of the Study: ......................................................................... 10 1.8 Limitations of the Study....................................................................................... 11 1. 9 The Study Assumptions ....................................................................................... 12 1.10 Conceptual Frameworks ...................................................................................... 13 1.10.1 Assessment of Training Facilities and Training for Employability ................ 14 1.10.2 Assessment of Curriculum for Hospitality Higher Education ........................ 15 1.10.3 Career Selection/Guidance/Interest of the Students ....................................... 15 1.10.4 Admission Exercise ..................................................................................... 16 1.10.5 Labour force skill preference by HTM Employers of Labour ........................ 16 1.10.6 Gender Factor .............................................................................................. 16 1.10.7 Employment Challenges .............................................................................. 17 1.10.8 Interventions of Government and NBTE ...................................................... 17 1.10.9 Hospitality Management Graduate Employability........................................ 18 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................... 19 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 19 2.2 Hospitality Education at Higher Level ................................................................. 20 2.3 Certification/Accreditation of HTM Graduate Programme ................................... 21 vi 2.4 Certification of Hospitality Management Graduates ............................................. 23 2.5 Curriculum and Hospitality Employment ............................................................. 24 2.6 Training/Facilities for Hospitality Education ........................................................ 26 2.7 Labour force Skill Preference and Perception. ...................................................... 27 2.8 Gender Factor ...................................................................................................... 29 2.9 Employability/Employment Challenges ............................................................... 30 2.10 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 31 2.11 Summary of Literature Gaps ................................................................................ 33 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ............. 35 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 35 3.2 Research Design .................................................................................................. 35 3.3 The Study Area .................................................................................................... 37 3.4 Target Population ................................................................................................ 40 3.5 Sampling Techniques ........................................................................................... 41 3.6 Sampling Size ...................................................................................................... 42 3.7 Research Instruments ........................................................................................... 43 3.8 Pre-Testing .......................................................................................................... 43 3.9 Validity and Reliability ........................................................................................ 43 3.10 Data Collection Technique ................................................................................... 44 3.11 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 45 3.12 Logical/Ethical Consideration .............................................................................. 47 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .......................................... 48 4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 48 4.2 Overview of the Study ......................................................................................... 48 4.2.1Response Rate ..................................................................................................... 48 4.2.2 Gender Distribution ............................................................................................ 49 4.2.3 Career Influence ................................................................................................. 49 4.3 Descriptive Analysis and Presentation of Data ..................................................... 51 4.3.1 Certification and Employability of HTM Graduates ............................................ 51 4.3.2 Labour Preference .............................................................................................. 55 4.3.3 Gender Factor ..................................................................................................... 57 4.3.4 HTM Graduate Employment Challenges ............................................................. 59 4.4 Hypotheses Testing, Reporting ............................................................................ 67 4.4.1 Hypothesis 1 (H01): ............................................................................................ 67 vii 4.4.2Hypothesis 2 (H02):............................................................................................. 72 4.4.3Hypothesis 3 (H03):............................................................................................. 74 4.4.4 Hypothesis 4 (Ho4): ...........................................................................................