Merging generic employability skills in a tourism degree

Abstract EN

: This study explores and analyzes the views of, and effects on, students of a project that integrated the development of employability competencies within the small group classes of two compulsory subjects (Tourism Economics) of the first year and (Tourism Statistics) of the second year of a BS Tourism Degree at the College of Tourism and Archaeology, Omar Al-Mukhtar University in Libya.

The study aimed to build, deliver and evaluate course materials designed to encourage the development of a broad range of employability skills: skills needed for life-long learning and a successful business career.

By analyzing students' and graduates' opinions gathered from a series of two focus groups spread throughout the first semester, five prominent generic skill areas of interest were identified and further analysis brought to light on how to achieve students' development of employability and their subject learning.

The analysis suggests the urgent need to look at employability development as obligatory and very essential element in the Libyan higher education quality assurance system to providing a successful education experience not only at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, but at all Libyan Universities.