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By Nathan Andrews, Author & Hospitality Consultant
There has been a flurry of debate recently on almost all the industry chat groups about the relevance of the IHMs in today’s context with industry stalwarts weighing in on both sides. The division is stark. Many site the IHMs contribution to the growth of the industry and the seminal influence some of them have had on the careers of many contemporary senior leaders.
Others site the lack of current industry relevance with some seeking change and others insisting that their model of education has served its time and needs to completely be replaced, though with what is also under debate.
For the record, I am not an alumnus of any IHM so have no first-hand experience of the pedagogy and I also have close and respected friends on both sides of the debate, so perhaps I should not be wading into the conversation. On the other hand, I have been involved in hospitality education from almost the inception of my career and continue to see up close the effects both positive and negative of the system on the current graduates.
What is indisputable is the fact that the industry is losing its appeal to new entrants. The demand that used to be seen for the IHMs and non-IHM institutions has dropped dramatically. Perhaps more noticeably in the case of the IHMs, which begs the question why? Attrition among those who do join is also high, and over 50% of graduates from hospitality colleges do not join the industry, Obviously, the industry is not coming across as attractive enough in comparison to the myriad other options.
This is something that needs introspection at all levels, but as the institutions are the first point of contact, perhaps it needs to start there. I think it is safe to say that broadly the industry does not meet the aspirations and work habits of Gen Z and Y, Old hands will blame the new joiners, but it cannot be all one-sided. The world is changing and the attitude of our staff needs to change as well.
How can we train for and accommodate the gig economy? Does the curriculum address the latent entrepreneur in so many young adults today? Is it time for a more holistic approach to learning and development? Generally, our Indigenous approach to education has been predominantly domain-based, and other learning streams have changed and are changing their approach, maybe the need of the hour is to bring in these changes in our industry as well.
To sum up, I would suggest that we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater, there is much-accumulated wisdom in the system, accompanied unfortunately also by much that is no longer relevant. Let us wisely seek to sift the wheat from the chaff and create learning platforms that will serve the next generation of leaders well.
