ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ONE YEAR SIWES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS PRACTICAL SKILLS IN HMT DEPARTMENT.

ABSTRACT Study investigates the impact of the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on the development of practical skills among students in the Hospitality Management and Tourism (HMT) program. The objectives were to examine how SIWES contributes to students' practical knowledge, identify challenges faced during industrial training, assess the effectiveness of industry supervisors, evaluate students’ preparedness for the labour market, and suggest strategies to enhance the SIWES experience. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 90 HMT students who had completed their SIWES. The results revealed that SIWES significantly improves students’ practical skills and boosts their confidence in joining the workforce. However, the study also identified key challenges such as inadequate supervision, poor training facilities, and financial constraints. While many industry supervisors were found to be effective, a notable portion of students reported insufficient mentoring. The study concludes that SIWES remains a vital component of vocational training in hospitality education, although it requires improved supervision, stronger institutional collaboration, and better support mechanisms. Recommendations were made to enhance the implementation of SIWES for future student cohorts.