Five ways ITC brings real-world learning to the classroom

Posted on 30/04/2019 by Jess O'Connor

At ITC, we believe for students to thrive in the tourism industry, they need to learn from more than just textbooks.

That’s why we pride ourselves on bringing ‘real-world learning’ to the classroom.

“The tourism industry is about people, first and foremost,” says ITC Marketing Manager Mel Jenkins.

“We make sure our students have ample opportunity to apply what they’re learning in the classroom in real-world situations, so they know how to provide stellar customer service when they graduate.”

Here are five examples of how we provide real-world learning to all our students.

1. Employment consultants

We have two full-time employment consultants whose job is to help students (past and present) find work in the industry. They run CV workshops, assist with interview preparation, and provide support, encouragement and HR advice – among other key tasks. They serve as a bridge between students and the industry, helping students navigate the real-world of employment and advance their career.

2. Work experience

Most of our students get the opportunity to go on work experience (if their grades and attendance are up to scratch). Work experience is by far one of the best ways to gain confidence working out in the industry and meet with potential employers. We’ve lost count of the number of our students who have been hired after doing work experience – so many return from work experience with a full-time job lined up for when they graduate.

3. Industry speakers

We regularly invite industry speakers to come in to class and speak directly with our students. Just last month, Richard Griffiths from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) spoke to students at our Botany Campus. He’s currently the General Manager of Human Resources at MBIE and has previously held senior management roles at Air New Zealand. He shared a wealth of knowledge with our students, who all went home knowing far more about the industry than they could have ever learned from a textbook.

4. Career expos

Once or twice a year, we hold career expos, where about a dozen employers come into College, set up a stand and promote their business. Students can then ‘browse’ the amazing variety of businesses available and learn about different elements of the tourism industry – from adventure tourism to aviation to tour guiding and everything in between. It’s a great way for students to gain more knowledge about working in the industry, and it’s also a way for employers to keep an eye out for possible workers.

5. Student events

Last, but definitely not least, we hold some amazing student events every year that encourage students to get out of their comfort zone and practice their customer service skills. For example, we hold Global Wednesday, where every classroom is assigned a country and responsible for teaching the rest of the College about that country through roleplay, cooking, and other interactive activities. These events help students apply real-world learning in a fun, supported environment, which is a huge confidence boost.

These are just some of the many ways we bring real-world learning to the classroom. Keen to learn more? Get in touch to book a campus tour or pop in during one of our upcoming Open Days.

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