250 students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism of the Algarve (EHTA), in Faro, began to intern, reinforcing the teams of restaurants and hotels, at a time when workers in these sectors have been lacking.
Hotel accommodation, tourism, cuisine, pastry, bar and restaurant are the areas in which companies in the sector were reinforced with the beginning of the curricular internship of these students.
With a duration of more than three months, the internships in both level 5 courses (post-secondary education) and level 4 courses (professional courses, post-9th year) «integrate students into a real work context», says the EHTA.
Elsa Guerreiro, Human Resources Director at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf & Resort, recognizes the importance of these elements, especially at this time when a summer of full tourist recovery is expected.
«We have EHTA students in the areas of Reception, Entertainment, Kitchen and Restaurant/Bar and they are an asset to our operation. We have always received good elements, who come well prepared. However, it is important that we, entities, are aware that the students are in an internship that are here in training to apply the knowledge acquired in class », he says.
For students, it is their first “dive” into the job market.
Of the 250 students who started the internship period, most joined the teams of entities in the Algarve, but others chose to carry out their internships in other areas of the country.
Ludimila Rodrigues, Brazilian and student of the Hotel Management and Accommodation 2nd semester, is starting her internship at a Rural Tourism unit, near Monsaraz.
«I want to finally put into practice all the knowledge I have achieved so far. As I chose Alentejo, I am very curious to know how Rural Tourism is actually applied and to understand this new luxury closely, which I believe is one of the biggest trends in the market», highlights the Accommodation student.
Integrated in the Front Office team of one of the most prestigious hotel chains in Madeira, Tomás Alexandre, from the 3rd year Hotel Accommodation Technician course, feels that he is making a difference.
“I feel that I am an asset. Through the training acquired over 3 years at the school, plus the information I received as soon as I arrived, I can effectively help the team to perform better and faster”, she says.
According to the Study of Professional Integration 2021, carried out by the Training Directorate of Turismo de Portugal, the Professional Integration Rate of students, 6 months after training, rose to 74%, which corresponds to a recovery of 50% compared to 2020 .Of these 74% of employees, 89% work in Tourism.
Moreover, since April 1st, the application phase for national students has taken place. Of the 144 vacancies available at the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Algarve, 80% are already filled with candidates who will now formalize their registration.
According to Paula Vicente, director of the Paula Vicente School of Hotel Management and Tourism, «we are in a transition phase, in which our current students integrate the sector through the experience provided by the curricular internships».
«On the other hand, it is the beginning of a new academic cycle, with the recruitment of candidates for the training areas of Hospitality, Restaurants and Tourism with a view to the new academic year», he adds.
«Good learning in a real work context is a fundamental influence on the enthusiasm with which future students face curricular internships and their professional future. That is why it is essential to establish a close relationship with companies that, through the offer of curricular internships, complement the knowledge and techniques of our students», he concludes.
Applications to the Escolas do Turismo de Portugal will remain open, for national candidates who want to enter courses at level 4 and 5.
Comments