Work Based Learning Report: Travel and Tourism Industry Insights

This report delves into the realm of work-based learning, specifically focusing on industry experience within the travel and tourism sector. It begins with an introduction to the concept, emphasizing its importance for gaining industry insights. The report then explores the process of researching and evaluating potential organizations, such as Thomas Cook and Hilton Hotels, for work placements. It discusses the negotiation process with supervisors, business constraints, and the prioritization of tasks for an HR manager. Furthermore, it outlines a detailed plan for gaining experience, including actions to improve communication, technical, and socializing skills. The report also analyzes the benefits of work-based learning for both the organization and the learner, highlighting aspects such as increased productivity, improved procedures, and cost-saving measures. Finally, it reflects on the progress made, evaluates the quality of performance, analyzes the learning outcomes, and offers recommendations for enhancing future experiences. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and reinforces the value of work-based learning in the professional development of an HR manager within the travel and tourism industry.

Work Based Learning

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Research and evaluate suitable organizations that could provide industry experience.........1
1.2 Negotiating with work and academic supervisors a proposal for work experience..............2
1.3 Business constraints on work experience..............................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Prioritizing the tasks and responsibilities involved in work based experience......................3
2.2 Producing a plan for work experience...................................................................................4
2.3 Analyzing the benefits for the proposed activities to the business and the learner...............5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Understand the specified requirements of placement conforming to all related codes of
practice.........................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Producing systematic record of challenges work experience gained by research,
observation and survey................................................................................................................6
3.3 Revise the initial plan and reflect the further changes to be made after observation............7
3.4 Make suggestions for improvements and review these with supervisors..............................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Reflect and monitor and record the progress against original proposal................................8
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance...........................................................................8
4.3 Analyzing the learning which had taken place during the work experience.........................9
4.4 Recommendations for enhancing experience........................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Work based learning is one of the essential tasks for any individual which enables to gain
industry experience and be able to perform the similar tasks in near future. It helps an individual
in gaining knowledge and experience which is required when working in a firm. According to
the scenario, this report is based on the work based experience that is gained by an individual for
an organization. It produces a research related to expertise provided by travel and tourism
industry to individuals. Further it evaluates the quality performance of individuals at work place.
TASK 1
1.1 Research and evaluate suitable organizations that could provide industry experience
In this task, I have to research plus evaluate the travel and tourism industry that provide
work placement for learning and gaining knowledge. Some of the industries which I have chosen
for placement are Thomas Cook, Hilton hotel and Exodus.
Thomas Cook is the best British travel company that was listed on London Stock
Exchange (Boud and Solomon, 2001). The company provides online booking through the
website named as Hotels4U.com. With that, they also provide and upload online videos for
Thomas Cook, from this they are trying to develop curiosity among people about its travelling
plans. In travel and tourism sector, accommodation business is well developed. They make
available opportunities for work based experience to those who are interested in taking
experience in service industry (Dolmans and et. al., 2001). Here, placements are related to
telephone operators, in-charge of reservation, associates for business centre, concierge
department etc.
Another is Hilton hotel and resorts which is an international chain of service hotels. This
company emphasizes on both leisure and business travel. Different people from various
backgrounds prefer this hotel as the restaurants and fast foods options are well developed. In this
sector, work based experience can be gained for cashier and handling accounts, waiter, serving
the banquet and hosting (Raelin, 2000).
From above analysis, the preferred job for gaining work based experience will be as HR
manager.
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1.2 Negotiating with work and academic supervisors a proposal for work experience
I am applying for the position of HR manager in Thomas Cook industry. The company
required a professional with experience as an HR executive. I applied for this job as I am Post
graduate in MBA. In addition, applying for this position will be a very good start for my
academic progress and it will also help me in gaining experience and industrial insight to work
with travel organization. Here, variety of tour arrangements have to be done by me which will
further enable me to understand the factors that are responsible for customer satisfaction (Raelin,
2008). Also with that, the ways in which the company can retain and gain customer loyalty for
the firm will be apprehended by me.
I found this job through internet where the notice for recruitment in Thomas Cook was
mentioned. The job description was for HR executive with experience of 0 to 2 years. However,
I have done internship at Walmart in HR department which helped me in passing the first
interview round of preliminary screening.
I approached in this organization by the advertisement given on social media sites and on
the company's website. Before requesting for work experience in Thomas Cook, I made research
about company. In this, I explored the facilities provided by them to their employees and net
wealth of the company. Moreover, I got this entire information from social media sites and
through organization’s website. From all these information, I am able to pass the initial level
interview and test. At the final stage, I had negotiated with the interviewer so that he can select
me from the list of other filtered candidates. Here, I have done negotiation based on my
internship at Walmart and my skills within the context of HR. Further, my qualification in this
context also helped me in getting selected for this profile. Beside this, I am also agreed to the
initial salary package offered by my interviewer as all I want at this stage is to initiate a career
with the company. Hence, these practices have helped me in getting select for the job
description.
1.3 Business constraints on work experience
Business constraints are the factors or limitations that affect organizations in achieving
their goals. In addition to this, business plans made by the firm should be realistic; therefore, it is
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important to detail the limitations on business activity. Some of the business constraints faced by
the said organization are as follows: Customer satisfaction: it is important for the management of an organization to know the
needs and wants of their customers so that they can improve the performance of
employees (Brodie and Irving, 2007). Company should emphasize on the developing
customer satisfaction so that they can create customer loyalty plus generate productivity
to the firm. In this context, if employees are not able to serve best to the customers then it
is likely to affect their satisfaction level. For this, company need to hire skilled and
competent employees in order to reduce the training cost as it is one of the business
constraints for the company. Knowing the competition: The strength of the competitors is the key constraint on
business success. Company have to make such a position in the market so that it could
limit the effect of competition on its business. For this, company can retain employees by
giving high pay but it is again business constraints. Also, business organization is not
able to offer salary to new joinee as per their wish due to constraint of budget. Quality and skills of employees: Human resource is one of the important resource in
travel and tourism industry. Proper training must be provided to employees so that they
can achieve business objective. Health and safety consideration: Company must ensure the health and safety of every
employees. This increases the cost of operation that affects the profitability. Hence, it is
another constraint on work experience.
 Availability of finance: Company should have minimum finance in order to meet the
needs of the customers (Cox, 2005). Liquidity and cash flow are important this will help
in providing fund when needed.
TASK 2
2.1 Prioritizing the tasks and responsibilities involved in work based experience
HR manager have to do many tasks at one time and further, they have responsibility of
recruitment and selection of candidate, representing themselves on the behalf of the firm and
they, and they have to idealize the work of employees and provide effective communication
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between them, guiding for career plans (Bailey, Hughes, and Moore, 2004). HR manager can
prioritize their work by following a simple procedure.
1. To-do list: At the beginning of week or month, HR manager can make a list of tasks that
is to be done. Based upon it, task can be prioritize as per the importance so that most
crucial task gets completed at the desired time frame.
2. Review of workload: If any project is not finishing on time. HR can delegate their project
to an appropriate person who has the ability to finish that task on time. With this, work of
less importance can be completed by other and hence HR can focus on critical task.
3. Concentrate on value: 80% of work contributes to 20% of its value. Therefore, the person
can concentrate on 20 percent of workload because it will make performance better.
4. Set a deadline for each tasks: the person can estimate time that each task needs to be
accomplished. Therefore, set a deadline for each tasks.
5. Structure the workload: Workload can be managed by deal with one task at one time. In
this regard, priority can set for work and high priority should be completed on time so
that workload can be managed.
6. Don't let your inbox drive your work load: Don't check every message that arrives. One
can allocate time to check the inbox messages.
7. Keep multitasking to minimum: Starting with so many jobs won’t get equal attention. So
avoid multitasking.
8. Keep a log of your workload: If the person is not sure about the interruption he gets than
keep a log of working weak. It will help in future planning.
This structure will help an individual prioritizing the work according to time. This will help in
gaining experience to every individuals and achieving companies goals.
2.2 Producing a plan for work experience
As HR manager of the firm I faced problems in being socialize with other. It is important
for HR executive to be communicative with their staff and customers. For removing these skills
it is necessary for me to produce a plan and develop skills and experience at workplace (Boud
and Feletti, 1998). When producing a plan for work based experience one have to find out about
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its carrier opportunities and what skills lacking in an individual’s for the concerned post.
Appropriate actions to be taken for removing the limitations of an individual.
Issues Appropriate action Time frame
Communication skills Attend lectures
seminars
read books and journals.
5 months
Technical skills Training and development
program
Coaching
Watching videos
6 months
Socializing skills Interacting with new people
Connecting with social media
sites.
5 months
This plan will help in removing the limitations of an individuals and gaining advantage of
work based learning.
2.3 Analyzing the benefits for the proposed activities to the business and the learner
Benefit to an organization
 Allow more task to be carried out: Work based learning contributes in increasing the
productivity of the firm and increases innovation in an enterprise (De Graaf, and Kolmos,
2003). Proper training and development will encourage in prioritizing the work of an
individuals. It also help employees in managing more task at one time.
 Allow procedures/techniques to be developed: it helps in developing following proper
procedure for the given tasks. Employees get aware about the procedures that company
follows in developing any projects.
 Increasing responsiveness: Work based experience help business to become responsible
towards their projects. They likely to become understanding and help their subordinates
in their work.
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 Identifying cost saving measures: Work based learning help in identifying unnecessary
costs that the company is bearing. Hence, it helps in saving costs of the firm. During
training programs an individual learn various things, there they also learn what measures
are to be taken for saving costs.
Benefit to learner
 Understanding business operations: It helps an individuals in understanding the business
operations. There an individual learn how the business operate and what procedure are
followed.
 Importance of teamwork: When working in a company, work based learning helps in
communicating with different people at one time (Andresen, Boud, and Cohen, 2000).
With increase in regular communication among employees teamwork is established.
 Learning new techniques: when working in a company an individual learn different
techniques for completing their work. Learning help in reducing the workload and also
identifying the solutions to the problems.
 Developing problem solving skills: Here, they learn how to deal with the problems and
what solutions can be carried out for a particular problem.
 Developing management skills: Work based experience help in developing management
skills. The person learns how to manage the staff. Further, it also help individual to
manage different customers at one time.
TASK 3
3.1 Understand the specified requirements of placement conforming to all related codes of
practice
When applying for a particular position in Thomas Cook, company cannot discriminate
their candidates according to the gender, caste or any physical inability. The management of the
organization should consider all employees equal so that every person with proper qualification
can apply for the job. Legislation made by the government related to discrimination must be
followed by the company (Boud and Symes, 2000). Government had made non-discriminatory
act where any person should not be discriminate by gender, castes or physical inability. With
that, company should take care of the health and safety of their employees. Health and safety are
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the major concern in a company, so before, applying for the job proper research must be done
related to discrimination of candidate or any health and safety regulations.
3.2 Producing systematic record of challenges work experience gained by research, observation
and survey
Different challenges are faced by employers and employees when working in an
organization. Employers face challenges if the employees are not working properly and not non
completion of particular task. They have to make sure that every person is performing according
to the work given to them. Employees face challenges related to the salary, bonus, or job
satisfaction (Norcini, 2003). If employees are not satisfied by their job they will not definite
work for the firm. Incentive and bonus motivates employees towards their work and they likely
to give best of them. Through descriptive research, management can analyze the attitudes,
behavior, experience and knowledge of employees. By observing the employees and employer,
company can record the challenges faced by them. In spreadsheets, management can record the
challenges that are faced by employees and can take initiative to overcome from those
challenges.
3.3 Revise the initial plan and reflect the further changes to be made after observation
Learning objectives Specifications Review
Communication skills Verbal communications
Nonverbal communications
Written communication
4 week
Technical skills M. S. word
Excel
Power point presentation
Other gadgets knowledge
7 week
Time-management
skills
Making records of all work
Maintaining dairies
5 week
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Prioritizing work
Leadership skills Teamwork
Reduction in conflicts
Cooperation and coordination
among workers (Solomon,
2003).
2 week
Social interaction skills Society meetings
Interacting with new people.
3 week
Above table signifies that revision of plan in order to boost the learning on different
context. In this regard, communication skill needs to be improved so that I can able to improve
my skills in this context. In addition to it, technical skills will be improved by working on MS
office. Time management skills can improve by prioritizing work and maintaining diaries.
Further, leadership and social interaction skills also need to be improved and same can be done
by above mentioned activities.
3.4 Make suggestions for improvements and review these with supervisors
In order to review the activities that they are done in appropriate time it is important to
check the performance of employees and review these by the supervisors. The activities that
need to be done by the firm can be reviewed by using different methods in accordance with plan.
Employees can improve the time management skills by better planning, prioritizing the work,
understanding and identifying the habits and attitudes of personnel or by delegating work to
others (Prensky, 2005). These skills can be reviewed in particular period of time like after every
one month employees can review the performance and take measures for improvement. Make a
chart for what task is important and what not, and review the same by analyzing the performance
and creativity of every projects. Above mentioned plan will help the learners in attaining the
knowledge on different backgrounds. Through this, company can able to attain the objectives in
desired manner.
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TASK 4
4.1 Reflect and monitor and record the progress against original proposal
The aim of monitoring is to identify the progress towards the results which have been
produced. Monitoring will help in addressing results and with that enhancing accountability and
learning. Analyzing the progress to the extent to which intended outcome have been achieved by
the me. According to companies job description, it is found that through work based experience I
gained various knowledge related to communication skills or leadership skills (Dolmans and
et.al., 2001). It made me more communicative within a workplace.
When monitoring the performance I found that some of the objectives that is be achieved
by the firm is based on my management skills, how I can manage customers and staff all depends
on my management skills. The skills that have been developed by me is recorded in a
spreadsheet or diary where all the performance measures are recorded with specifications
(Healey, 2005). From past experience I found many changes that occurred in me. All these skills
were enhanced because of work based experience. One of the advantage of monitoring and
evaluation is that it ensures that the person is following the same direction which was established
during strategic planning. From this monitoring plan, I am able to review my performance
against the responsibilities assigned to me. Also, it helps me in identifying the loopholes if any
so that corrective measures can be applied. This will help me in boosting my performance and
will aid me in accomplishing my work in a desired manner.
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance
It is important for me to evaluate the performance with the strategic plan made by me for
achieving the goals in the firm. The main aims were to develop communication and development
skills. Communication skills were one of the major areas where I wanted to improve myself. In
travel and tourism sector, one has to communicate with various people and every person should
be impressed by your work (Prince, 2004). If the customers are impressed by your work it will
help in gaining competitive advantage and also establishing goodwill of the firm. For developing
these skills I attended seminars, lectures, and read articles of different people.
As HR manager, I have to perform various functions related to recruitment and selection
of candidate, increasing team work, maintaining the goodwill of the firm. It is important to have
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leadership skills in a manager as his duty is to perform various task and lead their subordinates.
Earlier I was not so interactive with other people but work based learning had helped me in
interacting with different people and influence them with my wordings. If the customers of
Thomas Cook get influence by the management team, it will help in gaining customer bond and
brand loyalty.
4.3 Analyzing the learning which had taken place during the work experience
Reflecting is concerned with describing, analyzing and evaluating the thoughts and
assumptions, beliefs and actions. Reflection is one of the integral part for students placements
and qualified practitioners. Work based learning had helped me in developing both my
knowledge and skills (Savery, 2015). Reflection of past performance had helped me in analyzing
the performance according to the practice. It also helps me in analyzing the barriers and make
effective plan for removing those barriers. Analyzing the learning by reflecting back that what I
have done in past and what I am doing in present.
During the work experience I learned so many things such as I gained knowledge and
personal skills which had helped in reducing the limitations of the company. Work based
experienced had helped me in gaining information regarding new procedures that are followed
by the firm (Prensky, 2003). This also helped me increasing inter-personal skills which is very
important in an organization. From the past performances it was analyzed that work experience
had helped in developing team spirit among employees and also helped in problem solving
techniques.
4.4 Recommendations for enhancing experience
For enhancing experience of an individual, one can recommends different techniques like
enhancing by using internet, time-management techniques, etc. All this will help in developing
the work based experience. Work based learning or training program to individuals can be done
by providing training at different locations where the work can be achieved by an individuals
(Career and Technical Education. 2009). The knowledge provided at training programs can be
explained in different manner like they can be given practical knowledge rather providing
theoretical knowledge.
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For enhancing experience, company can take initiative to make better time management
technique and providing definite work at one time. Better preparation can be done developing
skills among employees and these skills will further help in providing suitable ideas related to
the job done. For enhancing experience, management can provide minimum support to their
employees so that they can achieve the prior goals. In addition to it, training and development
session can be attained in order to enhance the learning and to boost the productivity. Through
this, flaws in my performance can be rectified and hence I can work in an effectual manner.
Also, workshops on different topics can be attend to gain learning and it helps in completing the
work in effectual manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be identified work based experience is very important to
enter into an organization or to improve the personal and professional skills of an individuals. It
can also be said that work based experience rather impact very widely during the lifetime
working of an individuals. This report mainly focuses on tasks and responsibilities that are
highly involved in work based experience. It also produces a plan for work experience and
analyzes the same. Further, they record the challenges faced by an individual during learning and
also provide suggestions for improvement. At last they focus on evaluating the quality
performance of an individual in an organization.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Andresen, L., Boud, D., and Cohen, R., 2000. Experience-based learning. Understanding adult
education and training, 2, 225-239.
Bailey, T. R., Hughes, K. L., and Moore, D. T., 2004. Working knowledge: Work-based learning
and education reform. Psychology Press.
Boud, D., & Feletti, G., 1998. The challenge of problem-based learning. Psychology Press.
Boud, D., and Solomon, N., 2001. Work-based learning: a new higher education?. McGraw-Hill
Education (UK).
Boud, D., and Symes, C., 2000. Learning for real: work-based education in universities. 2000):
Working Knowledge, The New Vocationalism and Higher Education, Philadelphia, 14-
29.
Brodie, P., and Irving, K., 2007. Assessment in work‐based learning: investigating a pedagogical
approach to enhance student learning. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education.
32(1), pp.11-19.
Cox, E., 2005. Adult learners learning from experience: Using a reflective practice model to
support work‐based learning. Reflective Practice, 6(4), pp.459-472.
De Graaf, E., and Kolmos, A., 2003. Characteristics of problem-based learning. International
Journal of Engineering Education. 19(5), pp.657-662.
Dolmans, D. H., and et.al., 2001. Solving problems with group work in problem‐based learning:
hold on to the philosophy. Medical education, 35(9), pp.884-889.
Healey, M., 2005. Linking research and teaching exploring disciplinary spaces and the role of
inquiry-based learning. Reshaping the university: new relationships between research,
scholarship and teaching. pp.67-78.
Norcini, J. J., 2003. ABC of learning and teaching in medicine: Work based assessment. BMJ:
British Medical Journal, 326(7392), pp.753.
Prensky, M., 2003. Digital game-based learning. Computers in Entertainment (CIE). 1(1), pp.21-
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Prensky, M., 2005. Computer games and learning: Digital game-based learning. Handbook of
computer game studies. 18, pp.97-122.
Prince, M., 2004. Does active learning work? A review of the research. JOURNAL OF
ENGINEERING EDUCATION-WASHINGTON. 9(3), pp.223-232.
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Raelin, J. A., 2000. Work-based learning: The new frontier of management development.
Addison-Wesley.
Raelin, J. A., 2008. Work-based learning: Bridging knowledge and action in the workplace. John
Wiley & Sons.
Savery, J. R., 2015. Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Essential
Readings in Problem-Based Learning: Exploring and Extending the Legacy of Howard S.
Barrows, 5.
Solomon, G., 2003. Project-based learning: A primer. TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING-
DAYTON-, 23(6), pp.20-20.
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Career and Technical Education. 2009. Work Based Learning. [Online]. Available through
<http://www.ncpublicschools.org/cte/curriculum/work-based/>. Accessed on 14th July
2015.
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