Hard Skills of Hospitality Graduates and Hotel Skills Gap Reduction in Selected Four-Star Hotels in Kigali City, Rwanda
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Hotels in Rwanda need hospitality graduates whose operational competencies match workplace requirements. This study examined the association between graduates’ hard skills and perceived hotel skills gap reduction in three four-star hotels in Kigali City. Guided by human capital and competency-based theories, a descriptive mixed-methods approach combined questionnaires and manager interviews. Of 220 eligible individuals, 147 were selected (113 graduates and 34 managers), and 136 participated (108 graduates and 28 managers; overall response rate 92.5%). Instruments were reviewed by academic experts and piloted; questionnaire diagnostics yielded KMO = .959 and Cronbach’s alpha = .988. Graduates rated their hard-skills preparation moderately positively (mean = 3.82), particularly event organization, front-office attachments and kitchen practice, but identified weaker conference exposure and bar and restaurant practical’s. Hard skills and perceived skills gap reduction were strongly correlated (r = .951, p < .001; N = 108), with R² = .904. Managers corroborated the value of practical preparation while identifying continuing needs in hotel-specific systems and languages. The study adds Rwanda-specific evidence that training-to-workplace alignment matters, but self-reported measures and possible common-method bias preclude causal interpretation. Hospitality educators should strengthen authentic service practice, industry exposure and hotel partnerships.
Authors: Jackline Kabatesi, Charles Aloo
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225374318