A Study of the Impact of COVID - 19 on Vocational Institutes in Tourism Industry Program : Qualitative Interview Study of TVET Directors

Abstract

COVID -19 Pandemic affects the Thai education system greatly. Especially , education that requires teaching and learning in real places such vocational education. This research therefore focuses on studying the impact of the COVID - 19 outbreak towards vocational education in the area that directly affected such as tourism and hospitality courses. We study the changes in teaching methods and the limitations, limitations on Internship , and job searching in affected occupations. We conducted in - depth interviews with directors or appointed teachers of 8 TVET institutions throughout Thailand. The criteria for selecting vocational institutes are as follows : 1) public and private vocational institutes ; 2) location by regions and Bangkok ; and 3) vocational institutes with the high number of students studying in tourism program. The results of this study found that. This study found that public and private vocational institutes are affected on different degrees , in terms of the limitation on learning materials, inability to get training during internship , and issues related to family income affect education and future career greatly. Graduated students are unable to find a job that matches the subjects they studied, so they ended up selling products online or do farming with their families. As for new students , they lack confidence in the field of tourism and hotel industry causing the number of students in this field to decrease. TVET institutions provide some support measures such as reducing registration fees. Other supports measures depend on the financial situation of each institution. Ones with more cash flow can offer students to study first and pay tuition fees when they graduate. This approach is the concept as students borrowing money from the institution to study.