Bridging the gap between theory and practice:
TVET lecturers’ views on tourism education and labour market readiness in South Africa

Oyinlola Omolara Adebola ORCID iD & Godfrey Tiisetso Hoffman ORCID iD 

Issue: Vol. 7 No. 2 2026 Article 16 pp.251 – 266
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.20267216 Published online 27th March 2026.

© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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This study explored the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lecturers’ perspectives on tourism education and labour market readiness within South African higher education with the aim of bridging the gap between theory and practice and preparing tourism students for the labour market, focusing on the issues they encounter and potential solutions. TVET colleges in South Africa offer a new approach to delivering services by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The qualitative study is informed by the Human Capital Theory (HCT), employs the interpretivist paradigm, collects data through interviews, and utilises thematic analysis to interpret the data. The study revealed that a lack of teaching resources, an obsolete curriculum, and a lack of continuous development programs are the challenges confronting TVET Colleges. In contrast, redesigning and implementing the curriculum, the availability of modern technology, and the provision of both human and non-human resources were identified as possible solutions to bridge the gap between theory and practice in TVET colleges. The study recommended that the government strengthen the relationship between lecturers and industry, provide tourism industry-focused seminars for TVET universities, examine tourism syllabi at predetermined intervals, and conduct educational visits to tourism attractions. Therefore, the study concludes with suggestions for the actions that should be taken to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Keywords: Technical and Vocational Education and Training; Curriculum; Tourism industry.

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Dr. Oyinlola Omolara Adebola is a lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State, with an interest in higher education, pre-service teachers, and business studies. Her academic journey has been shaped by a commitment to improving teaching and learning through my publications, particularly in this area. Her work explores how education can serve as a tool for sustainable development, particularly in subjects such as Economics and Management Sciences, Business Studies, and within higher education. She has published up to 14 articles in an accredited journal and presented at conferences both locally and internationally, produced postgraduate students, reviewed for journals, and served as an examiner for master’s theses.

Godfrey Tiisetso Hoffman holds a Diploma in Tourism Management, an Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), a Bachelor of Education (Honors) in Curriculum Studies, and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies. He is currently a lecturer in Tourism and Vocational Education in South Africa, with teaching experience in NCV, NATED, and occupational programmes within the TVET sector.

Adebola, Oyinlola Omolara, and Godfrey Tiisetso Hoffman. “Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: TVET Lecturers’ Views on Tourism Education and Labour Market Readiness in South Africa.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 7, no.2 (2026): 251 -266. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.20267216

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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