Hospitality cooperative education: what are the benefits for industry partners?

Cooperative education programs were incorporated into undergraduate hospitality degree programs to help students prepare for their future careers within the hospitality industry. It is well known that cooperative partnerships between industry and academia are of paramount benefit to associated educators and students. This study, however, identifies pertinent benefits to hospitality industry partners of a cooperative education program. The implications of these benefits may lead to the improvement of hospitality cooperative education for all parties involved, but especially for industry partners, as they may offer opportunities for redesigning cooperative education programs so as to highlight and maximize benefits.