Roles and Responsibilities

Role and responsibility of the Employer

1. The employer will give the student a letter of offer that outlines the start and finish dates of the internship, hours, rate of pay, and the role and duties offered. If the Internship is completed in New Zealand, then the internship will meet the requirements of applicable New Zealand employment legislation, and if overseas, then the applicable legislation of the country in which the internship will take place.

If the internship takes place in the workplace where the student is currently employed, the employer must provide a letter of offer stating the role and duties that will be undertaken as part of the internship.

2. The employer will ensure the internship includes at least 300 hours of work.
3. The employer will allocate a supervisor to whom the intern will report and have as their main point of contact with the company and who will provide ongoing feedback to the intern or the employee undertaking the internship as appropriate. 
4. The employer will exercise a high level of professional, ethical, and technical guidance to the intern. 
5. The employer will provide an appropriate setting for the intern’s professional and personal growth. 
6. The required documentation will be provided to the intern and the New Zealand School of Tourism on completion of 300 hours (no later than 2 weeks after the completion of the internship). 
7. Any concerns around the performance of the intern will be communicated by the supervisor to the intern and the internship Diploma Tutor within the New Zealand School of Tourism who has been assigned to look after those students who are completing internships as part of their Diploma. If the intern terminates the internship early or the employer decides to terminate the internship early, the employer will inform the Internship Diploma Tutor immediately. 
8. The employer will prioritise the health and safety of the student during the internship per the Health and Safety at Work Act. This includes conducting a health and safety induction, which will cover the identification and mitigation of potential hazards, emergency procedures, and any specific safety protocols relevant to the workplace. 
9. The employer will maintain accurate records of any accidents or incidents involving the student during the internship. These records will include details of the incident, any injuries sustained, and the actions taken in response. The employer will promptly send copies of these records to the New Zealand School of Tourism and the student upon request. 
10. The employer will provide flexibility in work scheduling to accommodate the student's participation in the internship, ensuring that the student can fulfil the required 300 hours and meet the academic requirements of the internship. 

Role and Responsibility of the New Zealand School of Tourism

1. To approve the workplaces for the internships or to approve the suitability of the workplace to meet internship requirements if the student is already employed in the workplace. 
2. To meet the NZQA requirements around our internships, an Internship Memorandum of Understanding needs to be signed by ourselves and every industry partner that hires our students. Please note that the internship is not valid if an Internship Memorandum of Understanding has not been signed.
3.   To liaise with both the employer and the intern throughout the internship to ensure it is working effectively for both parties. 
4. On receipt of the documentation from the employer and learner after the completion of 300 hours of workplace experience and provided the student has completed all assessment requirements, process the final credits for the intern’s diploma.

Role and Responsibility of the New Zealand School of Student

1. The student is to secure employment and confirm the employer is willing to meet the internship requirements.
2. The student is to liaise with their Tutor when they have secured a position of employment and provide the contact details of their employer: Email and phone number.
3. The NZST Team leader will contact the employer to complete the necessary paperwork/documentation ie: the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
4. For all internships, the student must meet all the graduate profile requirements of their internship assessment.
5. Please note that students wanting to go on an internship are not able to be released until they have completed all modules (non-workplace practice modules). If necessary, students will need to negotiate a start date for their internship that is after the final core module is completed.
6. If there is a breakdown in the relationship with the employer, please contact your tutor as soon as possible so we can look at other options.
7. Maintain regular contact with your online tutor with a minimum of 2 Q-times to discuss your progress. This will be via Calendly booking and Zoom.
8. Complete and submit all 3 Internship Assessments.
9. Complete 300 hrs within 8-10 weeks.

Professional behaviour and conduct while on Internship

Professional behaviour is expected at all times. You will be representing the New Zealand School of Tourism Ltd. whilst working towards your 300 hrs. You must be always acting professionally.

‘Work ready, world ready’ professional guidelines applicable to all students

• Attendance level meets the requirements of your employer.
• Professional dress as advised by your workplace.
• Maintaining punctuality.
• Taking constructive feedback on board and applying it in future.
• Understanding the part, you play in any situation maturely.
• Maintaining a respectful relationship with all fellow staff, and guests at all times.
• Behaving acceptably.

Types of Roles

The role needs to be in the Travel and Tourism industry and be customer service-facing. For example:

• Customer Service Representative/Supervisory/Management roles.
• Airport, airline, hotels, travel agency, tourism, i-site visitor information.
• Tourism operations supervisory / management roles.
• Tourism business development roles.

It can be a restaurant role, but the restaurant needs to be in a space where you will have contact with tourists. ie: an airport or Hotel. Please discuss this with your tutor. A full-time role with a minimum of 25 hrs per week

Step by Step

1. The first step is to talk to your online tutor to gain internship workplace approval. This will ensure you meet all the requirements before approaching a prospective employer.
2. If you are currently employed in a Travel and Tourism role, speak to your employer about completing your internship while you work. You will still need approval from your tutor.
3. Send the employer details to your tutor, who will then contact the employer to complete the paperwork (MOU).
4. Start your internship.
5. Schedule a Q-time one-on-one with your tutor after you have completed 3 weeks of your internship. Book this via Calendly.

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