Health and Safety Practices in Hotels in Central Region, Ghana: Does Being a TVET-Trained Housekeeper Matter?

Purpose: Despite evidences that training helps improve health and safety practices in hotels, there is modicum of knowledge of how being a Technical and Vocational Education and Training-trained housekeeper influences health and safety practices in hotels in Central Region, particularly Cape Coast and Elmina. This study, in response to this gap, examined the effect of being a TVET-trained housekeeper on health and safety practices in hotels in Cape Coast and Elmina. Methodology: The explanatory research design was employed. Data were collected, using self-administered questionnaire, from 100 conveniently selected housekeepers of 51 hotels in Cape Coast and Elmina in the Central Region. Data collected were analysed using means, standard deviations and regression analysis. Findings: The results showed that seven dimensions account for about 60% of the variance in health and safety practices. Also, the general level of health and safety practices in hotels in Cape Coast and Elmina was high – with higher average scores recorded among TVET-trained housekeepers compared to non-TVET-trained housekeepers. Additionally, the study revealed a statistically significant positive effect of being a TVET-trained housekeeper on health and safety practices in hotels. Recommendation: It was recommended that for improved health and safety practices in the hotels in Cape Coast and Elmina, there is the need for TVET-trained housekeepers; thus, hotel operators should give preference to employing TVET-trained housekeepers.