The front office is the primary point of contact in the hospitality industry, making student competencies essential for service quality. However, despite formal training, many hospitality graduates face challenges in front-office roles due to gaps in competency-based education. Using McClelland’s Competency Model, this study investigates the relationship between knowledge, skills, self-concept, personality traits, and motivation with student competencies. Using a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 124 UiTM Cawangan Pulau Pinang hospitality students. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and Spearman’s correlation. The findings reveal significant correlations between all competency dimensions and student readiness, with self-concept and motivation showing the strongest associations. The study underscores the need for competency-based learning models integrating technical training with experiential learning and self-efficacy development. It also highlights the importance of structured internships, behavioural skill training, and industry collaboration to enhance student preparedness for front-office roles. In order to refine educational frameworks, future research should focus on competency assessments across the hospitality sectors.