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Apprenticeships and T-levels in the travel industry
Apprenticeships
If you are interested in starting a career in travel, or in broadening your skills as you develop your career, an apprenticeship is a great way to start. Many travel companies offer apprenticeship schemes that include a variety of different routes to choose from. ABTA has worked very closely with People 1st (who are the workforce development charity that represent travel) and a number of our Members and other industry representatives as part of the Travel Consultant Trailblazers Group. This group has developed new professional standards for Travel Consultant Apprentices. The new apprenticeship has an end assessment test, ensuring that every apprentice needs to meet the agreed industry professional standards, no matter where they did their apprenticeship.
The new Travel Consultant Apprenticeship covers both leisure and business travel for the first time. This means that both Leisure Travel and Business Travel employers can offer apprenticeships. The apprenticeship will last between 12-24 months depending on previous qualifications and you will be on an employment contract with an employer who will give you the required on the job training.
Individuals and employers can find out more about the new apprenticeship by contacting People 1st, the workforce development charity that represents travel.
Find out more about apprenticeships in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A number of training providers and colleges also offer the travel apprenticeship. The ABTA Partners below can assist you with advice:
A growing number of Members offer apprenticeships in a number of other areas too such as a range of aviation-related apprenticeships, human resources, digital marketing and IT. The range of careers in travel companies can be vast and the range of opportunities is varied.
Whether you are an individual looking for an apprenticeship, or an ABTA Member or Partner wanting to offer an apprenticeship of your own, the Government apprenticeship website has a wealth of information to assist you.
Many ABTA Members recruit apprentices directly through their website and Facebook pages; so do have a look at those.
Case studies/videos from ABTA Members
T-levels
The Government is launching the first of a new technical qualification – T-levels – in September 2020. These are aimed at developing a range of technical skills required by industry. The first T-level subjects are listed here.
While a specific Travel T-level is not planned at this stage there are many subjects where our Members could offer work experience. T-levels require students to spend at least 45 days on work placement in relevant industries.
Many ABTA Members may be able to offer work placement opportunities to these students. You can also split the placement with another business.
To find out about T-levels go to tlevels.gov.uk where you can search for colleges and schools in your area offering them. Advice on how employers can get involved is available at www.tlevels.gov.uk/employers.
A range of information about becoming an apprentice, recruiting an apprentice (including financial incentives for businesses) can be found here www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.
'Plan for Jobs' skills and employment programmes: information for employers
A range of government programmes, some of which offer financial incentives, are available for employers who are considering hiring employees or offering work experience.
Revised Kickstart Guidance
DWP has published a new guidance for businesses participating in the Kickstart Scheme. This guidance contains a new annex called Proof of Concept which states:
The Kickstart Scheme was designed for Participants aged between 16-24. There is a potential that individuals aged 25-29 may also derive benefit from being part of the Kickstart Scheme. Individuals aged 25-29 registered to Job Centres in areas as determined by the DWP where there are an insufficient number of Participants aged between 16-24 available to fill the Kickstart job vacancies, will also be eligible for the Kickstart Scheme where referred by the DWP.