ABTA’s Education Partnerships Manager Vicki Wolf, has been asked by People 1st to sit on its new Travel Apprenticeship Board, alongside prominent industry employers. 

The new Board, set up and facilitated by People 1st, is recognised by Government to oversee the external quality assurance of the employer-driven Travel Apprenticeship that was launched earlier this year. The new apprenticeships give employers greater flexibility to choose the training that is right for their business. 

ABTA and a number of key Members have been heavily involved in the development of the travel apprenticeship and we will continue to work to ensure that the travel industry plays a leading role in the governance of the new apprenticeship. The Travel Apprenticeship Board will play a vital role in ensuring that the new generation of apprentices meet the high standards we have set.

The Board has five employer members, and includes non-voting representatives from ABTA and GTMC. ABTA will join the Board to support the industry and play a leading role in the governance of the new apprenticeship scheme. 

Employers sitting on the Board are as follows: 

• Ben Bouldin, associate vice president and managing director UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International
• Emma Metcalf, qualifications delivery manager - talent programmes, Thomas Cook
• Julia Assock, head of learning & development, Reed & Mackay 
• Linda Ginger, global head of sales training, STA Travel
• Nicky Duffy, head of operations, Clarity Travel Management.