Virgin Holidays has launched the Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) Scheme to its staff this week, with 100 employees pre-registering on the scheme which will ensure their qualifications and experience are professionally recognised.

By providing free sign up for up to 400 staff, Virgin Holidays has joined a growing band of companies who are committed to high professional standards within the travel industry. The companies who are already part of ATP include the Midlands Co-operative Society, the Co-operative Travel Group, Knock Travel, Sunvil, Hoseasons, Oasis Travel, Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), Open University, Training for Travel, Intraining, Travel Uni and Online Travel Training.

The ATP scheme has been developed by ABTA, in association with ITT and People 1st, and charts an individual’s career progress in the travel industry by recognising qualifications and experience. Once membership is gained, progress is recognised through a points scheme. Qualifications attained and seminars attended are all awarded ‘ATP points’, which can take individuals onto the next level of membership, currently bracketed as bronze, silver and gold. Virgin Holiday staff will be able to earn points for their in-house training, all of which has been mapped and accredited to national occupational standards by ATP.

“In these hard economic times, we are more committed than ever to training,” said Angel Conley, Learning and Development Team Leader. “If we invest in our staff, then they will look after our customers. Staff have greeted the ATP scheme with enthusiasm as it provides an easy system for recognising and rewarding career developments.”

Vicki Wolf, ABTA’s Education Liaison Executive said: “We are thrilled to have Virgin Holidays on board with ATP, as they really understand the benefits training brings to all parts of their business.” 

For more information on ATP go to www.travelprofessional.co.uk or email administrator@travelprofessional.co.uk.