The final three seats available on the Travel Apprenticeship Board have been filled.
Nicky Duffy, head of operations at Clarity Travel Management;
Joanne Griffiths, head of people at Ocean Holidays and Nicole Freer, senior business development consultant at the Advantage Travel Partnership; will champion the interests of SME businesses on the board.
The new members, selected for their combined expertise and passion in driving up the quality of apprenticeships, ensure representation from employers of all sizes across the industry.
The three representatives join the five members elected in March, who are:
• Christina Drummond, managing director, Horncastle Executive Travel
• Julia Assock, head of learning and development, Reed & Mackay
• Ben Bouldin, associate vice president and managing director UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International
• Linda Ginger, global head of sales training, STA Travel
• Emma Metcalf, qualifications delivery manager – talent programmes, Thomas Cook
The board also includes non-voting representatives from Abta and GTMC in addition to the eight employer members.
The board, which will be facilitated by performance and talent management expert People 1st, is recognised by government to oversee the external quality assurance of the employer-driven travel apprenticeship that was launched this year.
The first new employer-driven apprenticeship standards were designed last month by travel trailblazer employers co-chaired by BCD Travel and Tui Group.
Consultation on the new standards was carried out across the industry and via Abta and the Gtmc.
People 1st strategic policy director, Annette Allmark, said: “We were delighted to fill the remaining places on the board with representatives championing the views of SMEs and wanting an influential role in the future of travel apprenticeships.
“It is extremely important that employers, large and small, have the opportunity to help drive quality apprenticeships and ensure the new standards remain fit for purpose for all businesses.”