Three winners to feature in Travel Weekly over the course of the year
Apprentices from Flight Centre, Skybreak and Thomas Cook have been selected to be Travel Weekly’s Apprentice Rising Stars over the next 12 months.
The three winners entered a competition which forms part of Travel Weekly’s Apprenticeships in Focus series, run in association with headline sponsor Virgin Holidays and supported by Abta and People 1st.
They are Haz Ashton, from Flight Centre in Putney; Kimberley Steer, from SkyBreak at Gatwick Airport; and Joel Matthewman, from Thomas Cook in Wombwell, South Yorkshire.
The winners each receive a pair of Virgin Atlantic tickets courtesy of Virgin Holidays. They will also be invited to attend major Travel Weekly events and will get to meet and learn from senior industry figures.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly Group, said: “The government’s new apprenticeship levy and a renewed focus on apprenticeships means they will form an increasingly important part of travel firms’ training and development strategies.
“We are delighted to have found three outstanding young apprentices to take part in our Rising Stars series, and we look forward to following their progress and learning more about how the travel industry’s talent of the future is starting out on their career paths.”
Joe Thompson, managing director of Virgin Holidays, welcomed the three Rising Stars, and reiterated Virgin’s own commitment to embedding apprenticeships at the heart of its development plans as it prepares to select its own 2017 intake.
“I want to congratulate the apprentices chosen to feature in Travel Weekly’s apprenticeship special,” he said.
“It is so important for the travel industry to invest in its prospective talent, and apprenticeships form an integral part of this strategy. I look forward to seeing where these apprentices go in the future as I’m sure they’ll make waves in the industry.”
He added: “At Virgin Holidays, we’re excited to be holding our assessment day for our apprentices in September.
“It’s a very competitive pool of potential recruits and we’ve got a challenging day set for them.
“I’m excited to see who is able to clinch one of this year’s five apprenticeship places and can’t wait to welcome them into our team.”
Haz Ashton Flight Centre, Putney
Haz is completing a 12-month travel consultant apprenticeship as part of Flight Centre’s first intake. She joined the company in May after studying events and leisure management at Sheffield Hallam University
I have always loved to travel, so when I started looking for my first job, the Flight Centre advert really stood out.
I was attracted by the opportunities for career progression and the room for growth within the company, and in the early stages of the interview process I was told about the apprentice scheme.
I had done an internship during my university course, so had an idea of what an apprenticeship looked like, and so far it has gone really well.
“Ultimately I want to progress within Flight Centre; it offers so many opportunities with a lot of brands”
I started training on May 6, and went into store three weeks later. Initially we learned about the company’s ethos and values, and the processes of our role, and then learned about putting it all into practice with shop experience.
I am working as part of a team of 10 in-store, and alongside that I have modules to complete each month and have one-on‑one meetings and assessments with trainers who assess my sales figures, listen to my calls and set me goals each month.
Ultimately I want to progress within Flight Centre; it has a lot of brands, which offer so many different opportunities.
Kimberley Steer, Skybreak, Gatwick Airport
Kimberley is completing a two-year customer services apprenticeship at Skybreak at Gatwick Airport with N&B Training. She began her apprenticeship in March after completing a Level 2 diploma in travel and tourism at Sussex Coast College
During my diploma course I learned the basics including airport codes and some customer service skills, but rather than continuing at college, I thought I would look at learning on the job.
Initially I looked at roles with hotels and travel agents, but they required experience, so the idea of doing an apprenticeship really appealed to me. I have always been a people person, so focusing on customer service made sense, and I had heard of Skybreak and thought that an apprenticeship would allow me to learn more about airline systems.
“I have always been a people person, so focusing on customer service made sense
At Skybreak we are often the first point of contact for passengers, particularly when they are experiencing disruption, so my role involves responding to emails and calls, talking to people face-to-face and liaising with handling agents.
As an apprentice we have guidance from our team leaders, and 20% of our time is study time which includes completing coursework and going through assessments on the job.
I am looking forward to staying with the company. I really look up to my team leader who also started out as an apprentice.
Joel Matthewman, Thomas Cook, Wombwell
Joel started his two-year travel consultant apprenticeship in July, fulfilling an ambition to become a travel agent. He joined Thomas Cook straight from school
I have always wanted to become a travel agent, so when I came towards the end of my time at school I went into my local store and asked if there were any opportunities. She explained about the online application, interview process and the apprenticeship scheme.
I was very excited when I found out that I’d been successful. I did an initial two-day workshop at head office which introduced me to the company, including the products, brands, vision and values, and the apprenticeship scheme.
In store I have an hour a day study time away from the counter to work on tasks from my action plan which are set by my apprenticeship assessor.
“Getting the apprenticeship with Thomas Cook was an amazing opportunity. I’ve already made 10 bookings in my first month”
I complete a set series of modules each week on our Thomas Cook Academy e-learning system, and I then compile work evidence which is assessed as I go online. I have a visit from my assessor every six weeks or so.
Getting the apprenticeship with Thomas Cook was an amazing opportunity. I am really enjoying it as it allows me to sell and train at the same time. I’ve already made 10 bookings in my first month.
I am looking forward to completing my apprenticeship and becoming a full-time travel consultant.
More: Apprenticeships in Focus, in association with Virgin Holidays