Travelosophers has launched a training academy for new‑to‑travel agents as it targets “considered growth” of its homeworking network.
The Travelosophers Academy aims to help agents with little or no previous industry experience take their first steps into homeworking.
There are currently 65 homeworkers, and Travelosophers is looking to take on a small number of recruits for its first induction.
Sharon Angove, training and business development manager, said the aim was to build a group of travel professionals who are the “right fit”.
She said: “Travelosophers’ approach has always been considered growth rather than scale. We’ll be intentionally keeping each induction group small to make sure we can deliver a more personalised experience with lots of one-to-one support.
“We’re in the onboarding phase at the moment and having conversations with applicants to make sure they’re the right fit. Once that’s complete, we plan to launch our first induction in the coming weeks.”
She added: “The priority is to attract people who share our values and commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. We haven’t got set numbers but know we want to keep it small, especially to begin with, which will allow us to refine as we go along, learn what works well, get feedback and make any necessary adjustments.”
The academy aims to equip homeworkers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to launch and build their own travel businesses from scratch, with no prior industry knowledge required.
Angove said a structured learning programme had been designed, combining industry knowledge with practical skills and ongoing support.
“Travelosophers Academy has been created to give new franchisees the strongest possible start,” she said, adding: “I’m incredibly proud to be leading an initiative that reflects our commitment to investing in our people and providing the support they need to thrive throughout their journey with us.”
Angove said she welcomed conversations with those looking for a new career direction or with experience from another sector. The academy includes a 12‑week training course with business development support, access to technology systems and suppliers, and guidance from head office.
It includes live learning, practical assessments and self-study with in-house support to launch their business, plus ongoing mentoring from a business development manager.