Co-operation is key to learning

Co-operation is key to learning

Holiday Hypermarket has signed up with a local college in order to provide tourism students with a better understanding of the industry.Andrea Perry reports

AN ESTIMATED 3,000 students will sign up for travel-related courses this year but the sad fact is that by the time many of them leave, they are woefully unprepared for life in the real world of travel.

Travel companies who take on college leavers often complain that they do not understand the workings of an agency. The main criticisms are that college leavers display poor interpersonal skills, lack basic knowledge and the discipline to hold down a full-time job.

Meanwhile for the individuals themselves, being unprepared for working in the industry can bring its own frustrations.

In order to bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the reality of working in an agency, Halesowen College in the Midlands has teamed up with Holiday Hypermarket.

Together, they have devised a two-year Travel Combination Course that encompasses all aspects of working for a travel agency, as well as touching on other roles in the industry such as working abroad as a rep, cabin crew or for a tour operator.

The two-year course begins later this month and has space for 24 students.

Co-ordinator of leisure, tourism and sports courses at the college Gary Smith said: “We wanted to ensure that what we deliver matches the needs of the industry. An industry link through a strong partner was the obvious way of tackling this.”

He added: “There is definitely a shortage of people coming into the industry with the right skills. What we are trying to do will only scratch the surface but it is a step in the right direction and this particular venture will be of mutual benefit to both parties.”

At the end of the course students can gain a number of accolades including the ABTA Travel Agent’s Certificate, Certificate of Itinerary Planning and the GNVQ Single Award for Travel and Tourism.

Students also study a language and other related subjects such as first aid, food hygiene, health and safety and career skills.

Holiday Hypermarket marketing manager Rachel Clayton expanded on the company’s involvement: “We are having an input in the course content and how it is structured. We will also certainly be giving seminars and intend to offer work placement and shadowing opportunities in our centres to the college students.”

Clayton added: “Professional training is essential and the more training we can give the more we get out of it.

“This is a long-term project. If it is successful we will look at becoming more involved in other courses.”

Holiday Hypermarket managing director John Donnelly said: “By being the industry partner for Travel Combination we can make a valuable contribution to the training and grooming of the staff of tomorrow, ensuring they are being given the right direction in the classroom.”

Springboard UK, which promotes careers in hospitality, tourism leisure, was full of praise for the link between Holiday Hypermarket and Halesowen College.

On course: the college aims to match its training with business needs

Donnelly: keen to promote staff training

Working together for success

Holiday Hypermarket is one of a number of travel companies that is seeing the benefit of working closely with colleges to make sure students are better prepared for working in the industry.

In July, business travel specialist Hillgate Travel joined forces with the University of Wales Institute Cardiff on a course, giving students the chance of achieving an internationally recognised reservations qualification.

The Guild of Business Travel Agents has worked alongside the University of the West of England to run the UK’s only travel-focused Masters of Business Administration.