Students need trade support

Letter of the week

Students need trade support

Perhaps employers should give more credence to the full-time education and training available in further educationcolleges.

In Travel Weekly September 11, you highlighted the partnership between Halesowen College and Holiday Hypermarket. I am sure many colleges would like the opportunity to team up with airlines, tour operators and travel agents to ensure that the training and education provided is relevant and effective.

But the reality is that only a handful of companies are actively interested in working with colleges.

Most lecturers have worked in the travel industry and many have not restricted themselves to just one sector.

We are not, therefore, naãve about the need for good interpersonal skills and travel knowledge.

It would be helpful though if employers showed an interest in the education and training taking place in FEcolleges, because by working together colleges and employers could ensure not only that there could not be a skills crisis but also that new employees were immediately productive from day one.

Sally Butler, Travel and Tourism courses co-ordinator, St Austell College, Cornwall

&#42 see Analysis page 8