Long-serving staff are missing out on top jobs in the multiples because of gaps in training, leading recruitment companies have claimed.
The wake-up call comes as Thomas Cook and Going Places launch recruitment drives, but experts fear limited business training opportunities are demotivating agency staff who see good jobs going to skills-savvy industry outsiders.
In a recent survey by recruitment company New Frontiers, 40% of 316 respondents cited a lack of career prospects as the primary reason for leaving past jobs. New Frontiers managing director Julia Feuell said multiples have adopted a strategic view that business skills are a priority when recruiting for management positions. “If you’ve worked within the travel industry, it’s a bonus,” she said.
“A lot of attention internally is placed on sales training and the multiples recognise the skills gaps at management level.”
C&M Recruitment sales manager Barbara Kolosinska said management training is lacking but blamed industry-wide time and resources issues.
Unsurprisingly, the big four rejected the claims.
TUI UK sales and marketing director Miles Morgan said TUI looks internally for 90% of jobs, only recruiting externally when filling specialist roles such as IT managers.
He said: “The pyramid is tighter than it used to be and more competitive. But if you work hard and are enthusiastic, talent always comes to the top.”
Thomson’s annual staff turnover rate is 10%-15% among its 4,000 agents, an improvement on pre-September 11 2001 levels, added a spokesman.
First Choice retail trading director Cheryl Powell claimed career progression is no tougher today than when she started 19 years ago.
“It’s easy to shine – you can see immediately if someone is making a difference. We talk to them early on about opportunities ahead,” Powell said.
The big four all said they have shop-focused, resort and head-office management training courses.