Virgin Holidays has signed up to the Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) Scheme.
The ATP scheme, which has been developed by ABTA, in association with Institute of Travel and Tourism and People 1st, allows individuals to career progress by recognising qualifications and experience.
The scheme rewards progress through a points scheme that recognises any qualifications attained and seminars attended. Virgin Holiday staff will be able to earn points for their in-house training, all of which has been mapped and accredited to national occupational standards
Virgin Holidays has 100 employees pre-registered on the programme and 400 other staff coming onto the scheme this year.
Virgin Holidays learning and development team leader Angel Conley said: “It is a great way for our guys to develop. By investing in our people, they will look after our customers.
“Staff have greeted the ATP scheme with enthusiasm, as it provides an easy system for recognising and rewarding career developments.”
The scheme is voluntary for staff and the company will be running internal incentives to encourage staff to progress within the scheme.
Virgin Holidays has a white-label website allowing staff to access the details of the scheme.
The companies who are already part of ATP include the Midlands Co-operative Society, The Co-operative Travel Group, Knock Travel, Sunvil, Hoseasons, Oasis Travel, Association of Cruise Experts, Open University, Training for Travel, Intraining, Travel Uni and Online Travel Training. ABTA is currently in discussion with more companies about joining the scheme.