INDUSTRY observers are predicting an explosion in the amount of travel that is booked on the Internet in the next few years, yet the industry has done little to train staff in how to use the World Wide Web, appearing oblivious to many of its uses.
But those in the travel industry who want to improve their job prospects would be well advised to pick up some Internet skills, according to recruitment consultancies.
Leigh Morgan, a consultant with Keystone Recruitment, said that although it is not yet vital to have experience of the Internet to secure a job in travel, it will not be long before companies are insisting potential employees know how to find their way around the Web.
“No-one is asking for job candidates to have Internet skills at the moment, but the Internet is definitely the way of the future. I don’t think it will be long at all before these sorts of skills become very important to employers,” said Morgan.
Chameleon Training and Consultancy will launch one of the first Internet training programmes for the travel industry later this year. Called Internet for Travel, the programme will give participants an introduction to the Net.
Chameleon general manager Shona Cooper said: “At the moment agents are dealing with clients who have researched their travel plans on the Net, which is something they know nothing about. This course will give them an appreciation of how the Internet works.”
Travel industry employees, or those looking for jobs in travel, could improve their Internet skills by enrolling in a part-time course at their local college, most of which have several to choose from.
Hove College, for example, offers three new part-time weekend courses specially designed for people who are already in employment and are unable to take time off to attend classes during the week.
Director of studies Janet Dalby said: “It’s easy to use the Internet but unless people have been properly trained they can get quite lost, which is why we have started these courses.”
The first is a one-day introduction to the Internet, and includes advice on how to get connected, an explanation of the Web and instruction on how to send e-mail. Hove also offers two-day courses on Internet research, for those who already have some knowledge of the Web, and Net Publishing which covers Web-page design for those who want to create their own Internet sites.
Prices had not been confirmed as Travel Weekly went to press, but Dalby said the one-day course was likely to cost in the region of £120.
Some colleges offer evening as well as weekend courses throughout the year. For example, Hammersmith and West London College has a four-week evening course in Web page design, plus a four-week introduction to the Internet which takes place on Saturday afternoons.
The Travel Training Company can arrange Internet courses on request from agents. Alternatively, it recommends those who require help untangling the mysteries of the World Wide Web read the self-help book SAMS Teach Yourself HTML 4 in 24 Hours by Dick Oliver, priced £17.95.
Mike Cogan of the travel technology consultancy Equinus suggested that an even cheaper and simpler alternative would be to get advice from friends, colleagues and staff who were already Web literate.
“Sometimes one of the easiest ways of finding your way around the Web is to get someone you know to show you how,” he said. “Often young members of staff will already have these skills and in a typical agency there’s bound to be someone who has some experience of the Internet that other members of staff can tap into.”
jobs for the web wise
Role Internet skills required
Marketing Ability to liaise with designers to launch and maintain Web site information.
Reservations Monitor e-mail and provide back-up telephone support to clients using the Web site.
Sales Monitor e-mail and input offers, fares and product information on to the Web site.
Counter staff monitor e-mail and research holidays via the Internet.