New homeworking specialist Holiday Now is embarking on a recruitment drive to increase its workforce fourfold by July.
The company has recruited 20 homeworkers since its launch on March 29 this year but plans to take on a further 60 over the next two months.
A joint venture between Yorkshire-based Sunwin Travel, part of the Co-op Travel Group, and Leisure Network Solutions, Holiday Now has set a target of more than 300 homeworkers and a turnover of £50m within three years.
The roadshows will take place at all major cities in the UK, kicking off in Edinburgh on June 9 and culminating in Nottingham on June 24.
Applicants must have at least two years experience in an ABTAagency within the last five years and good customer and sales skills.
Successful candidates will be expected to pay a joining fee of £595 plus VAT to set themselves up at as a homeworker receive a pc, two incoming telephone lines and access to the late-booking system Comtec. However, the company is currently offering an introductory fee of £250 plus VAT for an undisclosed period.
Like rival homeworking companies Instant Holidays and Travel Counsellors, Holiday Now advertises late holidays through newspapers or Teletext but adverts are also planned through the Holiday Now Internet site and digital TV.
The company claims it differs from rivals in that it complies with the minimum wage ruling, guaranteeing agents an average wage of £3.60 an hour.
Operations manager Rachael Birks said: “Our agents will inevitably earn more than that but it gives them some security knowing we comply with the minimum wage. They will also be entitled to four weeks paid holiday.”
Under the terms of the contract, agents can earn up to 50% commission on each sale if they generate their own business while those who achieve sales via advertisements on Teletext will earn 30%commission. Birks estimates that agents will earn an average of £15,000 a year based on 30 hrs a week although she believes that high earners will bring home as much as £30,000.