Jet2holidays is providing an extra £150,000 on top of almost £500,000 of apprenticeship funding previously agreed to help independent travel agents develop the next generation of talent.
The availability of £500,000-worth of apprenticeship funds via a levy transfer to help independent agent partners develop their workforces was unveiled in October.
The operator revealed today that it is providing an additional £150,000 to help fund the salaries of new apprentices for a year across more than 30 agencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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As well as helping to fund salaries of new apprentices for a year, the £150,000 will also provide bespoke training and support to help with the development of apprentices.
The fresh funding follows the transfer of almost £500,000 in apprenticeship levy funds to agents, after a “phenomenal” response to the operator’s ‘Appoint an Apprentice’ scheme.
The levy funds have been earmarked to enable partners to recruit dedicated apprentices into their businesses, meaning they can bring in new talent whilst retaining and developing their workforce.
The £500,000 is being transferred across 50 companies, funding almost 100 new apprentices.
Many of the independent agencies are classed as small businesses and this will be the first time that many have recruited apprentices.
Independents such as Cumbria Travel, Now Lets Travel and Sunlounger Travel are now beginning the process of recruiting apprentices.
Jet2holidays will hold an event at its commercial offices in Leeds to support these apprentices, with more details to be announced in due course, according to the company.
The popularity of the scheme means that demand outstripped the funds available.
Chef executive Steve Heapy said: “We have been truly amazed by the response from independent travel agents to our Appoint an Apprentice scheme.
“The volume of applications shows how just much our partners want to grow and develop their workforces, and Jet2holidays is proud to be supporting them by investing in their growth to help them bring through the next generation of talent.
“This is a fantastic way to start the new year, investing directly into our independent travel agency partners to help them grow their businesses and support our fantastic industry.
“As a business, we are totally committed to apprenticeships and today we are taking action to support small businesses to grow through apprenticeships, as well as increase the number of employers who are offering apprenticeships.”
Leanne Miller, from Cumbria Travel, said: “We are so delighted to have been given this fantastic opportunity to appoint an apprentice into our store. It is such a great initiative from Jet2holidays and will ensure the ongoing growth of our business, as well as bringing a new generation of talent into our amazing industry.”
Iain Kirkbright, of Sunlounger Travel, said: “We fully understand the benefits that an apprentice can bring to our business having invested in the scheme in other stores. Jet2holidays offering this fantastic initiative will allow us to further invest in the scheme and help bring on the next generation of travel talent.”
Paul Johnstone, from Now Lets Travel, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as one of the agents to benefit from this fantastic Jet2holidays scheme giving a young person an opportunity to shine in this exciting industry. This will ultimately help us to grow our sales and our workforce.”
More: Jet2 named as supporters of National Apprenticeship Week
Jet2 to pay up to £5K towards salaries of agency apprentices
Jet2 offers trade partners slice of £500,000 apprenticeship funds