The Travel Village Group has taken on two more apprentices, who have joined the agency’s first two apprentices who made their debut in summer 2022.
Amelia Bonney and Lewis Griffiths have just started with the Blackpool agency, following in the footsteps of Millie Jackson and Annie Shaw who joined a year ago.
The agency is working with the Northern Training Academy, which is known for its strong emphasis on practical training.
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A statement from TVG said: “At the Travel Village Group we’re proud to champion new talent and encourage the next generation to consider the travel industry as one of the best industries to work within.”
Amelia Bonney started earlier this month, after having studied travel and tourism for the past five years at high school and college.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to work within the travel industry, but I was never too keen to work in sales. Fortunately for me, there’s more to travel than being a travel agent,” she said.
“This apprenticeship is allowing me to work in an industry that I love, whilst also being in a department that I find interesting: marketing.
“I’m excited to learn more about what’s involved; discover how I can utilise and hone my skills, and prove that I can be an incredible asset to the business.
“Everyone at the Travel Village Group has been so welcoming and helpful; and I couldn’t be more grateful to work here. I look forward to my future career here.”
Lewis Griffiths started in May after Daniel Turner, group IT manager called him for an interview.
“The role he offered me combined my love of technology and helping people; so this played a major factor in me coming to work at Travel Village Group,” said Griffiths.
“IT is definitely the field I would like to stay in, and advance within. Since joining in May 2023, everybody at TVG has been very welcoming.
“The team are always willing to answer any questions I have, and the opportunity to work for such a caring family business is definitely something that doesn’t come around often.”
Millie Jackson was the first TVG apprentice when she started in June 2022, after her travel and tourism Btec course at Blackpool Sixth Form College. Her apprenticeship is a Level 3 business administration course, and she works within the Care Team.
“The course fits in well with my day-to-day job, which includes offering customer service to customers, and liaising with our tour operator partners,” she said.
“I have gained so much knowledge across the travel industry, on different travel companies and the products they offer.
“I find it amazing that I am able to get a qualification while doing a job I love. I have always had a passion for travel.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I have had…such as my first river cruise in April 2023.”
She was soon joined by Annie Shaw, who started July 2022 on a business administration apprenticeship after a travel and tourism college course.
“I have a tutor [from Northern Training Academy] who visits me each month, setting new coursework and targets for me to meet,” said Shaw.
“Having the apprentice scheme in place has allowed me to gain an understanding into how the VG business works, as well as providing me with opportunities to grow in my career.
“Working with the Travel Village Group has given me opportunities that I possibly wouldn’t have experienced in other placements… my favourite opportunity would be being invited on a Amadeus river cruise familiarisation trip.
“Being an apprentice, and new to the job, I didn’t think I would get an opportunity like this so soon, and it was my first time ever being on a ship.”
Pictured from left: Millie Jackson, Annie Shaw, Amelia Bonney and Lewis Griffiths