Tourism industry to get support for apprentices
Small and medium-sized travel companies are to be encouraged to take on apprentices as part of a government initiative.
It is exploring the possibility of a new Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) specifically for tourism ‘to help bring through the next wave of talent’.
The tourism sector has been invited to put forward their views on piloting an ATA following this week’s meeting of the Tourism Council, which was set up last year to look at ways to improve employment in the sector.
The Tourism Council is jointly chaired by tourism minister Helen Grant, skills minister Nick Boles and president for EMEA at Hilton Worldwide Simon Vincent and consists of representatives from the travel and tourism industry.
A bespoke tourism ATA would look at ways apprentices could experience training at a number of different businesses at the same time as supporting small and medium-sized businesses to take on apprentices.
The Tourism Council is also spearheading a week-long social media push to help showcase career opportunities.
The social media drive, launched yesterday to coincide with English Tourism Week, is using the hashtags #TourismCareers and #MyTourismJob.
Part of the campaign includes running a competition via @dcms (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) where people will have the chance to shadow senior figures from Tourism Council members. This includes Hilton, Easyjet, Expedia and Eurostar.
Grant said: “The government is completely committed to supporting and promoting the tourism sector. The industry plays a key role in our long-term economic plan and we want to help showcase the great opportunities that exist in the industry.
“The Tourism Council is a fantastic forum for the industry and Government to work together and come up with solutions that can help the sector continue to grow and thrive. The idea of a Tourism Apprenticeship Training Agency is one that I think we should explore and the Council will be interested in hearing the industry’s views on this.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025