Travel industry ‘doesn’t value’ academic qualifications
Recruiters in the travel industry continue to value experience over qualifications, according to recent research.
The study, carried out by Northumbria University found that 44% of travel employers sampled viewed apprentice experience as producing the best employees, despite the fact that 70% of those surveyed were graduates themselves.
The ABTA-funded survey was conducted over the internet by Bridget Major and Nigel Evans of Northumbria University’s Centre for Travel and Tourism in Newcastle Business School. It was sent to 5,000 travel employers including agents, travel technology companies, operators.
Ms Major told TravelMole: “It is evident from the research that many employers are unaware of the benefits of recruiting a student with a degree in travel and tourism management. Raising industry awareness of the potential value of recruiting a travel and tourism management graduate is an important future area to address.”
According to the research, more than 2,700 students were accepted on tourism based courses in 2001, but the travel services sector only recruits 8.3% of its staff from
higher education.
Ms Major told TravelMole that graduates who don’t get jobs in travel and tourism move into other sectors where starting salaries are higher and career progression opportunities are more evident.
According to the survey, more than 85% of respondants said they did not offer a graduate training scheme. Bearing this in mind, the survey’s authors recommend that companies be encouraged to develop effective graduate training schemes and potential graduate career progression paths.
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