Travel is a part of life. Whether it's travelling to work, travelling for holidays, or travelling for friends and families, it's a critical feature of modern society. Over 10% of all employees globally are associated with travel so to see the impacts the pandemic has had on the industry is alarming.

 

At Mitre, we love travel. Our team are made up of ex-Travel Industry colleagues and travel fanatics. We decided to put our heads together to work out what, as an educational training provider, we can do to play our part in supporting travel organisations.

 

Over the past 12 months we’ve been working on expanding our apprenticeship portfolio and as of January 2022, we’ll be offering the Travel Consultant Apprenticeship Programme.

 

How Can an Apprenticeship Programme Help?

 

A result of the pandemic for travel agencies and tour operators has in some cases been an inevitable reduction in staff numbers; valuable experience which can be hard to rebuild.

 

As bookings and confidence in the industry returns, travel organisations will be dealing with the pent-up demand for travel. That may mean rebuilding through recruitment.

 

Here’s where Mitre can step in.

 

Finding new staff with the expert travel knowledge can be challenging. But what if the perfect candidate applies for a role, without travel experience?

 

The Travel Consultant Apprenticeship Programme can step in here. It’s a 12-month training programme that will equip new staff within depth knowledge of the Travel Consultant role, giving them a fast-track pass to becoming an efficient and successful member of your team. What’s more, they’ll have access to an industry mentor to support them through their first year of learning, someone they can rely on for advice and guidance as well as the support afforded to them by their Manager.

 

What will they learn?

 

The programme is made up of 12 Modules;

1. Geography

2. Travel Information

3. Industry Practice

4. Travel and Transport Options

5. Products and Service

6. Knowing Your Customers

7. Legal and Compliance

8. Travel Technology

9. Business and Sales Techniques

10. Teamwork and Performance Management

11. Communication

12. Sustainability

Right now, Apprenticeships are the most heavily funded training programmes available to businesses and their staff.

 

What are the Government Levy and Incentives?

 

Apprenticeships are 95% funded by the government. To put that in context, the cost of the Travel Consultant Apprenticeship Programme is £7,000 however, it’ll only cost your business £350 per staff member (Free if you’re organisation has a payroll of more than £3,000,000).

 

There’s more; If your organisation enrols a new staff member onto an Apprenticeship Programme by January 31st 2022 then you will benefit from the current Government Apprenticeship Incentive, providing employers with up to £4,000 per staff member as a bonus.

 

+ £3,000: Receive £3,000 from the Government for recruiting a new staff member and enrolling them onto an Apprenticeship programme, regardless of age. (deadline 31st January 2022)

 

+ £1,000: If the recruit is aged 16 – 18, you’ll receive an additional £1,000, totalling £4,000.

 

I’m looking for someone experienced, not an Apprentice….

 

Apprenticeships are commonly misunderstood. In fact, there’s now over 700 professional standards to support individuals into meaningful careers.

 

- There is no age limit to access an Apprenticeship

 

- Provided the Apprenticeship will provide new knowledge, they can have any previous experience (including educational degrees, management experience…)

 

- The job offer is up to you to decide. The salary, for example, is at your own discretion provided it meets the minimum wage for an Apprentice.

 

If you’re involved in travel; share the word! This programme may not only help individuals into incredible roles within the travel industry but help business leaders to rebuild talented and experienced teams whilst benefitting from cash incentives available from the government.

 

Mitre Group also run an extensive Level 3 Marketing Assistant programme, as well as leadership and management programmes at Level 3 and level 5 to support the next wave of industry leaders into their new roles.

 

Let Mitre help you to build travel back together. Contact us now.

Apprenticeships are normally associated with manufacturing trades but there is no reason why the travel industry should not participate utilising comprehensive education programs available from a variety of sources including ABTA. The Government currently have grants that help with the funding  and we spoke to one of the UK's leading companies in this field , the Mitre Group, who offer a turnkey package.

Click here for video

 

If you have ever been considering hiring an apprentice then there has never been a better time!

 

The government have announced they are extending the apprenticeship incentive!

 

What does that mean for you?

 

If you're an employer you can hire a new staff member as an apprentice with Mitre and you get £3,000-£4,000.

 

There are no catches, that's it!

 

What do I have to do?

 

All you need is to hire a new apprentice who hasn't been on your payroll in the last 6 months and their first day of employment must be before January 31st 2022. So what are you waiting for?! Get your adverts out now and get hiring!

 

Payment?

 

Now the bigger question, how will you get paid and how much will you get paid?

 

You will get £3,000 for a new hire apprentice. The extra £1,000 is for if your apprentice is

• 16-18 years old on there first day of hire or

• under 25 and has an educational, health and care plan or has been in the care of their local authority

 

You will be paid in two equal instalments the first when the apprentice has completed 90 days of their apprenticeship and the second when they have completed 365 days.

 

This payment can be used on anything to help your organisation with costs. This could be uniforms, the apprentices salary ect.

  Job Interviews.   No two are the same.   There's always different questions, different approaches, and the rest!   However, don't fear! Our team have some top tips for you to help you nail any interview...  

1. Research and Prepare

  Make sure you have researched the company and know as much as you can about them and what they do!   "Do you know much about our company or shall we give you a brief introduction?"   This is a very common interview question and will likely be one of the first questions you will be asked. Demonstrate you're interest in the job by showcasing everything you've learned from your research.   Remember, the interviewers work for your potential employers so don't make things up on the spot... make sure you have researched in full detail!   As well as the company, be sure to research the job, know what your roles and responsibilities will be as the interviewers will definitely ask you questions like...   "Why do you think you are suited to this role and what experience you have which will make you suited to those responsibilities? Why do you want this job? Why do you think you're well suited for this role?"   Be confident that you're answering this question with the criteria they will want to hear, and even better, have pre-prepared examples to back them up! They are probably the most important questions of the interview.   Following on from that thought:  

2. Know the person specification!

  On a job advert an employer will list a person specification. This will have details of the personal qualities they are seeking from their new employee. Make sure you know these and relate back to them in some way. You should be displaying how you are the perfect fit of that specification.   The person specification will form the basis of the interview questions as it describes the perfect person for the role. They're trying to find out if you are that person! So know it and make sure you're constantly referring to points they have stated they want in a candidate.   But how else can you prepare? Research yourself! Study your CV, know what you included on your CV, as you may have changed your CV to tailor the job you're applying for! It is really clear to an employer when an interviewee is not aware of what they can bring to the role. With that in mind...  

3. Skill Stories

  These are anecdotes from previous experience where you have learnt and/or developed a skill that will help you in your new employment. Have these ready! Again, go to the person specification and job description - this will have the skills they want and will ask about. Have a skill story that includes as many examples as possible - they wont ask for an example for every skill so get as my into the one one they do ask! This way, if they ask about team work, for example, and you mention leadership, research and customer service then you are showing you have those skills as well - 2 birds, 1 stone!  

4. No such thing as a weakness

  One of the most common interview questions is   "What are your greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses?"   Prepare for this one, it will come up!   Here's the trick - Don't say an actual weakness! If you sit in front of an employer and tell them you are a poor time keeper and are not motivated you are not getting the job!   Biggest weakness doesn't exist, it should be called the area you most want to develop!   For example, if you have had a job that hasn't given many (if at all) opportunities for leadership say that! But make sure you make it clear it is an area you want to develop but you have been unable to do due to lack of opportunity, as that is something you cannot help. Your future employer will be mighty impressed!  

5. Outfit.

  What you wear makes a big impact and can instantly form a good impression of you. If you're ever not sure, remember it's better to be overdressed than under dressed! My personal opinion is to always go in a suit, even if you think you'll be overdressed, it shows you care and have put effort into how you are perceived and take the job seriously.   So you've done all the prep and now you're at the interview; now what...  

6. Be There Early

  Never has the phrase "being on time is late" been more important than for an interview - Especially if you have written that you are punctual on your CV! Be there 10 minutes early, minimum!  

7. The Start

  When does an interview start? When you sit down? When you shake hands? No! When you walk through the front doors of reception!   Everything you do in the building is part of the interview. It is not uncommon for the interviewer to ask the receptionist or those who you have had encounters with before them how you conducted yourself before the interview.  

8. Body Language Is Key

  When you walk in the room make sure you shake hands with the interviewers. How you sit conveys a lot about yourself to the interviewer, it shows level of interest, so make sure you sit up straight make eye contact. Sitting back, slouching and staring into space does not give a good impression at all!   Confidence is key and your body language is such an important part. If you have done the research you will come across confident in your voice and just make sure your body language is helping you tell them the full story!  

9. How do you structure your answers?

  Using the C.A.R model you cannot go wrong!   C is for context. A is for Action. R is for result.   Context means the examples, the anecdote. In this section you should also talk about the skills you have gained from the situation.   Action means what you did and how you were successful. What did you do to make sure you achieved what you needed to? This is important!   Result means what was the outcome that was caused by your actions. And most importantly what did you learn!  

10. Ask them questions!

  The interview is as much for you to ask them questions as it is for them! If there's anything you want clarifying or you'd like to know more about!   In 99% of cases, the interviewer will always end their interviews with...   "Have you got any questions you would like to ask us?"   Always have one prepared! Why not ask....   "Are there any opportunities for development?"   They may be looking for someone to stay in the company a long time... by asking about these topics you are telling them you are looking for a career with them rather than a stepping stone and immediately be ahead of the opposition!   These are our top tips to nail a job interview, we hope these help you in getting your dream job!