virgin holidays apprenticeships


the region to grow and so build the local economy, demonstrating how Virgin Holidays puts its customers and the communities it works with at the heart of its commitment to do things differently. In 2013, it was once again voted Best Overall Tour Operator to the USA, Canada and the Caribbean at the prestigious, consumer- voted, British Travel Awards.


As its number of destinations has grown, so has the number of customers that choose Virgin Holidays. In 1986, the company carried just over 14,000 passengers; by 2010 that had grown to nearly half a million people. In recent years, Virgin


Holidays has diversified into cruise retailing, luxury breaks, touring and great-value family holidays


by acquiring travel businesses. It has also broadened its distribution footprint, grown its digital presence, reinforced key travel partnerships and opened more than 120 retail outlets across the UK and Ireland as standalone stores or concessions within department stores – something it celebrated by establishing 100 young apprenticeships.


Virgin Holidays introduced its apprenticeship scheme in 2012 to celebrate the opening of its 100th retail outlet. The scheme has since been expanded to encompass back-office roles at the Virgin Holidays head office in Crawley, including those in marketing, HR and finance. Operated in conjunction with the City of London Corporation, it is open to 16 to 24-year-olds, with each apprenticeship combining a salaried role as a sales consultant with tutor-led study towards a fully accredited vocational qualification within 12 months. Many of those who have completed their apprenticeship have since been offered the opportunity to work for Virgin Holidays full time.


Chloe Taylor, a 21-year-old from Romford, was one of the first intake. During her induction period she was trained on Virgin’s booking systems and learned about its values and ethos. She said: “This scheme is a fantastic way to learn the skills to succeed. The training has been great, and instilled the confidence and enthusiasm I’ll need.”


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