Apprenticeship reforms welcomed Juliet Dennis


Industry education experts say government reforms of adult apprenticeships will open up training opportunities to more staff and attract newcomers to the sector. Training providers and Abta


welcomed the government’s decision to remove the mandatory requirement for functional skills exams in maths and English for apprentices over 19 without equivalent qualifications. Businesses will now be able to


decide whether adult learners need to complete a Level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) to pass their apprenticeship. Alison Wells, senior director of


talent solutions at BPP Education Group, said the change “aligns perfectly” with the sector’s need for “rapid skills development”. “These reforms offer a chance


to build more agile, skills-focused development programmes,” she said, adding: “We encourage travel firms to take a fresh look at how they can leverage these opportunities – not just for new starters but also their current workforce.” Damar Training managing


director Jonathan Bourne said the reforms removed “a barrier to success”, adding apprentices could still access free training towards maths and English qualifications. “This makes it a ‘win win’ for employers and apprentices: free


Fred Olsen Travel may open academy to existing staff


Juliet Dennis


Fred Olsen Travel is considering broadening the scope of its in-house training academy to help upskill existing staff across its 23 branches. Currently, 15 recruits are either


in training or have completed courses through the Fred Olsen Travel Academy, set up in late 2023, including eight staff from outside the travel sector and seven apprentices. Academy manager Sharne Algar


hailed the first 18 months of the academy as a success, with some recruits already strong or top-selling agents at the chain, which is aiming to expand further this year to meet


6 20 FEBRUARY 2025


a target of 25 stores by 2025 set by retail director Paul Hardwick. “The academy is running


exactly how we expected it to and we are constantly looking at ways to develop it,” said Algar. “The recruits are doing


fantastically well. Some have become top sellers in their branches and really progressed.” Algar is now considering


widening the remit of the agency’s training to help existing staff who want to progress up the career ladder. “I am having conversations


about training to upskill staff and offer leadership courses,” she said. “There are always opportunities


This could open up opportunities for travel firms, particularly those looking to recruit for entry-level roles


support where it is beneficial without the pressure to pass the exams to complete the apprenticeship,” he said. Abta head of education and career


development Vicki Wolf said members had reacted positively to the news. “It will make things easier,”


she noted, citing examples of staff dropping out of apprenticeships because of the need for a maths and English qualification.


She added: “You often have


situations where people don’t need maths or English in their job and are terrified of doing this qualification, or someone who does maths in their job but can’t find their GCSE certificate, so has to resit maths.” A further government proposal to


reduce the minimum legal duration of an apprenticeship from 12 months to eight months was welcomed as a way to help short-term contract workers achieve qualifications and attract newcomers to the sector. Bourne said: “This could open up


more opportunities for travel firms, particularly those looking to recruit 16-18-year-olds into entry-level roles.” Wolf agreed, noting: “It will make it very attractive to work in travel.”


Sharne Algar (second left) and Paul Hardwick with some of the Travel Academy members and apprentices


to develop and invest in our existing employees.” The academy, created following


a partnership with AS Training, currently offers a three-month intensive, classroom-based course for recruits from outside the industry who have transferable skills and a one-year Level 3 travel consultant apprenticeship course. So far, two apprentices have passed


– one with a distinction – and another is about to complete her course. The success of apprentices in stores


is also encouraging the company to take a more open-minded approach.


Algar added: “As branches see the


success other branches are having with apprentices, they become more likely to take them on. “Hopefully we will be able to take


more on as the year progresses.” The intensive course is followed


by ‘blended’ learning, including work in store, ship visits and fam trips. Recruits range from a former


teaching assistant who worked abroad to someone who previously worked in a funeral parlour. “We are always looking for talent.


We look for a strong customer service background,” said Algar.


travelweekly.co.uk


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