APPRENTICE IN ACTION
Apprenticeships aren’t just a great option for young people looking to get their foot in the travel door – they can be beneficial to the industry too, writes Alice Barnes-Brown
An apprenticeship provides a valuable opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience in the travel industry. The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas), a membership organisation that brings together tour operators, expedition cruise companies and tourist boards with travel agents to help promote growth in the adventure travel sector, took on its first apprentice last year. We spoke to apprentice Evie Sutherland and Atas director Claire Brighton about their experiences of the apprenticeship, the travel industry and how the relationship has helped them both to grow in their roles.
environment. I also didn’t want to go straight into a job because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
How did you discover this apprenticeship opportunity? I found it on the government’s ‘Search apprenticeships’ website while I was in sixth form. I scrolled through the vacancies, looking for something that would interest me. I spotted this apprenticeship and it sounded up my street, so I applied.
Evie Sutherland content executive, Atas
What’s your background? In sixth form, I studied travel and tourism, media and business. I never knew I wanted a career in travel, but knew I didn’t want to go to university or college because I had become bored with the school
Does the working environment feel like a good fit for you? It was a challenge coming straight from school into my first work environment. But once I was in the office, it was quite an easy transition. It’s a relaxed environment and a lot of fun. I’m able to talk to everyone and that’s a great way to learn, because I can bounce ideas off people.
Apprentice Evie and mentor Claire work together to host an Atas event for touring and adventure travel specialists in Morocco
What have you learnt from the apprenticeship?
Vital communication skills, plus this job has brought out my confidence. I’m involved in a lot of meetings for Atas – we have a travel agent advisory board and I can listen and see what our agents want from us or what we could do differently. I’ve gone into board meetings too, which is great experience for me.
How do you think the apprenticeship has set you up for a career in travel? I’ve been an apprentice for a year, so I feel I have a head start on people coming out of university. I also have a year’s worth of connections and networking, which is important in the travel industry. These skills are all transferable – you can go anywhere in this industry if you have confidence and want to talk to people about travel.
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