See Your Career Take Off with SERC’s New Travel Agency Development Programme

Through the Department of the Economy’s Skill Up programme and The Flexible Skills Fund, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have partnered with Selective Travel and Oasis Travel to provide a new Travel Agency Development Programme that includes an 8-week work placement, a weekly training allowance and a guaranteed job interview upon completion.

Commencing on 7 November the course consists of core components necessary for employment in the Leisure and Business Travel Agency industries and includes Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Business Skills, Presentation & Research Skills, Management Skills, Destination Planning as well as Preparation for Employment and Interview Skills.

Catherine Anderson, Deputy Head of School of Hospitality, Management, Tourism and Languages, says “I am delighted to invite applications for our new Travel Agency Development Programme, which has been developed to help bridge the gap between education and employment in this ever-growing sector.

"This 12-week training programme, including an 8-week work placement, is designed to embed essential skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the travel agency sector, for both leisure and business travel.”

Keith Graham, Managing Director of Selective Travel Management, adds “The skills shortage which has for so long been a concern within the travel sector has become even more serious post-pandemic, negatively impacting on the growth potential of local businesses and, more broadly, preventing Northern Ireland from benefitting fully from the long-term benefits generated by travel and tourism, still one of the world’s largest economic sectors.

“As one of the UK’s fastest-growing travel management companies, we are confident that Northern Ireland has the capacity to field the sort of talented, committed individuals which the global industry demands, but first we must equip them with the necessary skills.

“Through the new Corporate Travel Academy and in partnership with SERC, DfE and Oasis Travel, we’re proud to share our commitment to continuous learning and development with the next generation of travel professionals, introducing them not just to jobs but to fulfilling and rewarding careers in our exciting industry.”

Peter McCabe Director of Oasis Travel said “We think this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity. At Oasis Travel we are looking for individuals who demonstrate the ability and passion to work in leisure travel. They may be seeking entry to the workplace for the first time, or they may have experience providing customer service and now wish to re-skill to take a new direction. We will be offering career opportunities at the end of the course, giving suitable candidates the chance to join our Oasis Team”.

For more information, please contact SERC’s Flexible Skills Manager Deborah Scott
T: 07899958204
E: dscott@serc.ac.uk

Start Date: 7 November

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