Travel Places training initiative accelerates growth of new talent

Travel Places’ new training initiative has helped to expand our team, with three new starters joining our music, events and F1 divisions.

As the leading travel management company for the sports, media and entertainment industry, we currently employ almost 90 people from our offices in Worthing.

Driven by a need to meet growing demand in our travel management services for the sports, entertainment and media sectors, our academy training programme is helping us to address a UK-wide recruitment challenge for the travel industry and further expand our team.

Following a successful pilot, we launched our training academy programme earlier this year, inviting applicants to join us in September. Having successfully completed the intensive six-week classroom training, our academy trainees have gained vital knowledge of the systems, tools and expertise needed to work and develop in the travel industry. They are now receiving hands-on training alongside some of the most experienced travel experts in the country.

Putting their training to work whilst being mentored by experienced team members, the trainees will now learn the skills for their permanent role, getting the world’s top sports teams, media companies, and musicians to the biggest sporting and entertainment events across the globe.

Matt Wood, Travel Places Learning and Performance Manager, explained that the academy programme has helped to address the labour and recruitment challenges that have existed in the travel industry post-pandemic: “By developing an academy training programme, we are creating exciting opportunities for newcomers to join our industry. Not only does it give a foot in the door for anyone who has dreamed of a career in travel, but it is also enabling us to grow our team by developing our own talent.

“We’re delighted to welcome Chloe, Steve and Georgie to Travel Places – all three have come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a range of skills that will equip them for a brilliant future in travel.”

After leaving University with a travel and tourism degree, Chloe Boniface, one of our academy trainees, says she found it surprisingly difficult to find a way into a career in the travel industry: “The Travel Places Academy gave me the opportunity to get my foot in the door, and to receive the relevant GDS training – something that very few companies seem to offer.

“Matt Wood and all the other staff members here have been nothing but kind and supportive, and the office always has a great atmosphere. I would 100% recommend the Academy to anyone who wants to kick-start their career in travel.”

Another of our trainees, Georgie Hegarty, echoed these comments: “The Travel Places Academy has been a great opportunity and experience. Matt is an amazing trainer and has been so supportive throughout and Travel Places is such a lovely place to work. I would highly recommend the academy to anyone thinking of starting a career in travel.”

Like Georgie, Steve Scott, has been able to use the academy to kickstart into a career in a different industry. He said: “The academy is a great mix of classroom and on-the-job training, acting as a stepping stone for those, like myself, who have come from outside of the travel industry. Everyone at Travel Places has been so welcoming from day one, making my experience all the better.”

Our vibrant, exciting and inclusive industry is a career of choice for many young people starting out, or those looking to train in something new. Whether you are currently working in another industry and looking for a career change, or a college leaver or University graduate taking the first steps in your career, the Travel Places Academy is open to anyone with a passion or interest for travel and sports or music.

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of business travel superstars when we open our next academy intake. Register your interest here: www.travelplaces.co.uk/academy