Start your career
Thereās plenty of information out there that will help you learn more about the industry, discover training courses and find the right role for you
Trade association
Abta, the UKās largest travel trade association, works across all parts of the industry and plays a key role in supporting future talent. Its education arm provides advice on apprenticeships, T Levels and wider career pathways, alongside resources on recruitment and industry trends.
Through its education partner scheme, Abta links universities, colleges and training providers with travel businesses, creating opportunities for career development and networking.
It also runs a regional student representative programme, where learners are paired with experienced industry mentors who can offer them professional insight and guidance.
Aviation programmes
Jet2 has invested in a training centre near Manchester Airport, providing specialist pathways in roles ranging from cabin crew to engineering and ground operations.
Meanwhile, Tuiās new 19-month Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) Cadet Programme offers candidates with little or no flying experience the opportunity to train intensively and join the airline as Boeing 737 cadet pilots.
Training and resources
The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership is a charity dedicated to helping young people worldwide build the skills and experience needed to succeed in travel and tourism careers. It provides a free āintroduction to the industryā course and has recently added courses in responsible tourism, cultural heritage and travel tech.
For flexible, self-paced learning, Online Travel Training (OTT) offers a wide range of free courses spanning destinations, cruise, sustainability, aviation and more.
The Civil Aviation Authority has joined forces with Springpod, a careers platform supporting social mobility, to deliver a week-long virtual work experience for 15-18-year-olds. The programme gives an introduction to aerospace and aviation through interactive sessions and insights from industry experts.
Anyone considering a career in the skies can look to the Aviation Industry Skills Board, which is committed to opening doors for young people and career-changers. Its leadership brings together many of the UKās top aviation organisations. aisb.uk
Stay updated
Travel Weekly, the UKās leading travel trade magazine and website, offers free access to daily news, in-depth features and expert analysis online. It also hosts a dedicated jobs board featuring opportunities across the travel and hospitality sector nationwide. travelweekly.co.uk
Picture credit: Shutterstock/Nasih Afidin, Shutterstock/PeopleImages