3 Routes into travel with ABTA

Careers guide

3 Routes into travel with ABTA

Abta, The Travel Association, is a trade organisation supporting those working the travel industry, from travel agents to tour operators. It has more than 70 years’ experience helping members to develop successful businesses and is recognised as a leader in the industry, ensuring those booking holidays abroad are in safe hands. As one of the most trusted brands in travel, Abta is well-positioned to help future travel professionals through training, events, apprenticeship opportunities and more, and encourages its members and partners to offer internships,

1. Education and progression

Learning and the development of future skills for the travel industry are central to Abta’s strategic goals. Since 2014, universities and colleges have been able to join as Abta Education Partners, with 14 currently listed on its education hub. This allows the faculty to connect with Abta members and helps students gain a better understanding of the issues affecting the industry and the opportunities provided by a travel career.

Education Partners can also take part in the Abta student representative programme, which matches one or two students from Abta’s partner institutions with an Abta member for virtual mentoring sessions. These sessions are invaluable for both students and mentors, enabling them to explore opportunities and gain insight into working in travel. Many of Abta’s previous student representatives have gone on to work in a wide range of roles across the travel industry. 

Abta also has a popular programme of training and events which can be booked by all – whether members, non-members or partners.

2. Abta summer internship

Learning and the development of future skills for the travel industry are central to Abta’s strategic goals. Since 2014, universities and colleges have been able to join as Abta Education Partners, with 14 currently listed on its education hub. This allows the faculty to connect with Abta members and helps students gain a better understanding of the issues affecting the industry and the opportunities provided by a travel career.

Education Partners can also take part in the Abta student representative programme, which matches one or two students from Abta’s partner institutions with an Abta member for virtual mentoring sessions. These sessions are invaluable for both students and mentors, enabling them to explore opportunities and gain insight into working in travel. Many of Abta’s previous student representatives have gone on to work in a wide range of roles across the travel industry. 

Abta also has a popular programme of training and events which can be booked by all – whether members, non-members or partners.

3. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have always been a key way of attracting skilled individuals into the travel industry. These range from sector-specific roles including aviation and travel consultant apprenticeships, to wide-ranging areas such as IT, engineering, digital marketing, HR and finance.

And they aren’t just for school-leavers – apprenticeships are also suited to existing staff, while degree apprenticeships offer a chance to gain on-the-ground experience while earning a degree-level qualification.

Abta has always supported apprenticeships and is represented on the Aviation Industry Skills Board, which oversees aviation and travel apprenticeships and skills, and works closely with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Skills.

For members, Abta has an apprenticeship training provider partner which can advise and assist with apprenticeship queries. Apprentices must reach an industry-recognised level to qualify, which includes a formal assessment.

Travel Industry Skills Working Group

Abta has played a key role in recent months in developing new qualifications suited to the modern travel industry. The previous government’s reforms of post-16 education were set to defund Level 3 travel and tourism courses – among other Level 3 qualifications – but Abta joined with academics and other tourism organisations and associations to respond to the proposed changes.

By uniting this group and consulting with both members and the wider industry, Abta was able to advise on key themes for a future Level 3 technical qualification in travel and tourism. It also helped link NCFE, the awarding body working on the new qualification, with key industry players. The group continues to focus on improving and advising on current and future skills needed in the travel industry.

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