Travel industry demands more apprenticeship funding

09 Feb 2010

Anyone taking a travel course will be encouraged by the industry''s support for apprenticeships.

Travel industry experts have urged the next government to establish a dedicated skills academy and increase funding for apprenticeships in the sector.

The issues have been raise at the UKinbound Convention - an industry conference attracting hundreds of delegates from across the sector.

Speaking at the UKinbound convention, Lord Jones of Birmingham, former minister of state for UK trade & investment, said: "The one thing I would ask an incoming government of either party to do is put more money into small businesses who will take on an apprentice.

"Small businesses can''t afford to do it, but they could afford to do it if they provided the classification and your taxes and my takes pay for it – that adds wealth to the nation – it is investment."

Research by People 1st recently found that four in ten employers in the industry believe that taking on an apprentice is more productive than hiring new staff.

ICS offers a number of hospitality and travel courses that could be the start of a route towards an apprenticeships and a career in the industry.

Posted by Caroline Eades