Multi-skilled workforce to continue travel industry growth
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Travel agencies, tour operators and distribution services need to work with colleges and training services to develop customer service driven, technology capable workers for the future, a new report has said.
The study from People 1st found 64% of companies that had ‘hard to fill’ vacancies had struggled due to applicants not having the right skills set, including those who had taken travel and tourism specific college courses.
The report outlined how colleges should work with companies to create a curriculum relevant for going into work; while once they had a job it was important in-house training reflected a particular standard or qualification.
Around a third of the travel service industry is thought to be under 30 and People 1st has now launched a new website, www.careersthatmove.co.uk, in an attempt to bridge the gap between college leavers and the needs of companies looking to employ.
In addition with the internet now crucial to business the workforce would need a multi-skilled approach with product knowledge, customer service and technology skills at the heart.
“There are plenty of travel programmes available for people wanting to join the industry, but our research has highlighted the need for all colleges to promote the full breadth of careers available in the travel services industry,” said Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st. “This will help employers find the staff that they need and, if the employers are fully engaged in the development of the course content, the colleges are also going to be able to give the learners the skills they will need in the workplace.”
Out of the travel service companies questioned by People 1st 35% were confident their workforce would grow in the next three to five years, showing positive signs after a 17% drop in those employed by the sector in 2011 year-on-year (now 74,500).
Consolidation and cuts had led to a drop in those employed by the sector, which has also seen travel agency managers and proprietors see a 20% decrease in salaries.
The optimism behind employment was off the back of a 2% rise in the number of travel service businesses in the last 12 months after a previous dip between 2009 and 2011.
The report found there are now 9, 270 ‘travel services’ businesses in the UK and contributed 38% more to the UK economy in 2011 at GBP6.24 billion.
The industry appeared to be optimistic despite concerns around consumer spending, with 46% posting a sales increase in the last 12 months compared to 16% seeing a decline and 62% were optimistic for the year ahead.
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