Clarity Travel is celebrating with Damar Training on the completion of the Travel Consultant Apprenticeship programme for ten of the TMC’s apprentices.
Clarity says it was one of the first employers in the country to recruit people under the new Travel Consultant Apprenticeship Standard as part of its Brighter Beginnings programme. Damar was heavily involved in the creation of the standard and now partners with key industry bodies such as the GTMC and ABTA.
The programme helps travel firms to develop the skills of new and existing staff by building individuals’ knowledge across a range of areas including sustainability, geography, different travel products and relevant law and regulation. It is also designed to improve customer service and relationship-building skills.
Clarity now has ten apprentices that have completed the programme, making them some of the first people in the country to do so. Nine secured a merit, while Megan Hearn achieved a distinction. A further two apprentices are due to complete the programme over the coming weeks.
The TMC says it plans to recruit a further eight apprentices and will continue to develop its offering.
CEO Pat McDonagh said: “At Clarity, we are passionate about developing new and young talent and being directly involved in shaping the bright stars who will make up the future of our industry. To be the first travel management company to embrace the programme shows our commitment to developing and mentoring staff who will one day lead the next generation. We are already reaping rewards in terms of the calibre of people we’re bringing in to our organisation.”
Neil Wainwright-Farrar, learning and development manager at the TMC, added: “It is fantastic that our Brighter Beginnings Apprenticeship programme has huge recognition both internally and externally across our competitors. To be one of the first travel employers to have apprentices successfully complete the new Travel Consultant Apprentices is a great credit to the learners, Damar and Clarity.”
Jonathan Bourne, managing director of Damar Training, commented: “We are delighted by the success of the Clarity programme. Seeing the first apprentice travel consultants now successfully completing and embarking on their careers in an exciting and important sector for our economy shows the difference that apprenticeships can make to individuals. The fact that Clarity are recruiting again this year underscores the value of the travel consultant apprenticeship to business.”
Jeanie Logan, the apprentices’ Damar trainer, added: “It has been amazing to work with the apprentices and see them grow from school leavers entering the world of work for the first time to fully-fledged business travel consultants, all with permanent roles within Clarity. They have all worked incredibly hard and their success is testament to their dedication.”
claritybusinesstravel.com; damartraining.com