A newly formed organisation, Network Next Generation, is
aiming to address one of the business travel industry’s “most pressing
challenges” – the recruitment of future generations of employees.
Established by David Clare, the UK-based organisation will
bring employers, mentors, educators and students together through a series of
events, learning experiences and digital content designed to “break down
barriers and highlight the global possibilities offered by a career in the
travel sector”.
“The UK travel sector is facing a silent crisis that risks
impacting the whole industry deeply if not addressed in a coordinated way,”
said Clare, who is also managing director of The Business Travel Network and recently
completed a five-year stint as events manager at the Business Travel
Association.
Clare added: “The
evidence is clear that Gen Z and Generation Alpha are significantly different
to previous generations entering the workforce; they were born in the digital
age, and have a significantly different outlook on sustainability, diversity
and inclusion, the use of technology in their lives, and work-life balance. The
knowledge and experience of travel employers in this area is patchy at best and
we aim to change that”.
The endeavour has been endorsed by
a number of industry leaders, including Abby Penston, founder of myexec.uk and
previously CEO of the Focus Travel Partnership. “The
industry is stronger when we collaborate,” said Penston. “It’s time we take
shared responsibility to ensure we’re not only developing future talent but
also listening to and learning from them. This isn’t just good for business,
it’s essential for survival.”
Mel Phaure, founder of Blue Cube
Travel, applauded the launch for “not only having the foresight but the drive
and passion that’s required to drive change within our industry and future
proof it with the next generation of travel professionals.”
Phaure noted that the business
travel industry “still falls under the radar” with young people “spending up to
five years at college or university studying travel and tourism and still coming
out not knowing a thing about corporate travel”.
An official launch event for Network Next Generation will take
place in London this September.