Broaden your horizons with a career in travel; in association with publicjobswales.co.uk.Byline: By EMMA THOMPSON Emma Thompson (born 15 April 1959) is an Emmy-, BAFTA- and Academy Award-winning English actress, comedian, and screenwriter. She is also a patron of the Refugee Council. Biography Early life Thompson was born in Paddington, London, England. What does a career as a travel agent involve? Travel agents advise customers on business and leisure travel, as well as sell holidays. They may work in a high street travel agency or in a call centre. Your work would include helping customers to find a suitable package holiday or to plan independent travel, checking availability of the chosen holiday, making bookings using a computer system, collecting deposits, contacting customers when their tickets arrive and collecting final payments. You would also advise customers about passports, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations and extra excursions. What personal skills do you need? You will need the ability to cope under pressure at busy times, so good organisational skills, a good telephone manner and strong communication skills are essential. Sales skills, both face to face and over the telephone, plus IT skills and the ability to work well as a member of a team are also needed. What training do you need? You would not usually need any particular qualifications, although it may be useful if you have GCSEs (A-C) in subjects such as maths, English and geography. The most important thing is to be able to show employers that you are enthusiastic and have the right personal qualities and skills for the job. It could be an advantage if you have experience in customer services or sales. You may also find it helps if you are able to speak other languages. A college course could give you an advantage. Relevant courses include: BTEC BTEC Business and Technology Education Council (UK) BTEC Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (Raleigh, NC) BTEC Business Transformation Executive Committee First Diploma in Travel and Tourism; BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism; BTEC HNC/HND in Travel and Tourism Management and degrees in travel and tourism. You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. What are the opportunities for career progression? You would usually start as a trainee travel consultant and receive on-thejob training from your employer. This is likely to start with a short induction course induction course Noun a training course to help familiarize someone with a new job induction course n (BRIT) → cursillo introductorio or de iniciación . You may then be sent on further specialist training courses and educational visits. Once you have been in travel agency work for two years, you could gain recognition of your continuing professional development CPD is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives. by applying to join the Accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. Travel Professional Scheme (ATPS ATPS ambient temperature and pressure, saturated; denoting a volume of gas saturated with water vapor at ambient temperature and barometric pressure. ). What is the salary? (Guideline only) Starting at around pounds 13,000, experienced sales consultants can earn between pounds 15,000 and pounds 25,000, with senior posts around pounds 30,000. More information Accredited Travel Professional Scheme, www.a-t-p.org.uk City & Guilds, www.cityandguilds.com Springboard UK, spring boarduk.net www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk Details provided for information only. Jobs not necessarily available. |
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