Hays Travel has launched its second cabin crew recruitment campaign, seeking to fill roles ahead of the peak travel season. The initiative follows a successful pilot in 2023 that saw a significant engagement from aviation professionals transitioning to customer service roles within the travel industry.
Campaign Overview
The new recruitment drive by Hays Travel has attracted unprecedented attention just days into its launch. Having engaged a record number of applications, the campaign aims to employ cabin crews in customer-facing roles for the busy January sales period. This initiative also helps those from the aviation sector find temporary employment during quieter months.
First piloted in 2023, the campaign encourages cabin crew to apply for positions at Hays Travel branches across the UK. The initiative capitalises on the skillset that these professionals already possess, complementing the customer-oriented nature of travel agencies. The initial phase last year successfully transitioned 148 cabin crew into these roles.
A Successful Partnership
Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer at Hays Travel, states that integrating cabin crew into retail branches was well-received. ‘Our colleagues loved having cabin crew alongside them,’ he mentions, highlighting the natural fit their skills have with customer service roles within the travel sector.
Cabin crew are noted for their calm demeanour and extensive product knowledge, which adds significant value to Hays Travel’s operations. This partnership not only bolsters staffing during busy times but enhances overall customer satisfaction, as evidenced by last year’s feedback.
Engagement and Reach
Hays Travel has strategically utilised social media platforms such as TikTok to promote its recruitment campaign. Posts encouraging cabin crew to envision themselves moving from onboard duties to branch roles have garnered impressive responses, reaching nearly 40,000 views and numerous likes.
The impactful reach of these digital campaigns exemplifies modern recruitment trends where companies leverage social media to connect with potential candidates. The overwhelming response demonstrates the campaign’s effectiveness in engaging an audience familiar with digital interactions.
Social channels are proving crucial in outreach efforts, ensuring that the cabin crew community is aware of opportunities to utilise their skills in a novel yet complementary field.
Application Process and Next Steps
The recruitment team at Hays Travel is currently reviewing the influx of applications. The next phase involves conducting interviews in September, a critical step in finalising the selection of candidates who will undergo induction training after the October half term.
This systematic approach ensures that all applicants are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, with the company’s emphasis on preparing successful candidates to excel in their new roles.
With plans to offer 400 positions, the company is poised to enhance its workforce, maintaining momentum through strategic seasonal employment.
Future Prospects for Cabin Crew
For cabin crew making this career pivot, the opportunity opens pathways to develop new skills that are in demand within the travel industry. This cross-industry movement is mutually beneficial, providing travel agencies with experienced personnel while offering cabin crew a steady role during off-peak months.
The campaign not only addresses workforce shortages but also taps into a knowledgeable talent pool ready for swift integration into the retail environment. It illustrates an innovative approach to staffing challenges faced by both industries.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in rethinking traditional employment barriers, utilising existing skills in new settings to mutual advantage.
Feedback and Reception
Feedback from both cabin crew participants and Hays Travel branches last season was overwhelmingly positive. The integration of cabin crew into branches was described as a success, with branches lauding the added expertise and support.
Such reception underscores the effectiveness of this recruitment strategy, paving the way for further collaborations between the travel and aviation sectors.
It further boosts Hays Travel’s reputation as a pioneer in innovative staffing solutions, demonstrating adaptability and forward-thinking in a competitive market.
Conclusion
This strategic recruitment initiative by Hays Travel not only meets the pressing demand for seasonal staff but also offers aviation professionals new career prospects. This forward-thinking approach promises to benefit both the company and its employees in the long term.
Hays Travel’s recruitment initiative illustrates the potential for cross-industry innovation. By harnessing the specific skills of aviation professionals, the company enhances its customer service capabilities while addressing employment needs, setting a benchmark for similar strategies in the future.
