In a celebratory gathering at Dawson & Sanderson’s Newcastle branch, former apprentices met with new trainees to share career insights.
- The event coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, focused on imparting ‘Skills for Life’, and marks a tradition of apprenticeship since 2011.
- Presentations by five team members highlighted career journeys initiated through two-year travel consultant apprenticeships.
- New trainees are encouraged to participate in ‘fam trips’ to enhance their understanding of travel offerings.
- The gathering offered mutual inspiration and reflection for former and current apprentices alike.
In a recent event at the Newcastle office of travel agency Dawson & Sanderson, past and present apprentices came together, creating a platform for the exchange of career experiences and aspirations. This meeting was organised in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, which this year centres on the theme ‘Skills for Life’. Since its inception in 2011, the agency has consistently implemented apprenticeship schemes to nurture future travel professionals.
During the event, five staff members shared their career paths, all of which began with Dawson & Sanderson’s intensive two-year travel consultant apprenticeship. These experiences underscore the potential for progression within the company, fostering a culture of growth and learning. Significantly, the narrative encouraged new apprentices to engage in familiarisation trips, colloquially known as ‘fam trips’, instrumental in expanding their knowledge of global travel destinations, attractions, and hospitality services.
Julie Cloe, the general manager of training and development at Dawson & Sanderson, emphasised the integral role of such reflective sessions in the apprenticeship journey. She remarked on the value these narratives offer, providing new apprentices with a vision of potential career progression within the company. Moreover, these discussions serve as a platform for former apprentices to reflect on their professional and personal development, further inspiring the current cohort.
The apprenticeships at Dawson & Sanderson offer a dual advantage: hands-on experience through regular customer interactions in-store and an academic component leading to a Level 3 Travel Consultant qualification. This comprehensive approach equips apprentices with both practical skills and formal recognition, preparing them for future roles in the travel industry.
Michelle Van-Sprang, director at AS Training, which partnered with Dawson & Sanderson in 2023, highlighted the day’s success in motivating current apprentices. She noted that hearing from successful former apprentices allows new trainees to envisage their future within the company, serving as a powerful motivator for aspiring travel consultants.
The event successfully strengthened connections, fostering inspiration and ambition among Dawson & Sanderson’s apprentices.
