TAFE Certificates: in-office training/skills recognition program for Travel Agents

TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute and Travelscene/American Express have teamed together to enable long-term staff to gain nationally recognised qualifications. Participating staff gain qualifications in Certificate III and Certificate IV in Tourism via an innovative Skills Recognition Program.

With more than 600 travel agencies around Australia, Travelscene/American Express has, for the first time, introduced this training program to recognise the skills, knowledge and experience of its employees. The Skills Recognition Program is both a career opportunity and a reward for employee loyalty and dedication.

Travel service staff include, for example, travel agents, meetings and events coordinators, visitor information officers, tour guides, attractions and caravan attendants. Each position entails different work patterns, so Illawarra Institute has taken a flexible approach that allows busy agency staff to complete training through modes of delivery that best suit their needs.

There are a number of training options for staff to participate as Existing Worker Trainees which include:
(1) online delivery
(2) distance learning
(3) face-to-face workshops
(4) work-based projects and assessment

The Skills Recognition Program is delivered through workplace assessment and online courses, via government financial incentives to the employee or employer.

Existing workers have their current skills assessed and recognised in the workplace, with training also addressing skills gaps. The qualifications attained are structured to establish career pathways that may enable employees to take on more responsibility or move into specialised fields.

Both management and staff of Travelscene/American Express have already noticed benefits from the Skills Recognition Program, including:
(1) Minimal disruption to the workplace
(2) Flexible, efficient and convenient workplace delivery
(3) Self paced learning
(4) Increased employee skills
(5) Ability to keep pace with technological changes
(6) Customer satisfaction
(7) Confidence to meet the demands of new and emerging markets
(8) Greater opportunities for career advancement.

For further info contact: Paul Goodwin, TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute Tel: 02 4229 0689 Email paul.goodwin@det.nsw.gov.au