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As National Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on a valuable part of industry, we talk to Tui’s apprenticeship operations specialist Rebecca Barton about running a successful programme
Apprenticeships can be a foot in the door at some of travel’s most sought-after companies to work for, and lead to rewarding, varied careers.
Tui offers more than 28 different apprenticeship programmes for new and existing colleagues. These schemes are apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships and master’s degree apprenticeships, with the majority of the apprenticeship programmes lasting around two years, although some of the degree apprenticeships can last up to six years.
Apprenticeship schemes are offered in finance, chartered management, legal, human resources, data science, software engineering and cyber security in head office, although not all are offered every year.
There are also schemes in retail stores and aircraft engineering, which is based at Hangar 61 in Luton. There are currently 80 apprentices based in head office and 143 in retail stores.
As apprenticeship operations specialist, Rebecca Barton oversees the current cohort in head office. She has built an 18-year career around apprenticeships and has worked for Tui for the last three.
She explains: “Tui has been approved to deliver its own apprenticeships. We have our own coaches and a quality and compliance manager to make sure we are Ofsted-compliant.”
“Every apprentice has a mentor and a buddy [a former apprentice]. They also have access to me via Teams and we catch up on a quarterly basis. I also speak to the training providers on a monthly basis.”
Each of the schemes is rotational; apprentices will spend six to eight months in their roles and work within different departments within their sector. However, chartered management apprentices work in PR, HR, Marella Cruises and digital marketing roles for a year at a time so they gain a wealth of experience and really understand how Tui operates as a business.
Barton adds: “We see chartered management apprentices as the future leaders of the business. The most recent cohort all graduated with first class honours degrees and have secured some great permanent roles in head office.”
The most promising applicants are invited to a yearly online assessment centre for a series of interviews and tests. Only the aircraft engineering interviews are currently taking place in person.
At the assessment centre, candidates will take part in a group activity, for example, brainstorming how to promote the Tui Care Foundation and raise funds. They also have a 1-to-1 interview and are required to deliver an individual presentation linked to their chosen subject area.
Barton says: “On our careers website, anyone interested in working with Tui can ask questions of our Insiders – employees who are keen to be quizzed about the company’s careers development, people and culture, and why you should work here.”
To stand apart from the competition, she advises applicants to research and embody Tui’s values. “Tui is unique and informal,” she says. “We live and breathe our values, and strive to be trusted, unique and inspiring – we want that to come across in an interview.”
“The less-experienced level-three candidates may not have examples that are work-related to share with us yet, but they can still demonstrate those values in their behaviours.”
Barton is full of praise for the way in which apprentices introduce fresh perspectives into a team and can rejuvenate a business. However, she has some advice for getting it right, starting with choosing the right training partner.
“Finding the right training provider is critical. Make sure your values and goals are aligned, they will help you get your apprentices through their programme. The Institute of Apprenticeships & Technical Education is a great website for researching providers and looking up the standards you have to meet.”
She also urges management teams to get behind apprentice schemes and recognise their value.
“Tui could have decided post-Covid to pause the programme while they focused on other areas, but the management has really helped get it back on track. It’s great to see our business leaders can see the value in what apprentices bring to their teams.”
Barton was keen to see the other side of the coin herself, and so she’s currently enrolled in her own apprenticeship for a chartered management degree.
“It’s so valuable having that experience myself. It’s beneficial for my career and it’ll help us better support Tui’s apprentices in the long run.”
The first weeks were filled with nerves and excitement. I had the opportunity to immerse myself on a two-week intensive onboarding program, hearing from inspirational colleagues and getting to understand the diverse range of careers available.
I felt like a fully-fledged member from day one. I had clear responsibilities that allowed me to feel pride in my work, whilst actively contributing to the organisation’s success.
The rotational element enabled me to gain wide experience in a corporate environment whilst identifying areas of interest for my future career. I accumulated a wealth of knowledge and built a network I still utilise today.
At times it’s hard to balance work, study, and personal life but it’s short-term pain that will help you in the long term. Believe in yourself, keep an open mind, and don’t give up as it’s worth it.
Do it. You can make a real difference to people’s lives.
I was looking for an organisation with a fun, nurturing and supportive environment, and TUI had just that! The scheme was also super tailored to both the industry and my professional development, making it a perfect choice.
I think the key is prioritisation and organisation; I love a to-do-list and find it useful to schedule how I’ll use each hour in my day.
Setting up a reverse mentoring scheme with the managing director of our First Choice brand to connect its senior leaders with apprentices and vice versa.
You should consider how the timing of your recruitment process relates to the academic year; students want certainty before they sit their exams and are eagerly applying to universities and apprenticeships during the autumn term.
You want to highlight your interest and passion, so research the company heavily and bring enthusiasm to each stage of the recruitment process.
