Speaking at the Elite Conference for Independents, Solihull College lead programme coordinator – travel and tourism Jane Pendleton said she hoped the Elite Travel Academy would be up and running by the end of the year.

The scheme will be available for about 50 students per year and it is hoped they will be able to take up the roles as well as continuing their education.

Full-time apprenticeships could also be added to the scheme, meaning government funding could even be available to companies that take part.

Pendleton, who was a Thomson travel agent for nine years as well as being a trainer for the firm, said the scheme will be vital to students looking to learn outside of the classroom.

She said: “It’s massively important. I can teach them how to be a travel agent as that’s my background but that will not give them the same experience as a customer standing in front of them asking for any type of holiday anywhere in the world.

“(The fact is) every day is never the same and every single day brings an entirely new set of enquiries.”

Elite acting chairman Bob Grinsell said all members would be encouraged to get involved in the scheme, adding they will benefit from taking part as the interns bring new skills, such as an advanced understanding of social media.

He added: “Hopefully we’ll get operators involved too and we can get them into work placements with a view to recruiting the next generation of staff.”