ABTA is asking the industry to share views on the content of new travel training courses for college students.
It following concerns Level 3 travel and tourism courses won’t receive Government funding from September 2026.
The Government wants to replace current Level 3 courses with a new system, called T-levels, but there is no T–level planned for travel and tourism.
In April last year, a Tourism Industry Skills Working Group was set up, with representatives of trade bodies including ABTA, the Institute of Travel and Tourism, UKinbound, and UKHospitality.
The group held a series of workshops towards the end of 2023 to seek views and has now identified a route to getting new courses approved.
It’s now launched a survey to get more input and wants industry experts, such as HR and education and training leads, to get involved in the final design of these courses.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “ABTA has worked hard with industry partners and education specialists to find a practical solution to the defunding of travel and tourism courses in England from September 2026.
“We now have a clear way ahead, and the opportunity to shape future college courses for young people with an interest in making a career within our industries is exciting.
“Our creation of the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group is the clearest possible indication of ABTA commitment to ensuring that the industry can continue to attract young people to the travel industry and of ABTA’s engagement in policy work and our expertise in education producing tangible results that will shape the future of our sector.
“However, the success of the working group’s efforts will depend on securing input from across the wider travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Consultation and engagement with a wide range of industry representatives is a vital part of the approvals process for new courses.”
ITT Director Claire Steiner said: “It was heartening to see how all corners of our industry came together when the news of the defunding was announced a year ago. This is a great opportunity for us to help shape the new courses for the next generation of travel professionals, show our continued support for these qualifications and ensure that they are fit for purpose.”
Findings be passed to educational providers developing replacement courses to those due to end in September 2026.
The survey can be found here. The deadline for responses is 31 January.
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It following concerns Level 3 travel and tourism courses won’t receive Government funding from September 2026.
The Government wants to replace current Level 3 courses with a new system, called T-levels, but there is no T–level planned for travel and tourism.
In April last year, a Tourism Industry Skills Working Group was set up, with representatives of trade bodies including ABTA, the Institute of Travel and Tourism, UKinbound, and UKHospitality.
The group held a series of workshops towards the end of 2023 to seek views and has now identified a route to getting new courses approved.
It’s now launched a survey to get more input and wants industry experts, such as HR and education and training leads, to get involved in the final design of these courses.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “ABTA has worked hard with industry partners and education specialists to find a practical solution to the defunding of travel and tourism courses in England from September 2026.
“We now have a clear way ahead, and the opportunity to shape future college courses for young people with an interest in making a career within our industries is exciting.
“Our creation of the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group is the clearest possible indication of ABTA commitment to ensuring that the industry can continue to attract young people to the travel industry and of ABTA’s engagement in policy work and our expertise in education producing tangible results that will shape the future of our sector.
“However, the success of the working group’s efforts will depend on securing input from across the wider travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Consultation and engagement with a wide range of industry representatives is a vital part of the approvals process for new courses.”
ITT Director Claire Steiner said: “It was heartening to see how all corners of our industry came together when the news of the defunding was announced a year ago. This is a great opportunity for us to help shape the new courses for the next generation of travel professionals, show our continued support for these qualifications and ensure that they are fit for purpose.”
Findings be passed to educational providers developing replacement courses to those due to end in September 2026.
The survey can be found here. The deadline for responses is 31 January.
The post ABTA seeks views on new travel training courses appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
