The new in-house training academy aims to attract talent from outside of travel and ease pressure on branch staff to train.
Fred. Olsen Travel's training platform, aptly-named the Fred. Olsen Travel Academy, offers one-year Level 3 travel consultant apprenticeships and three-month intensive courses tailored to agent requirements.
Classroom-based learning will be offered at the agency's Ipswich HQ, with online modules, fam trips, conference and ship visits offering on-the-job education.
Eight to 12 new agents are expected to be trained each year, varying from those with no travel or retail experience to those hoping to expand their travel product knowledge. Seven agents will join later this month.
The chain's direct of retail, Paul Hardwick, explained: "In order for us to continue to grow and increase our high street presence from 18 to 25 branches by 2025, we need to recruit more talent and implement a more joined-up approach to training.
"The Fred. Olsen Training Academy will help us attract new staff while ensuring shops’ profits are not hit by staff having to divide their time between training and selling."
