Member Article

Stockport’s Capita Travel and Events celebrates inspirational apprentices

Capita Travel and Events has celebrated the achievements of a group of Stockport based apprentices in a graduation style ceremony. The celebration was used to recognise four employees who have successfully completed apprenticeship qualifications.

Capita Travel and Events employs over 800 people across the UK and is committed to investing in their ongoing learning and development. Apprentices study for qualifications alongside their day jobs as business travel consultants – responsible for booking hotel, rail, air and other travel services in accordance with customers’ business travel policies.

Charlotte Young, director of people development, Capita Travel and Events, said: “Business travel and events are competitive industries and recruiting people with experience and skills is a challenge. As part of the resurgence of apprenticeships, we want to work with local communities to help bridge the gap between education and the workplace and build on the skills required to deliver the best service to our customers.”

Callum Melody is a hotel consultant at Capita Travel and Events and is one of the successful apprentices. He said: “Before I joined Capita Travel and Events I was at college and really wanted to get into work. I spoke to Damar Training, the apprenticeship training provider in Stockport. We talked through my skills, opportunities and what I might enjoy. When I heard about the chance to gain a qualification while working for Capita Travel and Events, it I knew it was a great fit. I’m delighted that I went for it and that I was accepted. Studying and completing the apprenticeship in work time has felt less pressurised than college and it has really helped my confidence. I’m doing a job that I enjoy, I’m helping my customers and I’m learning more every day.”

Charlotte continued: “Our work doesn’t stop here. Our new apprentices usually study customer service or business administration but two of our successful ‘graduate’ apprentices were existing employees who have been trialling content that will feed in to the new “trailblazer” apprenticeship for business travel consultants to be launched in 2016. The new apprenticeship is being developed by employers in our sector, including Capita Travel and Events, with support from Damar Training, and will be the first ever apprenticeship specifically designed for business travel and accommodation.”

Capita Travel and Events is holding similar graduation style events across the UK to celebrate recent successful apprentices in other locations.

Pictured: Three of the successful apprentices - Claire O’Brien, Callum Melody and Robert Taylor with James Parkhouse, chief executive officer (left) and Charlotte Young, Director of People Development (right)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Toni Byrne .