A new programme linking school leavers with the travel industry has been launched in Melbourne to address workforce shortages while providing early career opportunities for young people.
The initiative, known as The Travel Gap, was developed through a partnership between employment platform My First Job and the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). Organisers say the programme aims to provide practical exposure to the travel sector before participants commit to further study or career paths.
The programme provides a structured 29-week pathway combining paid placements with industry exposure across the travel sector.
Participants undertake four separate six-week placements with different travel businesses while receiving pay for a minimum of 20 hours of work per week. Between placements, participants travel within Australia to gain broader exposure to the sector.
Virgin Australia has joined the programme as domestic airline partner, supporting travel between placements. Accommodation during the launch week in Melbourne was provided by Ascott’s lyf Collingwood, while Marriott hotels supported education sessions with meeting facilities.
The first group of participants completed an introduction week in Melbourne that included industry sessions and attendance at Entire Travel Group’s Travel Showcase & Soirée. The programme also includes sessions with companies such as Amadeus, Cover-More, CHT, Hostplus and Birdseye Consulting.
Over the next six months, participants will undertake placements with companies including Sonia Jones Travel, Connections Travel Group, Clean Cruising, RAA, CTM, Platinum Travel Group and Intrepid Travel.
“At My First Job, we focus on what happens before and beyond the hire. The first job isn’t the first step in a career – it’s the first step into the world of work. The Travel Gap gives young people a supported way to build confidence, understand expectations, and discover the range of roles travel can offer, while helping employers welcome and develop emerging talent,” said Cass Champion, founder of My First Job.
“Travel is one of Australia’s most dynamic service industries, but we need to do a better job of showing the next generation what’s possible. The Travel Gap helps make travel ‘real’ through structured, paid opportunities, practical learning and direct access to the people and businesses that power this sector,” added Dean Long, CEO of ATIA.
