ITC Student Lisi Kaihau Lands her Dream Job

ITC student Lisi Kaihau who has been studying on the ITC Certificate of Aviation course, has just been accepted to her dream job as a flight attendant for Emirates.

Our Botany Campus Manager, Natasha Allen, who was formerly a senior flight stewardess for Emirates, and tutor Ashley Mailei who flew for Polynesian Airlines have both given Lisi plenty of encouragement and support.

“We are all very proud of her,” says Natasha, “not to mention a wee bit envious of the lifestyle she is about to embark on!”

Natasha talked to Lisi about her interview experience with Emirates.
 
Natasha: Congratulations, Lisi – what an achievement!

Lisi: I feel very excited and can’t believe that it is happening to me – it’s a dream come true.

Natasha: What was the interview process like?

Lisi: I actually really enjoyed the whole interview process, although it was quite intense! It was in three stages. The first stage was the Open Day, which was quite daunting – over 200 people turned up! We all handed in our CVs and they took our measurements and height. 

I think that the first impressions we created at this stage were incredibly important because we were notified that night or the next day if we were successful.

Natasha: What was the next stage of the process?

Lisi: The next stage was Group Assessment Day.  There were two groups of 25 and the day was spent doing role plays and team games. For example, we broke into groups of five and had to collectively agree on five items that we would take with us if we were stranded. 

Our role play was a lot of fun – my group had to pretend that we were on a flight where a passenger fell in love with a flight attendant! 

At the end of the day we were given a piece of paper that said whether we had been successful or not. When I was given the piece of paper my nerves were at their highest and I really expected it to be a rejection.  When I opened the piece of paper and it said “Congratulations” I had to read it a few times to really believe it!  Only 12 candidates were selected from our original group of 25.

Natasha: What was the third stage?

Lisi: That was the one-on-one interview. It was one hour of answering questions about customer service, my experience and how I would deal with complaints – it was very challenging. 

Natasha: How did you feel you went in the interview?

Lisi: I actually felt quite positive that I had performed well, but then you really just don’t know.  They said we would receive a phone call in a couple of months – and when I did I really couldn’t believe the news – I had got it!

Natasha: What advice would you give other students who want to get into the travel and tourism industry?

Lisi:  This whole experience has really shown me that what the tutors say to us at ITC is true – they push and encourage students to go for their dreams and never give up.  My training at ITC has definitely helped me with my confidence and knowledge of the travel and tourism industry and thanks to them and my hard work it has all paid off, and in August I will be flying to Dubai to embark on an exciting career as flight attendant for Emirates!

Congratulations to Lisi from everyone at ITC!

Hotel Management – The importance of first steps

Brent Westein started his career working in hotels in 2001 as a food and beverage attendant. He is now the HR manager for the Novotel & Ibis in Ellerslie in Auckland. We are lucky to have Brent as one of ITC’s industry advisory members. Here Brent tells us about his journey so far, and the importance of getting your foot in the door.

My first role in a hotel was in 2001 as a food and beverage attendant during the busy breakfast shift in Gantry’s restaurant at the Centra in Auckland (now the Crowne Plaza). Eventually I moved onto night shifts and this gave me the opportunity to work at the bar as well.

I then got my first role in the rooms division as a porter. This was an excellent job – we were the face of the hotel, as we were some of the first staff guests met on arrival and we carried their bags to their room.

After about 6 months in the rooms division I moved to the telephonist office. This gave me the chance to learn a whole new range of skills, including how to use the hotel computer system and the workings of the front desk. I actually moved to a role at the front desk next and was there for another two years, by which time I had been made front office supervisor.
 
The Centra was now the Crown Plaza Auckland, and I was lucky enough to gain the role as the human resources co-ordinator. I remained in that role for two and a half years, after which I was promoted to a 12-month maternity leave position of human resources manager of Centra Auckland Airport. This was an awesome opportunity to take on my first head of division role.

At the end of that contract I transferred to Wellington to work as an assistant manager at the Intercontinental Wellington. After being blown around in the capital for 14 months, I took up a role as the human resources manager at CityLife Auckland Hotel. CityLife is a great, vibrant hotel in the heart of Auckland’s CBD.

Early in 2012 I moved on to become the human resources manager at Novotel & Ibis Ellerslie in Auckland with Accor.
 
Having so much early experience in line level roles gave me a great understanding of what hotels are all about – it allowed me to experience different aspects of how hotels work behind the scenes and how all the divisions work together to support the overall running of a hotel. This was vital experience before I took my first steps into a supervisor’s role.

Opening their eyes to opportunuty

ITC classes 12CTT01A, 12CTT01B, and 12CTT02 and tutor Catherine O’Dea went on a famil trip and packed a huge amount of activity into their four-day adventure.

DAY ONE – 29 May 2012
The students and Catherine hopped aboard their Stray bus at 7am.

“Our driver was really friendly and passionate about New Zealand tourism,” said the students of 12CTT01A.  The spacious and comfortable Stray bus got the tick of approval from students, too.

The first stop was Blue Duck Station. The station is located in the Whakahoro Valley in the Ruapehu District on the banks of the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers, and surrounded by Whanganui National Park.

The station’s mission statement is focused on the conservation of endangered wild life (including the New Zealand blue duck, for which it is named) and the health of the native bush and rivers.

“Dan from Blue Duck Station gave us an insight into how the station is run and its relevance to tourism,” said Catherine. “He also had a little chuckle to himself when I got out of the bus wearing a white trench coat and high-heeled boots to a working farm!”

After being settled in their rooms (and changing into more appropriate attire), the group headed off to explore the station on 4WD vehicles.

“All of the students got well and truly dirty. Mud was everywhere!” said Catherine.

The group also had the opportunity to kayak and ride horses.

In the first of two water-related mishaps, tutor Catherine fell into the river fully clothed while kayaking: “It was freezing and the students were very quick to point out the large eels and watch as I squealed in complete terror!”

Everyone headed back to the lodge for a hot shower, dinner and the chance to warm up around the fire.

“We also learnt the ways of the people who lived without technology,” joked the students from 12CTT02, as Blue Duck Station doesn’t have cell phone coverage.

DAY TWO – 30 May 2012
The group headed off early the following day for Rotorua via Tongariro National Park, Tawhai Falls, and Taupo.

“We had a breakfast stop at The Park Travellers Lodge in Tongariro, where the general manager Jason spoke to the students about his business and the area while we enjoyed our meal and coffee by the fire,” said Catherine.

“During our short visit to Taupo we got to see the sheer power of the Huka Falls as they drained Lake Taupo and dropped off a five-metre waterfall,” said impressed students from 12CTT01A.

The students spent some time settling in at Base Backpacking Hostel in Rotorua before heading out to meet Doug Tamaki, founder and owner of Tamaki Maori Village.

“Doug was truly inspirational and a great public speaker,” said Catherine. “He spoke to the students about how he started in the industry, his struggles and his triumphs.”

It was certainly a highlight for many of the students.

“It was the best part of the trip,” said Marylee Mala’e from 12CTT01B. “Most of us had no idea about how the Maori had lived. We all went back to the hostel with so much more knowledge about Maori culture.”

Student Rehan Tata from 12CTT02 was elected to represent the ITC group as chief and took on his role with great enthusiasm and respect, said Catherine.

“We received a thrilling powhiri welcome,” said Rehan. “Then we were able to explore the beautiful Maori village and do some fun activities and games. After that we were all invited to attend a big amazing hangi feast.”
 
DAY THREE – 31 May 2012
Day three was another action-packed one. Students were split into two groups – one went to Kaitiaki Rafting and the other to Agroventures, where they could choose from four extreme adventure activities. The two groups then switched activities later in the day.

“The guys from Kaitiaki Rafting were great,” said Catherine. “They put the students at ease and were extremely encouraging and supportive.” 

“I just happened to be in the raft that capsized down the seven-metre waterfall,” she continues. “Yes, the second time on this trip I got myself soaking wet, but I loved it!”

The students from 12CTT01A sum up the day at Agroventures: “We got to swoop 40 metres at a speed of 130kmph, jet from 0 – 100kmph in the blink of an eye, bungy from 43 metres high and experience a minute and a half of free fall above a giant wind column!”

“I think it’s safe to say the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” said Catherine. “We were all encouraged to take part and do something we normally wouldn’t do. I did the Swoop super swing with two students and we came off feeling alive!”
 
DAY FOUR – 1 June 2012
“Forty-six tired students and one tired tutor piled onto the bus and headed for Auckland where we arrived just after 1pm,” said Catherine. “I had an unbelievable time and would do a famil again in a heartbeat. I have a different relationship with these students now, as we have shared this amazing experience together.”
 
The students agree with Catherine’s sentiment. “The trip brought us closer to our classmates and students from the other classes, and we even got our awesome tutor Catherine to kick back and hang with us,” said Rehan.

And amidst all the excitement, the point of it all wasn’t lost on the students either.

“Before this trip we didn’t realize all the job opportunities there were available to us in the industry,” said a representative of class 12CTT01A. “It was a great way to open our eyes to the real world of tourism in New Zealand.”

Junior Teofilo – a lucky choice

For Junior Teofilo, signing up for a few NCEA credits gave him a whole new career to look forward to.

Junior Teofilo says that he had never considered travel and tourism as a future career until his careers advisor at St Paul’s College signed him up for an ITC short course.

“It was just a week-long course to gain a few credits,” says Junior, “but spending that one week with the staff here at ITC, I fell in love with travel.”


Junior is now studying full time for his Level 3 Certificate in Travel and Tourism at ITC. 

He has enjoyed overcoming the challenges he has faced to be here.

“Coming from an all boys school, which was dominated by Pacific Islanders, it was a hard transition to get used to an environment where there are a lot of different ethnicities and the majority of the students are female,” says Junior, whose family is Samoan.

“But the staff and tutors are so friendly and easy to talk to and they made it much easier with team-building activities.”

“Not only do they help you fit in, they also make it easier for you to understand the work,” he says.

Junior now has plenty of new friends at ITC, and says he recommends the college not only to those who want a future in travel and tourism, but to those who aren’t quite sure what they want from a future career.

After all, he just came for a few credits and stayed to get a qualification.

The Top 8 Qualities of an Awesome ITC Student

We have so many great students; we thought we’d ask our tutors what makes a truly awesome one. (Read carefully – remember they’re the ones who mark your assignments!)

1. PUNCTUAL
We know it’s early, we know you haven’t had your coffee yet, we know you just had that one last thing you had to tell your friend before you came in… But an awesome ITC student arrives on time, and even 5 minutes early if possible! It shows respect for your classmates, your tutors and your own studies and future career.

2. POLITE
We pride ourselves on being like a family at ITC, but that doesn’t mean you should treat the other students or tutors like you treat your little brother or sister! Be polite, smile, say “hi”. A good mood is like a cold in that it’s incredibly infectious (but in a good way). Try spreading the joy today!

3. PREPARED
You wouldn’t go to stay at a friend’s place without bringing your toothbrush, would you? Part of coming to ITC each day is thinking ahead and making sure you have what you need. Bring your own stationery, bring your own lunch or lunch money; heck, bring your own toothbrush if you want!

4. WELL-PRESENTED
We’re not saying you have to look like a super model – that’s what the tutors are here for – but you should look like you take yourself and your studies seriously. If you don’t, no one else will either.

5. HARDWORKING (AND PLAYING)
This is truly and honestly one of those times in your life where you get out what you put in. We know, we know, it’s a cliché and your parents are always saying it… but this time it’s true! The more you throw yourself into your studies and take advantage of the opportunities ITC offers you, the better you will understand how you work best, what kind of job you want and how you can get there.

And don’t forget to play hard too – ITC’s calendar is jam-packed with activities for students to take part in, like sports days, beach picnics, Mid-winter Carnival, Global Wednesday, Valentine’s week, St Patricks Day, the Easter Bonnet parade, and student Trivial Pursuit challenges! They’re a great way to meet some new folk, have a huge amount of fun and explore your creativity.

6. CONSISTENT
You don’t have to be a robot (although it would be cool if you were!), but consistently turning up to class and turning in your assignments on time and to a high standard recommend you as a student and a potential employee. Also, if you always turn in high quality assignments on time, your tutors are much more likely to be sympathetic if you genuinely need us to cut you some slack at some stage.

7. PATIENT
We do enjoy reading your assignments (no, really!), but we are only human, so please do be patient with us if we haven’t got them back to you yet. We know that our students put a lot of work into their assignments and we believe they deserve our full considered attention when it comes to marking them – and that takes time.

8. PROFESSIONAL
This might seem like a funny word to use to describe a student, but at ITC we are pretty serious about preparing you for a real job in the real world. We spend a great deal of time and energy working out how we can best help you achieve your dreams – but in the end it’s up to you. Treat your studies as a real opportunity to start your professional career in the airline, travel and tourism industries and you will be amazed at how far you can go!

Passing on the dream…

International Travel College (ITC) tutor Tonya Cole talks about her career in travel and how she came to work with ITC.

I started my career in travel after completing a Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Business. My first role was with a large wholesaler as a long-haul consultant selling travel to the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia.

After a few years, like many Kiwis, I left New Zealand for my big OE. I was based in London for several years and travelled extensively throughout Europe.

This experience was fantastic for its own sake, but it also added a great deal to my later ability to talk passionately to customers about their travel plans and to help them figure out the best kind of trip for them.

When I returned to New Zealand I decided to further my education and began a science degree in psychology and nutrition.

I continued to work in the travel industry while I was studying. This included roles as a travel consultant selling travel to Greece, Turkey and Italy, and as a product supervisor for a cruise company. In that role I was involved in marketing and advertising the company’s product, so I’m really excited that one of ITC’s new eBooks is on the cruise industry – it’s a really fun industry to work in and there is so much to learn that is relevant to any job in travel and tourism.

Studying and working was sometimes difficult, as many of our students know, but it really helps with your time management skills and gives you a real sense of accomplishment.

Ultimately, it was my passion for travel and my love of education that led me to ITC, where I truly love encouraging and motivating students to achieve their goals and dreams – as I have.   

Pictured above from left to right, Sera, Rachel and Tonya at the recent Graduation at The Langham Hotel in Auckland.

The Right Attitude Shines Through at ITC’s Graduation

Over 100 students recently graduated from International Travel College’s range of airline, travel and tourism certificate courses, and 11 students graduated from the International Air Transport Association’s IATA Foundation Diploma. The 320 staff, students and guests celebrated on 29 May in the beautiful ballroom at The Langham in Auckland.

“The IATA diploma is an internationally recognised qualification in airlines and ticketing and one that we are very proud to be able to deliver,” says ITC’s Managing Director Kerry Priestly.

IATA is an international trade body that represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic. As an IATA Authorized Training Center, ITC is authorised to teach IATA’s travel, tourism and aviation training programmes. In 2011, the college was named as one of IATA’s top 10 Asia Pacific Authorized Training Centers.

Donna Kermode – group training manager for Stella Travel Services’s retail arm, Harvey World Travel and United Travel – was this year’s guest speaker. Donna has a wealth of experience in the airline and business travel sectors.

“Donna’s speech was especially pertinent, as she has taught some of our students,” says Kerry. “Eight of them were handpicked to attend the Harvey World Travel Training School that Donna and her colleagues ran at ITC last year. It was not a required part of their course work, and Donna made special mention of ITC students’ motivation and said that they really have the ‘wow’ factor.”

Her speech focused on the importance of having the right attitude in order to succeed in the travel industry. She praised ITC’s students for their flexibility, adaptability, their helpfulness and their eagerness to learn.

“She gave our graduates a real sense of what they can achieve with their ITC qualifications,” says Kerry.
 
As well as the certificates and diplomas, the following awards were given for special achievements.

Distance learning awards
Personal Achievement Award : Te Uruhina Vercoe (NZ Explore – America’s Cup sailing trip for 2)
Outstanding All Round Achievement Award: Lynda Scott (Fullers – Taste of Waiheke for 2)
 
City campus awards
Academic Excellence Award : Laura Orsbourn (Intercity – Waitomo Explorer day tour for 2)
College Life Award : Taufiq Asad (Sky Dive Auckland – 16,500 foot jump)
Outstanding All Round Achievement Award : Nicky Bennett (Novotel Ellerslie – 1 night’s accom )
Student of the Year : Pattananawadee Singhapanit (Stray Tours – South Island Willy Pass)
 
Botany Campus Awards
Academic Excellence Award : Rosemary Munro (Intercity – Bay of Islands day tour for 2)
College Life Award : Aisea Halo (AJ Hackett – Auckland Bridge Bungy Jump)
Outstanding All Round Achievement Award: Emma Pilkington (YHA Rotorua  – 2 night’s accom)
Student of the Year : Aisea Halo (Magic Tours – Northern Discovery Pass)
 
ITC would like to thank the sponsors who gave us such fantastic prizes, and a special thank you to our major sponsor for the evening, The Langham, Auckland.

Teaching from experience

Jacques Janse Van Rensburg joined ITC in 2011 as a tutor in tourism and business management. Jacques talks about his experience in the hospitality and tourism industry both in New Zealand and South Africa.

I started in tourism and hospitality as a general apprentice and over the next 11 years was promoted through food and beverage, function management, adventure and holiday camp management, outdoor education deveopment and, finally, to general manager of a world-renowned game lodge in South Africa. There I had full responsibility for business leadership, strategy, marketing, finance, systems, IT and human resources.

After immigrating to New Zealand, I completed my qualifications and went to work in hospitality and business education. 

I then took a break from education and put my hospitality management and customer service background to use managing a fast food chain.
 
I have now returned to my passion for education as a tutor at ITC. I am a student-centred teacher, mentor and coach, and I aim to encourage my students’ development through understanding them as individuals and their challenges and talents.

I hope that my practical business experience translates into common sense and savvy learning solutions for my students. I am very outcome-focused in the classroom; and I’m passionate about finding out who my students are as well as helping them to achieve the best the results they can.

I’m also a dedicated family man and spend most of my free time outdoors enjoying our favourite family hobby, tramping.

Is Tour Guiding For You?

As we are about to launch our new e-book on being a tour guide, we thought we’d ask ITC staff member Sarndra Stephens about her experiences in the role.

What do you think makes a great tour guide?
“Firstly, you need to be passionate about the country you are showcasing and the places you visit. You also need to be extremely friendly, outgoing, open minded, professional and super organised.

“And you need to be able to think on your feet. I was once caught with a group between destinations due to floods. We ended up having a spontaneous mid-winter Christmas at a lodge that wasn’t on our itinerary and we had a hilarious, fantastic night.”

Is being a tour guide hard work?
“It is hard work, as you are pretty much on the job 24/7; but it’s so much fun because you are always on the go, visiting exciting places and doing amazing things with people who are enthusiastic about experiencing and finding out about your country.”

What are some of the challenges?
“You do need to do your research, as you get asked all sorts of questions and you are expected to be able to find answers to pretty much all of them.

“You can’t be prepared for all of them though! An older gentleman once asked me what the breed of cows was we were passing in a field. I had no idea at all! I told him I would look it up on the internet for him. Later that day I researched several different types of New Zealand cows and when I imparted all this newfound information to him he was absolutely delighted!”

“You need to keep your sense of humour too, as people don’t always think before they ask you a question. A passenger once asked me: ‘If I ring home, will my mum be there?’”

What are some of the best things about the role?
“I loved taking clients through New Zealand and getting to see the country in all the different seasons.

“I also loved being able to experience so many different things – to be a great tour guide you have to do all the activities yourself so that you can sell them effectively. The good news is that you get to do all these activities free of charge!

“I have tandem skydived, bungy jumped, parasailed, been glacier walking, white water rafting and whale and dolphin watching and so much more. It was an amazing job.”

To learn more about our new Tourguiding e-book and our other online resources, go to the ITC Online Store at: http://www.itconlinestore.com/

Do you want your career to fly high??

After having been a stay-at-home mum for a number of years, Pauline Ratumu decided to pursue her dream of working in the travel and tourism industry.

Pauline was thrilled when she found about ITC’s Certificate in Aviation course. “Hearing that the qualification specialised in the airport/airline industry and knowing that this course offered the foundation knowledge for that specific side of the industry sparked my interest,” she says.

Since graduating Pauline has attained a job as a flight attendant for Air New Zealand. She is enjoying every minute of it and says the only downside is the irregular schedule. She says she loves having the opportunity to travel and to meet so many new people “and, of course, the duty free discounts!”

Pauline says that her study at ITC set her up well for her new role: “When I went through my training with Air New Zealand I found that what I studied in class was very useful as I had already covered certain areas though my Certificate in Aviation course.”

Pauline is looking forward to her future career, which could include working on long-haul flights and, in time, senior roles in the airline.

And she has some good advice for others looking for a future in the industry too. “Have respect for yourself and be yourself. Have a good, positive attitude in everything you do, and don’t let anything put you off or hold you back from getting you to where you want to be!”