ITC Flight Attending Short Course takes off around New Zealand

ITC tutors teach Flight Attending in three locations at the same time. From left to right: Daniel in Nelson, Mel in Whangarei, and Ali in Taranaki.

The International Travel College (ITC) may be headquartered in Auckland and Whangarei – but its courses are inspiring high school students all around the country.

Every month, the ITC Tourism Education Team travels to different areas of New Zealand to teach a variety of short courses.

In May, the ITC Flight Attending Short Course was delivered in three regions at the same time – Taranaki, Nelson, and Whangarei.

Over the course of two days, ITC tutors Ali, Mel, and Daniel all taught the same course in different locations.

“That’s what we call efficiency!” laughs Mel, the Tourism Education Team leader.

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ITC short courses inspire secondary school students to study tourism at tertiary level

A group of secondary school students learn about NZ’s exciting tourism industry thanks to an interactive ITC short course.

The International Travel College of New Zealand’s passion for the tourism industry has inspired a cohort of secondary school students to pursue this exciting career choice.

Every year, the ITC short course team educates hundreds of 15, 16 and 17 year olds about New Zealand’s airline, travel and tourism industry, through interactive lessons, practical activities and industry visits.

The aim of these short courses is to show students what it’s really like to work in tourism, so they have plenty of information when it comes to making a decision about what to study when they leave school.

While some go on to pursue other passions, many short course students ‘catch the tourism bug’ and decide to study the subject at tertiary level. This is a great win for the tourism industry, which is currently in a high-growth phase in New Zealand and in need of skilled, motivated workers.

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ITC connects high schools with tourism industry

Teachers from around Auckland enjoy a fun afternoon at Rainbow’s End as part of an ITC Professional Development Day

On Tuesday 25th August a group of high school teachers, career advisors and STAR/Gateway coordinators became students for the day at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC). Every year ITC hosts several professional development (PD) days to educate secondary school professionals about the tourism industry.

“Our PD days provide that critical link between the high schools and industry,” says ITC Account Manager and PD day organiser Ceri Jenkins.

“Many of the high schools have no links with the industry and therefore have very little firsthand knowledge to pass onto the students. Once teachers have attended a PD day, they will walk away with 4 or 5 new contacts who are all keen to come in and talk to their students about what’s happening in the tourism industry.”

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We took our intern bungy jumping and this is what happened

Pictured: ITC intern Vaheana bungy jumps off Auckland Harbour Bridge. Thanks for the great day AJ Hackett Bungy!

Vaheana, our intern from French Polynesia, has been helping out the ITC marketing team over the past several weeks. She recently joined ITC tutor Mel on a short course and was given the opportunity to bungy jump off the Harbour Bridge – a true New Zealand tourism experience! Vaheana shares what happened on this exhilarating day out.

Thanks to Lesley and Mel, who kindly offered to take me on an ITC Adventure Tourism short course, I had the amazing opportunity to jump off the Harbour Bridge.

As soon as we arrived at AJ Hackett Bungy the friendly staff started to get us ready for the attraction. We had to wear a suit, a harness and of course a helmet. Once everyone was ready Sophie – our tour guide for the day – gave us a little bit of history about the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Bridge was originally built in the 50s to link the North Shore to the Auckland CBD. Before that, people had to take a ferry to go to the North Shore.

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ITC a ‘second home’ for short course students

The ITC Travel Short Course finished on a high note, with a cultural themed shared lunch. The students all made a wonderful effort with their costumes

For many secondary school students, attending a short course at the International Travel College (ITC) is the first time they experience life at tertiary level.

It can be quite daunting, leaving the familiarity of high school and travelling into the city for a course taught by an unknown teacher, in an unknown environment.

That’s why the team at ITC strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for every student that enters its doors. From the moment they step into the college, they are part of the ITC family. (more…)

ITC short course leads to work experience for students

Explore New Zealand recently offered a group of ITC short course students the opportunity to do some work experience

When secondary school students attend a short course at the International Travel College (ITC), they walk away with more than credits.

In many cases, students leave with a work experience opportunity, or even a job offer!

On a recent Tourism Short Course, ITC arranged for the students to participate on several industry visits, including sessions at the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari, Auckland Adventure Jet and Explore New Zealand.

This approach connects students directly with the industry, allowing them to see for themselves what it is like to work in tourism.

It also provides students with the opportunity to make a good first impression with some of Auckland’s top tourism employers. (more…)

ITC’s new Level 2 short courses a hit with secondary school students

Students working together as a team during a recent Level 2 problem solving short course

At the beginning of this year the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) unveiled four new Level 2 short courses for secondary school students. These new courses will help students achieve credits for vocational pathways, as well as give them a taste of tertiary life.

Students may choose from a short course in Aviation, Employment Skills, Customer Service or Problem Solving – or if it suits, they may decide to complete all four.

Each course is one day and worth 2 credits. Although short, these courses pack a big punch. (more…)

ITC short course inspires Rotorua students

ITC short course students get a taste of adventure with Kawarau Jet Boats!

The International Travel College (ITC) recently delivered a short course in one of the North Island’s most popular tourist hubs, Rotorua. Home to bubbling geysers, beautiful lakes and an awesome collection of adventure activities, you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop to teach about travel and tourism.

Although ITC’s campuses are based in Auckland, the College has a team dedicated to delivering offsite short courses around New Zealand. Rotorua was the last offsite destination for 2014 and it certainly ended the year on a high note.

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ITC hosts professional development day for teachers

Teachers from across New Zealand join ITC on a mini Harbour Bridge Climb as part of a professional development day

Last Tuesday ITC welcomed a group of teachers to its City Campus for an interactive professional development day.  ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins hosted the event, providing the teachers with industry knowledge – and plenty of coffee and chocolate biscuits to keep them going!

These events are a great way to update teachers about what’s happening in the travel and tourism industry, so they can best inform their students about career opportunities.

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Mel joins Manurewa High School on trip of a lifetime

ITC Short Course Team Leader Mel (4th from the right with short sleeves and hairband) and students from Manurewa High School at Auckland International Airport

ITC’s very own Short Course Team Leader Mel Verwijmeren is currently on a trip of a lifetime in Southeast Asia. Mel joined Manurewa High School’s fourth HALP (Humanitarian Aid Leadership Programme) expedition to Thailand and Laos, of which ITC is a proud sponsor.

The trip is an amazing opportunity for students to see first-hand what life is like for people in this part of the world. For many students, it is their first time out of New Zealand, making it a significant life-changing experience.

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