ITC staff have more than 187 years of experience between them – what it means for students

Our wonderful ITC and Study From Home team.

At ITC, we’re big believers in lived experience.

That’s why our tutors are just great tutors – they’re experts in travel and tourism. They have worked in the industry, travelled plenty, and know exactly what it takes to not just get into travel jobs, but to thrive in them as well.

Together, they have had more than 187 years of experience, and every one of them adds something special for our students.

187 years of experience brings ITC students more than just quality education. It brings a memorable experience for everyone they interact with, support, real life stories, and expertise. The team at ITC and Study From Home ‘go the extra mile’ every day regardless of lockdowns. This is why so many students continue their studies and recommend a friend.

Recently, we asked each staff member to share what it is they do to go the extra mile for our students, especially in regards to recent lockdowns. Here’s what they each had to say! (more…)

Behind the scenes with ITC’s blogger, Hayley

A Kiwi exploring Canada, at the famous Moraine Lake (before lockdowns!).

Usually, I write about something that’s happening with ITC or SFH, chatting to incredible graduates and wonderful ITC/SFH staff, covering industry updates, or writing about the amazingness that is New Zealand tourism.

This time, the team at ITC thought it might be an idea to write about something a little more personal – me.

You see, I’m not holed up in an Auckland office (although that is how my writing career began). I’m not actually even in New Zealand (although I am a Kiwi through and through) – I’m currently living in Montreal, Canada. As such, I’ve had a bit of a different pandemic experience than most Kiwis.

Here’s my story! (more…)

ITC sends postcards to graduates who land jobs in the industry

Sending postcards to students who have landed roles in the industry is one of the best parts of the job!

ITC doesn’t have thousands of students every year, or lecture theatres packed with hundreds of students.

At ITC, our tutors know every student by name, and throughout the course of study, get to know their students and care about them. That’s one of the biggest benefits of being a tertiary education provider on a smaller scale – our students are so much more than just numbers.

In fact, it’s this genuine relationship we have with students that led to us starting our postcard initiative! (more…)

New influx of jobs available in tourism and travel industry in New Zealand

Despite lockdowns, we’re still seeing plenty of new roles coming available in travel and tourism.

Lockdown has been tough on everyone, especially those in Auckland who remain in level 4. Yet this time around, the feel has been quite different, especially for businesses and employers in the travel and tourism industry.

Instead of hitting pause and wondering what happens next, many employers have been taking the pause to prepare for what happens next – lower levels, a mini post-lockdown boom, summer holidays, and hopefully, borders that start opening safely in the new year.

That’s why we’re seeing hiring continue and new jobs being advertised, even though travelling is limited right now. (more…)

ITC Short Course team creates Eco Tourism program

An ITC Short Course guides students to create and execute sustainable ideas for their local communities.

When the pandemic put New Zealand tourism on pause in 2020, many New Zealanders and industry groups urged that we as a country take the opportunity to make the industry more eco-friendly.

The ‘Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism’ report released in early 2021 was just one submission outlining ways we could improve how environmentally friendly our industry could be.

Additionally, the 2021 Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com found that 77% of Kiwi travellers think sustainable travel is vital. 

At ITC, we also believe tourism can and should be more sustainable, which is why our short course team has recently created a new course dedicated to Eco Tourism. (more…)

ITC supporting students when enrolling from high school

Sharon is one of ITC’s friendly Course Advisors

ITC doesn’t just offer our own students training and education in travel, tourism, and aviation – we also have a dedicated Schools Programme that delivers short courses to high schools all over the country.

These short courses offer students the opportunity to earn NCEA levels 2 and 3 credits, and enjoy a taste of what the tourism industry is really like.

This is the time of year students make their decisions about further education beyond high school. At ITC we are here to make this process as easy as possible. One way we do this is by offering this process at their high school. (more…)

Meet Keeanu Cookson: From ITC short course, to full-time student, to full-time employment!

Keeanu Cookson went from short course student, to full-time ITC student, to landing a role in the industry!

One of the many pathways ITC offers into the travel and tourism industry is through our short courses in high schools all over the country.

These short courses span just one to three days, but they can be the start of a lifetime in the industry.

That’s exactly what happened to Keeanu Cookson, who began with a short course, enrolled to become a full-time student, and quickly landed a full-time job! We spoke to Keeanu, his tutor Daniel, and his boss to learn more about his journey. (more…)

A Disney Program recruiter shares what’s new, and what he’s most looking forward to post-covid

Working overseas at Walt Disney World has long been a favourite programme for ITC students.

Every year, the Disney exchange program is a popular option for ITC students.

It offers young students the change to work abroad in Walt Disney World, earning valuable experience, practicing transferrable skills, and meeting people from all over the globe in one of the most magical settings on the planet.

While the program sadly came to a halt due to the pandemic, that doesn’t mean it won’t be back one day in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime, we chatted with Disney program recruiter Joe Iglecia-Scholl about what’s happening with the program right now, what he’s looking forward to seeing as the world recovers, and what students and parents need to know if they’re considering the program in the future. (more…)

Meet Stacey Elie: The graduate who landed on her feet after covid derailed her plans

ITC graduate Stacey Elie spent two months at Disney before the pandemic interrupted her exchange.

Stacey Elie is a wonderful recent ITC graduate who was living the dream, working at the Disney Exchange Program, when the pandemic broke out.

Despite this upset, Stacey managed to return to New Zealand and land an incredible new role in tourism thanks to her own hard work and ITC’s support. 

Learn a little more about Stacey’s journey, what she’s up to now, and her advice for students. (more…)

Meet Eitaro Goshima: The ITC graduate whose boss won’t stop raving about how amazing he is

Eitaro Goshima is a recent ITC graduate who began his studies at our Christchurch campus before moving to Auckland and continuing with level 5.

Soon after graduating, our Employment Consultant Sarndra approached Eitaro with the opportunity that she knew he would be perfect for.  She arranged a phone call with SkyCity.  By the end of the conversation both Eitaro and SkyCity employer Shaun knew he was a perfect fit for the role.  This is another example of the extra mile our Employment Consultants go to for our students. His new boss Shaun can’t stop talking about just how wonderful Eitaro has been to work with.

“Eitaro has done a fantastic job since joining the SkyCity Hotel Concierge team. Being an ITC graduate, Eitaro is a great success story, and an example of how ITC prepares its students. Eitaro settled into the team relatively effortlessly and now runs his own shift. I am impressed with his can-do attitude, his willingness to learn, and I look forward to seeing Eitaro progress in his career,” he said.

So we decided to catch up with Eitaro and find out a little more. Here’s what he had to say! (more…)