Introducing Jess O’Connor

Jess recently joined the ITC Marketing Team

Jess is our new Marketing Executive. You can find her at the City Campus writing all sorts of exciting marketing material or perhaps updating one of ITC’s social media accounts. She tells us how a recent holiday in Ireland inspired her to come back to New Zealand to pursue a career in travel and tourism.

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ITC Finalist in Two Westpac Business Awards

ITC has finalist and winners in 16 awards in the past 18 years!

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 – South. The college is a finalist in two categories: Excellence in Customer Service Delivery and Excellence in Strategy and Planning. (more…)

Another ITC Event a Winner

ITC Students, who wrote the blog and had fun at the ITC Bowling event

A Russian, an Englishman, a Singaporean and a Filipino walk into a bowling hall…  it’s another ITC bowling day out!

Dan Sayer, the Englishman of the team mentioned above, says that the idea of these events “is to get the whole of International Travel College out as one, and it works.” (more…)

Introducing Shane Te Waa

Shane Te Waa is a new tutor at ITC. Here he tells us about his love for and experience in this “rich and dynamic industry”. (more…)

Auckland Airport and ITC Volunteer Work Experience Programme

One of the benefits of studying with ITC is the great industry connections we have. One of those connections is with Auckland Airport, and we have placed over 20 proactive students in volunteer roles as Domestic Terminal Airport Hosts. This is a fantastic stepping stone to a career in the aviation, travel and tourism industries. (more…)

ITC Announces Flight Attending Workshops

ITC’s one-day Flight Attending Recruitment Workshop will get you ready for an amazing career as a flight attendant.

Students who have taken part in this workshop have found it extremely beneficial and great value for money. “I learnt so much on this course, it really has made me re-asses when and how I apply to the airlines to be a flight attendant” said Matthew. “You don’t realise how much you need to know and be prepared for”.

All the content has been carefully compiled and prepared by several of the ITC tutorial team, of whom 9 have all worked for airlines as cabin crew or on their recruitment teams.

For only $99 you get:
• A full-day of training;
• Hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art Aviation Training Centre;
• Advice from a guest speaking flight attendant;
• A student notebook of work and information from the day; and
• A certificate of completion.
PLUS: The $99 is redeemable on one any one of ITC’s six-month courses!

You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of what the airlines are looking for and a career development plan for your dream job. This is your chance to be be fully prepared for any recruitment process and understand what the airlines are really looking for.

You can book on the course online click on this link http://itconlinetraining.com/course/flight-attending-recruitment-workshop/ or call us 0800 868747

With rolling intakes throughout the year we can’t wait to get you trained so you can get out there and live the dream.

Introducing Alison Rigby

New Short Course Tutor, Alison Rigby, tells us how the travel bug brought her to ITC.

Alison initially studied animation for three years. After completing that course in 2008, she moved to Vancouver where she worked at Grouse Mountain Ski resort.

“That was the start of my love for working within the tourism industry,” she says. “I spent the year working and travelling Canada and the United States. And I soon realised that the travel bug was well and truly alive in me!”

Alison moved to Melbourne, working in customer service jobs and extending her skill set while she saved to get to Europe.

In 2012 she moved to Amsterdam where she had a role as the new Meeting Point Manager for Sandemans New Europe Tours.

“In this position I was required to manage the tour guides’ schedules, the timing of the tours and banking. I was the face of the company and the first point of contact for tourists.

“No day was ever the same, and I had to be able to think on the spot and problem solve, as any experienced traveler knows not everything goes according to plan.

“I loved my time with this company and the amazing people I met along the way. In my spare time I was lucky to be able to do what I do best – travel!”

Alison had been travelling and living abroad for over 6 years when, in 2013, she decided to return to New Zealand and study to become a teacher. She completed the Trinity Certificate in TESOL and began teaching pre-intermediate level teens at Unique New Zealand on a short-term contract.

“I absolutely love teaching,” says Alison. “It’s an amazing feeling to connect with and help students reach their potential.”

When she saw the advertisement for a Short Course Tutor at ITC Alison says she knew this was the job for her.

“I am thrilled to be working here and able to share my experiences and passion for travel and tourism with the students.

“This role combines my two loves – travel and teaching – and I look forward to guiding students and opening their minds to the endless opportunities awaiting them in this wonderfully exciting industry.”

ITC Voted Leading Travel Training Institution

The team at ITC are thrilled to be winners again!!

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been voted New Zealand’s Leading Travel Training Institution in the Travel Digest Travel Industry Awards 2013.

“What makes this award such an honour is that it is voted for by members of the industry,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley.

“We have such a strong focus on making sure our graduates are genuinely prepared for work in travel, tourism and airlines, and this award acknowledges that we are getting it right.”

Travel Digest also lists ITC’s achievement of Category One status in the NZQA EER audit (the highest education rating) and its membership of internationally recognised quality brand Quality Education as contributing factors to its success.

“It’s important to us that our quality is made visible through NZQA audits and through our connections with associations like Quality Education,” says Claire.

“It’s critical that our students have confidence in us, and it inspires all of us at the college to keep contributing to this industry that we love.”

ITC’s students certainly reap the benefits of the college’s strong industry reputation. Numerous opportunities to explore the industry first hand through trips and hands-on work experience and job placements all add to the college’s high job placement rate.

“This is an industry where the strength of your contacts is crucial. Our students constantly make us proud by showing employers their commitment and passion for this sector. And employers repay that by providing employment and training opportunities for our students.”

“We are grateful to Travel Digest for running these awards that showcase the best of our industry, and we would like to thank the people and organisations who voted for us.”

“An Excellent Match” – ITC’s new partnership with Sterling Business College

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has forged a partnership with Sterling Business College in Perth, Western Australia. The partnership will see students pathway from Sterling’s Level II – IV certificates to higher study at ITC.

“We are thrilled to be working with Sterling Business College,” says ITC Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “They offer one of Australia’s best travel and tourism programmes, and we have a lot in common in terms of the aims we have for our students.”

Sterling’s Principal Janelle Dawson agrees: “This partnership is an excellent match, as both colleges provide quality training and have great student outcomes.”

Both ITC and Sterling pride themselves on their personal investment in each student.

“People know each other at ITC,” says Claire. “Students study and work closely with each other, and the tutors know each of the students and what their dreams are. It’s a very personalised approach. Sterling has the same philosophy of working with each of the students to help them realise their goals.”

Both colleges encourage international students and Claire sees the possibility for ITC students to also spend time at Sterling.

“This partnership opens the door to opportunities for ITC students in Western Australia. This industry is all about making connections across the globe and we are thrilled to have made this connection with Sterling Business College.”

Janelle also sees the positive impact this will have on her students.

“We are delighted to extend this great opportunity to our students to be able to further their studies in travel and tourism in New Zealand. They now have the opportunity to travel, study and live in two different countries. What could be better for a tourism student?”

A Magical Holiday

The International Travel College’s (ITC) Justine Glackin, in charge of accounts, celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the college earlier this year. To thank her for her hard work and dedication, ITC rewarded Justine with a trip to the value of $10,000.

Justine initially worked in ITC’s student services. After two years she took time off for maternity leave. She returned in 2006, went on maternity leave again in 2007 and returned again the following year.

Managing Director Kerry Priestley says they were always thrilled to have her return. “Justine has a fantastic sense of humour; she’s a good team player and is just great to work with.”

Justine recently came back from her trip and here she shares with us what she did on her dream holiday.

You have $10,000 to spend on travel, where would you go? It’s a bit like asking what you would do if you won Lotto. You just have to narrow down the choices! Having been lucky enough to go to Disneyland as a five year old I wanted to be able to take my own kids so when I was given the opportunity to choose a holiday thanks to ITC it was actually a fairly easy decision to make.

We had three full days in Anaheim, two of those at Disneyland and California Disney. Both these parks are amazing and we arrived on opening and didn’t leave until closing time, about 10 hours later. Particular highlights were Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, The Mattahorn, It’s A Small World, Carsland Racing, the Hollywood Tower of Terror and California Screamin’. Having photos with Mickey, Pluto, Donald and Buzz Light Year (to name a few) has resulted in some fantastic family pictures.

After the excitement of Disney we headed to Santa Monica. We were within walking distance of some amazing shopping and the beach. An open topped double decker bus tour was a fantastic way to see more of L.A. and we took in the sights of Rodeo Drive (no shopping there though!) plus the La Brea Tar Pits, The Farmers Market for a yummy lunch, Beverly Hills and Hollywood for the stars on the footpath plus various weird and wonderful characters trying to make it big in show biz.

It was a fabulous place for relaxing as well as exploring. We hired bikes and rode to Venice Beach, and Muscle Beach where you can work out under the Californian sunshine while homeless people sleep under trees in the parks. We caught a bus to Malibu and wandered along the beach and pier, watched people surfing and paddle boarding and also saw some amazing looking homes right on the beach front.

All in all an absolutely magic family holiday that still makes me smile and one that makes us want to go back and explore some more.