Top 10 Tips for ITC students

An Excellent Season For Travel and Tourism Graduates

International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) Account Manager Ceri Jenkins has noticed an upturn in the entry-level employment market.

“If current vacancies are a reflection of the state of the industry, the future is looking very positive,” says Ceri. “I cannot remember a winter season where so many companies have contacted us to advertise entry-level roles with almost immediate starts.”

The vacancies are across a broad range of sectors, including adventure tourism, car rental, travel agency, airline, accommodation, airport and tour operators.

Ceri says there are a number of contributing factors to the upturn in the market: “There seems to be a genuine confidence out there from both employers and employees.

“Employees are taking the next step in their careers and creating entry-level vacancies, and employers are planning ahead and training new staff now to ensure they are ready when peak season arrives.”

Ceri says there is no doubt that the lure of Australia is still a factor in creating entry-level positions, with employers recounting stories of staff leaving to chase more money; but ITC’s graduates are benefiting greatly from this upturn.

The key recruitment period in the travel and tourism industry is traditionally from September to November, notes Ceri.

“If the entry-level job market is this busy now, it seems an indication that the 2013/2014 season will be an excellent one for New Zealand’s travel and tourism industry.”

ITC has been a premium supplier of full-time and part-time training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996, and has campuses in Botany and central Auckland.

Tutor Profile: Tessa Henwood

ITC’s newest tutor Tessa Henwood tells us about how her love of hospitality and tourism has led her to travel all over the world: and how it all started in a Yorkshire pub.

I was born in the UK, and when I left school I started working as a barmaid in pubs. I met so many interesting people and had so much fun; I just knew I had to pursue a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Although I was not very academic I decided to try and gain a qualification, so I enrolled in a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality Management with Tourism. I loved the course; it was so practical and it taught me so many things that I have used in my working career. In the end I stayed on an extra year to complete the Hospitality Business Management Degree. I graduated with a First Class Honours degree, which is one of my proudest achievements.

After university I just wanted to see the world! I worked hard, saved money and went traveling to as many amazing places as I could. Wherever I went, whether it was Cuba or Peru, Europe or Africa, I enjoyed amazing adventures and learned so much about myself.

After landing in New Zealand, I travelled for a year, working my way around the country in different backpacker hostels. I loved working in the tourist industry in New Zealand! The range of adventure attractions, beautiful national parks, and interesting cultures and history make the country unique and different to anywhere else I have ever traveled.

I eventually settled in Auckland working for the YHA as operations manager. Around this time I also started working with ITC, providing work placement opportunities and giving career presentations.

When I first visited the college I felt I had found somewhere that not only shared my passion for the travel and tourism industry, but that was also encouraging people to dream big. I believe that everyone has the potential to do anything, and I feel that by working with ITC and all my colleagues we can help people achieve their dreams.

ITC 2014 Scholarships Are Open and Online

International Travel College of New Zealand’s (ITC) 2014 scholarship applications are now open to those who want to study for the airline, travel or tourism industries.

This is the second year that ITC has run the application process by asking students to create a video or a blog to be posted online. The entry needs to show the student’s passion and enthusiasm for the travel and tourism industries and commitment to learning.

“The technology and social media element of the scholarship makes it particularly relevant to this generation of students and to the changing way that travel and tourism operates,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley.

Applications are open earlier this year to give students more time to plan and create their online masterpieces, and the voting element has been removed.

“We initially thought that would be a fun element to the scholarship applications, but we have discovered that it put some people off. We want this to appeal to as many potential students as possible; and although it is a fun exercise, it is an important and serious decision we have to make regarding who receives the scholarships,” says Claire.

A group of ITC’s tutors and management team will select the recipients, and they will be looking for that special something that makes ITC’s graduates so successful.

“There are a number of qualities that people need to really contribute to the travel and tourism industry and to have a career that they love,” says Claire.

“All of our tutors have worked in these industries and the college has strong connections with organisations and employers in airline, travel and tourism, so we know what they are looking for.”

“We are all excited about seeing what this year’s applicants can show us!”

To find out more about the ITC 2014 Scholarship competition visit: https://www.facebook.com/ITCNZ/app_399543336780182

ITC, which has campuses in Botany and central Auckland, has been a premium supplier of training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996.

ITC Finalist in Auckland Export Awards

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been announced as a finalist in the Auckland Export Awards in the QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year category.

This category is open to businesses with total sales under $25 million and with a minimum of 20 per cent of revenue from exports.

“This recognises our excellence in export education, which is so crucial to New Zealand, and also to our industry,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley.

ITC, which has been a premium supplier of full-time and part-time training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996, is well placed to understand the importance of international markets.

“Our industry, by its very nature, requires that we have well-trained people from all over the world here in New Zealand, and also that the graduates we send overseas represent the very best Kiwis have to offer,” says Claire.

ITC has strong industry connections and an excellent reputation both in New Zealand and overseas, which Claire believe has been critical to its success in the awards.

The college’s international students make up around 10 per cent of its student body and have a strong 95 per cent completion rate. International students are given support to become familiar with the New Zealand tourism employment market once they have completed their studies and regularly gain employment in their chosen industry.

“At ITC we really celebrate that, more than ever, travel and tourism is a worldwide concern, and we work hard to make the most of the international aspect of this industry.”

As well as welcoming international students to New Zealand, ITC’s New Zealand graduates regularly gain positions with international air and cruise lines, and on international cultural exchanges, such as Disneyworld’s “Live, Learn and Earn” programme.

The college’s tutors come from numerous places around the globe and have worked all over the world in a wide variety of companies and organisations.

“It’s a real cultural exchange,” says Claire. “There are very few places where people cannot travel these days, and there are so many opportunities for people to gain experience and to work and live within different countries and cultures. It’s fantastic to be able to offer that opportunity to international students. ”

“This is the first year we have entered these awards, and we are absolutely thrilled to be among the finalists. We are proud of our international student success and delighted to be able to contribute to contribute to New Zealand’s education community and its travel and tourism economies.”

The Auckland Export Awards are run by ExportNZ, which is a division of BusinessNZ and, at a regional level, a division of the Employers & Manufacturers Association. For more information see: http://hookedonexport.co.nz/

ITC Nominated for Further Business Award

The International Travel College (ITC) of New Zealand has been nominated for the Excellence in Marketing category in the Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards.

ITC recently won Excellence in Marketing at the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards.

The entry criteria for the Auckland awards states that the marketing category “recognises a business that shows a thorough understanding of – and commitment to – marketing in a way that makes it a clear leader in the field.”

“We certainly hope that describes us,” says Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “Marketing at ITC is about more than getting students to sign up to our courses – it’s about integrating all aspects of the college into the travel and tourism industry.”

ITC’s strong commitment to developing relationships with industry pays off for its students, who regularly get real-world experience and job opportunities through ITC’s connections.

“For example, our Sales Executive Ceri Jenkins is constantly working to market the college by developing strong links between the students and their future careers.”

Ceri has brokered numerous opportunities for students to undertake part-time work with companies such as JUCY Rentals and Auckland War Memorial Museum. And students regularly get onsite experience working behind the scenes at events like the Auckland International Student Welcome and the TRENZ tradeshow.

“Those kinds of relationships come about because we have the confidence that we are genuinely preparing students for jobs in the real world,” says Claire. “And you can’t fake that – you have to have the full support and belief of the staff, the students and the people working in those industries to make it work.”

The award winners will be announced at a black-tie gala dinner at The Langham Hotel Auckland on Thursday 10th November 2011.

ITC, which has campuses in Botany and central Auckland, has been a premium supplier of full-time and part-time training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996. ITC also offers a wide range of Distance and Online learning courses.

Did you see what we won?

International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been named the winner in the Excellence in Marketing category at the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards 2011. This is the first time that this category has been in the Awards and was one of the most contested categories.

The awards (formerly the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards) aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in South Auckland’s businesses, particularly in relation to promoting and strengthening economic development in the region.

The announcement was made at a gala dinner held at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau on 12 August.

“We are so thrilled,” says Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “We integrate our marketing in all that we do – whether it’s college-run events, our website and blog, our relationship with industry or work experience for our students.”

“We know that marketing isn’t just about the promotional material we produce. Everyone at the college represents the ITC brand, and it’s an important part of our job to make sure we create an environment where everyone is proud to represent us – whether that’s our staff, our students or our graduates.”

“A passion for the tourism, travel and airline industries is the foundation of our college. Our staff members all have a great deal of experience and a real commitment to sharing that with our students and helping them on their way to their dream career. All of our marketing stems from that core focus.”

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development who run the awards, not just for recognising ITC, but for the faith they show in our business community and for the opportunity to show people what we are all capable of.”

ITC, which has campuses in Botany and central Auckland, has been a premium supplier of full-time and part-time training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996. ITC also offers a wide range of Distance and Online learning courses.

This is not the first win for the college, which won the Excellence in Service Delivery and Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality awards in 2010