New Botany Campus Tutors

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the team of new tutors joining us at Botany Campus.

One of the key reasons ITC students go on to do us proud in their chosen area of work is because of our wonderful tutors. They bring real-world industry experience, knowledge and contacts, but more than that they take a personal interest in each and every student. If a student is prepared to work hard and show their passion and commitment for travel and tourism, our tutors will do all they can to help them realise their dreams. (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…)

ITC offers diploma qualification to Botany students

ITC welcomes their first Diploma class to their Botany Campus.

The International Travel College (ITC) Diploma in Tourism and Travel Management will be offered at the ITC Botany Campus from 2014, allowing students to take their studies to the next level.

“This is the first time a diploma-level qualification has been available to our South Auckland students,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “Previously, students have travelled to our City Campus for this course.” (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’s Amazing Race 2014

ITC’s first student event of 2014 was The Amazing Race.

This is a fun-filled day where students from ITC’s City and Botany Campuses race around Auckland performing crazy in full costume, with their eye on the prize! ITC have been running this event for over 6 years now, with ITC making sure that the students test their tourism knowledge of Auckland.

Challenges and quizzes meant that all the teams really had to try very hard. From belting out ballads at Vector Arena to team members spelling out ITC with their bodies in Aotea Square, it was a day not to be missed!

As always we had great support from our industry contacts, both during the race and  with some amazing donated prizes, including Explore NZ Americas Cup Sailing Experience, Stray Jack Passes to the Bay of Islands, Auckland Adventure Jet Rides, accommodation at Nomads Backpackers and free pizza and drinks at Globe Bar.

First and second place went to our City Campus teams with a FANTASTIC time of 1hr 30mins and 1hr 35mins respectively, and third place went to a Botany Campus team with a time of 1hr 45mins. There were also prizes for the best-dressed teams and sportsmanship on the day.

With the sun out and a beautiful end point at the Auckland Domain, the day provided a wonderful chance to get out and about with our ITC family.

Thanks to everyone who particpated!

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.”

An insight into Emirates

Chelsea at Emirates Aviation College in Dubai.

ITC graduate Chelsea McNeil has achieved a fantastic role at Emirates. She recently moved to Dubai and completed her training at Emirates Aviation College. Here she gives us an inside look at what it’s like once you land your dream job!

The first week focused on inducting the new recruits into the Emirates team. Chelsea says this involved medical checks, lots of speeches from different departments, and uniform fitting. The training group was also split into four batches of around 15 people for team-building activities.

“I was pretty exhausted that first week – getting up at 5am and still feeling a little jet lagged from the flight over – but I soon adjusted,” she says.

With the initial induction over, the training began in earnest.

First up was 13 days of training on safety and emergency procedures.

“The training is intense,” says Chelsea. “You learn so much in one day and then you get home and study everything you’ve learnt that day, plus more for the next day, plus homework.”

“We had practical exams every day in the amazing simulators – they create such a real environment especially during turbulence and decompression scenarios.”

The three trainers (from India, Mauritius and South Africa) were “awesome” she says.

After safety and emergency training, Chelsea had her first weekend off without any study.

She started off with some shopping at the massive Dubai Mall: “Over 1200 shops! I only managed to walk around half of the mall in 4 hours!”

Sheikh Zayed Road, home to most of Dubai’s skyscrapers is also spectacular, says Chelsea, especially at nighttime when all the buildings are lit up.

Back at training the following week Chelsea and her classmates undertook group medical training.

“It’s a little more extensive than a general First Aid course,” she jokes. “It takes about 5 days and I even learnt how to deliver a baby!”

After medical training the team picked up their uniforms and rushed home to try them on.

Image and grooming training followed. “This is a fun day where we learnt about skin care, makeup, hair, nails, fitness and nutrition and uniform.”

Next on the schedule was security. Here the trainees learnt how to conduct all security checks on board, learnt about hijacking and bomb threats and how to react in those situations.

The final part of training was service, and Chelsea says that once again the fantastic trainers made it a lot of fun.

Three final practical assessments in the simulator tested the trainees on everything they had learnt – medical, security, safety and emergency.

“It was our chance to practice everything we learnt and put it together,” says Chelsea. “It was such a great feeling to finish training!”

The graduates were then assigned their first two flights, where they are able to observe everything and experience what happens in the real world.

Chelsea’s first flight was to Chennai in India (MAA) on the Boeing 777, and she loved it.

“It was a turnaround flight, so 4 hours there and 4 hours straight back. The coolest thing was being able to sit in the cockpit for takeoff and landing. The 180-degree view was incredible.”

Getting career confidence back with ITC

ITC Students who are studying via Distance Learning at one of their workshops

More than half of our DOL students study from home because they are looking after young children. After a few years staying at home, many lose confidence in their employment prospects.

DOL graduate Lynda says, “I felt like I had had so much time off that I had become a recluse and didn’t know how to be in the public eye anymore or approach customers with confidence. I even thought I would forget everything I had learnt in previous employment.”

Another graduate Margaret adds: “I didn’t apply for a job for months after completing my course, as I thought they would decline my application as I had not been in the work force for so long.”

Many parents want to take care of their child at home. But DOL graduate Hazel found that getting out there had a positive impact on both her and her child. “Getting a job meant I could earn much more money to support myself and my child, while also gaining a social life outside of our house. I think many single mothers don’t want to send their child to childcare so soon. It seems hard at first but you and your child will adapt,” she says.

Lynda says that the ITC course helped her a great deal. “Training with ITC contributed a lot to gaining my confidence back. Having the phone assessments and orientation, and even graduation, and being amongst other people was a boost. With anticipation I wanted to get back into the work force and show off some recapped skills,” she says.

Lynda is also an advocate of gaining work experience while you study and says that having a part-time, casual job gave her a big confidence boost.

Margaret found that getting out there and applying for jobs was a useful learning experience in itself. “I wasn’t successful in my first application. I didn’t let that get me down: I used it as a learning curve. I took out my ITC notes on career preparation to make sure I was ready. For my next application, I knew exactly what I was going to say to any question asked, and was able to reply back in full confidence.”

Margaret now works for the call centre at Qantas Airways, Lynda is working for Flight Centre in Perth (WA) and Hazel works at Auckland Airport for Menzies Aviation.

As Margaret says: “Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams. If you prepare for your interview, all will fall into place and your dreams will come true!”

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