The incredible opportunities of our Schools Team Experiences

Posted on 27/08/2025 by Hayley Clark

Back in 2024, ITC launched a new service for high schools – Experiences.

These Tourism Experiences offer high schools the ability to offer their year 12 and 13 students a chance to enjoy travel and tourism experiences from an industry-recognised provider. These courses invite students to study for a day per week for seven weeks during term time, where they will get hands-on training, with practical skills and knowledge, all from the tourism industry professionals at ITC.

How it all began

It all began when the ITC noticed that there was no offering of a Tourism Academy in South Auckland. The team carefully put together an option for those students wanting a strong pathway into the tourism or airline industry.

We quickly realised that some students could not commit to the 30 days in the year and designed smaller experiences that focussed on two very popular areas of our industry.

Now, the team meets each year and discusses the needs of schools nationwide and creates wonderful opportunities like these experiences to support tourism education in schools. This year we have adapted to add an option to have a shorter programme which was created with a strong focus on two very different areas of the industry.

We have had full classes in all experiences this year and are already receiving bookings for 2026! 

What’s on offer in 2026

Our dedicated schools team can offer 3 incredible options for schools:

• The full 30 week Business of Tourism Experience (1 day per week during term time)
• 7 week Airline & Airport Experience (1 day per week. Options in term 2 & 3)
• 7 week Adventure & Leadership Experience (1 day per week. Options in term 2 & 3)

Here is a little more information about each amazing experience, which is available to any year 12 or 13 student.

Business of Tourism Experience: Tuesdays (Botany Campus)

This fantastic course option gives students the opportunity to learn about tourism from a business point of view, with a real focus on the entrepreneurial side of things that Kiwis are so famous for.

This level three academy ensures learners can get the best start in the industry. Additionally, this course covers a range of sectors, including adventure tourism, airline and airports, accommodation, activities, attractions and many more. 

We have a strong focus on communication, cultural awareness, enterprise & marketing, customer service, leadership, public speaking and presentation skills. These are all valuable skills our industry demands of their future workforce.

Dates: Each Tuesday in term 1, 2 & 3
Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Credits included: 30 credits at level 3
Cost: $2,050+gst per student
Location: ITC Botany Campus

Airline & Airport Experience: Mondays (Botany Campus and Auckland City Campus)

This Experience is complementary to our very popular Flight Attending Short Course. We do not repeat the same units, but rather build on the experience.

Students will cover the exciting various roles in this very popular part of our industry, meet professionals to learn what it takes to do their work, and walk away with a career plan to reach their career goals.

Dates: Auckland Botany Campus: Each Monday for 7 weeks (Options in term 2 & 3)
Dates: Auckland City Campus: Each Friday for 7 weeks (Options in term 2 & 3)
Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Credits included: 10 credits at level 3
Cost: $670+gst per student
Locations: ITC Auckland City Campus or ITC Botany Campus 

Adventure & Leadership Experience: Fridays (Auckland City Campus)   

The Adventure & Leadership Experience is additional to the Adventure Short Course we offer and does not include the same unit standards. This is ideal for those students who love the outdoors and the adventure that comes from those experiences, and is perfect for students who wish to develop their leadership skills.

We discover how to best represent an organisation, the importance of safety, accessible tourism and of course how we can create unique experiences for customers. Students will experience different aspects in this experience to build on the skills they have already learned and participate in different site visits.

Dates: Each Friday for 7 weeks (starting week 1 in term 2)
Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Credits included: 10 credits at level 3
Cost: $800+gst per student
Location: ITC Auckland City Campus 

Why sign up for one of these Tourism Experiences

The advantages of these experiences for students is that they get to truly grow confidence and a deeper understanding of the industry. They can make an informed choice, with some deciding to study travel and tourism full-time once they finish high school. This helps them during their senior years and is guaranteed to help students focus and understand the importance of their education to reach their career goals.

The foundations students create during these experiences are truly remarkable, and we’ve seen these graduates shine in their full-time studies. They know what to expect, how to be the best version of themselves and much more. Our team is grateful to be a part of this journey with them and see the value of this on their CVs to help them gain part-time work and incredible roles when graduating. 

ITC’s own Mel and Ceri Jenkins have been heavily involved with the Business of Tourism Academy. They explain why the academy is so important for up-and-coming students in the industry: “We know many people who now work in tourism wish there was something available like this for them when they were in school. It would have provided the exact pathway they were looking for and really opened their eyes to management and business ownership within tourism.”

Mel goes onto to say “I’ve personally seen our Academy students have exciting employment opportunities because this Academy was on their CV. The skills and confidence that students gain through their journey not only builds a strong tourism foundation, but also valuable skills needed in for any career students choose to pursue in future.”

And finally, here’s a quote from a school Vocational Pathway Coordinator who has seen the success of these ITC courses first-hand: “I wanted to also commend you and your great team at ITC for welcoming our students and supporting them through their learning, development and growth. They are always filled with excitable energy and positivity when I pick them up after the course on Monday afternoons. Again thank you, you and your team are truly making a great difference for our students.”

If you have any students interested in these courses or have any queries at all, please contact schools@itc.co.nz to secure their place now.

Posted in In Schools, News | Tagged ITC Award winning training, Study Travel & Tourism, Tourism Experiences |