Abta LifeLine to help travel pros transition into other sectors

As part of the scheme, applicants will have a dedicated one-to-one with a member of the People 1st International team, who will be able to advise them on the most appropriate courses and learning packages to enhance their existing skills and gain critical new sector-specific skills, while matching them to available roles.

The new redeployment service costs £50 to register, which may be reimbursed upon employment. Interested applicants can also apply to Abta LifeLine for help with the cost if they are struggling financially.

They can also still apply to LifeLine for additional support, including a crisis grant, debt and benefit advice, and mental health and wellbeing support.

Trudie Clements, Abta LifeLine director, said the scheme would allow travel professionals to apply their "highly-valued transferrable skills" to a different sector that is actively hiring.

"The travel industry is sadly going through a challenging time when it comes to employment right now because of the impacts of the pandemic. This scheme will help our people until a fuller recovery takes place and opportunities open up again."

People 1st International UK director Sandra Kelly said: “Travel sector employees have especially valuable skills in areas such as planning and logistics, complex problem solving and going above and beyond to meet customer expectations.

“We’re seeing a host of job opportunities opening up in industries where transferable skills are high in demand and we’re keen to help place motivated and passionate professionals with employers seeking complementary values.”

Anyone wishing to access the service should visit abtalifeline.org.uk/redundancy.