Agents facing the prospect of redundancy once the furlough scheme is wound down later this month have been handed a lifeline by homeworking agency Holidaysplease.
The firm will waive its usual £387 joining fee for experienced agents who will lose their jobs once furlough support tapers off at the end of September.
Agents can apply for a role through the company’s website and, if successful, will be offered a three-day induction before being set up on Holidayplease’s internal system.
New recruits will be able to build and sell to their own client base, or use the firm’s internal enquiry pool to chase new leads.
Cat Reeves, Holidaysplease brand and business growth executive, said agents joining the firm would be given as much or as little support as they want and were free to be "left to their own devices" if they wish after joining.
However, she stressed support from the agency’s head office, as well as its marketing, sales and admin teams, would always be there for new recruits.
"There is going to be a lot of people out of jobs at the end of furlough, so we wanted to put this together for two reasons," Reeves told TTG. "One is that we realise we’re lucky to have got through this [Covid] well – obviously, we’ve been hurt by it, everyone has, but we’re in a good position. We’re hungry to grow the team and make it bigger and stronger.
"We also really want to grab some of the really good talent out there that will, unfortunately, end up being out of a job. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to have people with us who are experienced and who love the industry."
Reeves said she had heard from people who have "never done anything but [sell] travel" who have been left to worry about the future of their careers. "It’s heartbreaking. I know people who have lost their jobs already.
"I’ve seen lots of personal stories from people who have built up their own businesses that have gone under. I’ve spoken to people who have never done anything but travel since they left school at 16 and they’re now middle aged thinking, ‘what am I going to do?’. It’s scary and heartbreaking for a lot of people.
"But it’s great that we are in a position to help. That’s what’s motivating us to do this. There’s not a lot of good news out there at the moment so the fact we can potentially bring some good news makes us feel absolutely humbled. We’re grateful to have the opportunity and also excited to be able to shine that light for people."
Anyone wishing to find out more should visit holidaysplease.co.uk/general/jobs, send the firm a message on Facebook or email careers@holidaysplease.com.