They are part of Barrhead’s bespoke apprenticeship programme in conjunction with AS Training and Glasgow Clyde College. Gold Medal will partly fund the placements.

Travel courses in Scotland are set to disappear by the end of summer, and Barrhead said differences in funding levels compared with other areas of the UK have compounded the issue, with training providers able to claim triple the funding per head in England compared with Scotland. 
 
All apprentices taking part in the scheme will receive on-the-job training paired with classroom-style learning from Barrhead’s Training Academy. Every apprentice who completes the course will be offered a full-time position with the agency. 
 
Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson said: “Gold Medal’s support for our additional apprenticeship places is fantastic and a strong signal of their commitment to support young people into retail travel. 
 
“The funding situation in the UK, but particularly in Scotland, has been abysmal over the last year and we’re strongly advocating for change. Travel is being pushed out of the picture when it comes to government support for education – despite it offering incredible opportunities for long-term career development. 
 
“It is essential for the industry that we create a thriving talent pipeline – and it’s great that we have a passion and drive to do so. However, investment by industry is not sufficient and it is vital that the UK and devolved governments urgently turn their attention to future-proofing the travel industry by supporting education, college programmes and training for our youth employment.”