The UK’s largest independent agency has 669 apprenticeship places to fill – with an additional 30 at the company’s head office in Sunderland. 

Since 2015, more than 860 apprentices have been taken on in shops and head office roles. 

Hays Travel acquired Thomas Cook’s 555-store retail estate on 9 October and is now recruiting in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as all over England, for apprentices.

Those who join Hays Travel’s apprenticeship scheme will have a guaranteed job offered on successful completion of their training.

Almost half of the agency’s current managers began as apprentices.

Hays Travel was awarded Apprentice Employer of the Year by Investors in People and was featured in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For last year, when it achieved sales of more than £1 billion for the second year.

Those looking to join the apprenticeship scheme must complete an online application form, with shortlisted applicants invited to an interview assessment day.

John Hays, managing director, said: “Apprentices are at the heart of our business and are the future of the travel industry.  We have always placed huge value on bringing young people into the business, not least because they bring innovative ideas and in-depth knowledge in technology and online, helping us drive Hays Travel forward.

“We are looking forward to expanding our apprenticeship programme across the whole of the UK and ensuring we have apprentices in each branch.”

Victoria Hill, Hays Travel’s head of recruitment, added: “We are looking for individuals who have passion, drive, and enthusiasm. We aim to develop our apprentices to their full potential, both during the apprenticeship and afterwards – many of our current management team started as apprentices.”