The homeworking giant will take on up to 10 graduates, with each of the successful candidates earning a place on the Travel Counsellors Academy scheme worth £10,000.
Travel Counsellors said the initiative was designed specifically "to empower young talent with no prior industry experience to kick-start their own travel businesses".
The first intake could be as early as July 2024. Last year, Travel Counsellors teamed up with ITT to launch a similar scheme with an Apprentice-style pitching element, which has been retained for 2024.
As part of the application process, each candidate will need to submit a business plan, which will be reviewed by the Travel Counsellors recruitment team. Applicants will then invited to take part in a pitching session in front of a panel of industry experts at the firm’s support team centre in Manchester in May.
Successful scholars will benefit from a six-month training and onboarding programme, 10 days’ virtual classroom time and six months’ ongoing training, a personal mentor, a 12-month ITT and Clia membership, and access to Travel Counsellors’ digital platform Phenix, as well as the combined knowledge of its 2,000-strong community.
Matt Harding, director of franchise sales at Travel Counsellors, said the programme was designed to support young, ambitious entrepreneurs looking to set up their own travel businesses.
"The initiative will offer up to 10 graduates the chance to embark on their entrepreneurial journey with full, comprehensive support through our Travel Academy programme, eliminating the financial barrier with a waived £10,000 fee," said Harding.
"Our commitment to attracting the next generation of business owners to our community, providing unwavering support in their career journey and unlocking individual potential is something we are truly passionate about. We look forward to welcoming applicants and reviewing their travel business pitches."
Applications are open via the Travel Counsellors website. Travel Counsellors will be advertise the scheme on student job boards, while the ITT will promote it via its networks.
