Travel data skills development academies to launch in November

Employers are being urged to find out more about new data analytics apprenticeships, tailored for the travel and tourism industry, at webinar briefing sessions in August and September.

The data skills academies will start on November 30 and professional services firm Grant Thornton is inviting travel firms to hear more at briefing sessions on August 2, August 24 and September 19.

The development of courses for the wider travel industry follows the launch of apprenticeship schemes at level 3 and level 4 to improve data skills in business travel.

Grant Thornton partnered with BPP School of Technology and the Business Travel Association to create the data skills academies through funded apprenticeship schemes.

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Data skills apprenticeship created for business travel sector to be extended

Twenty-six employees from BTA members and partners began their tailored data skills courses in June, studying via webinars and one-to-one coaching during work hours.

Sue Ledgard, talent solutions consumer industry lead at Grant Thornton, said the latest courses would suit any firms within the travel sector, ranging from airlines to hotels, coach operators, car rental companies, tour operators and travel agents.

They offer the chance for employees to learn alongside peers across the leisure sector, share best practice, network, and learn how to make better decisions based on evidence derived from data.

She said many in the travel sector would currently be analysing data about the current wildfires in the Greek islands, looking at ways to repatriate customers or move them to alternative accommodation, as well as the costs involved.

“Things happen so quickly in travel – such as adverse weather conditions, fuel price increases etc – all of which need immediate action. Being able to analyse data promptly is key in these situations,” she said.

She highlighted how data literacy is one of the top skills which will increase in importance between 2023 and 2027. According to Microsoft, 90% of the world’s data was created in the last two years, and worldwide volumes of data are predicted to grow by 61% by 2025.

Ledgard said the courses would suit most travel staff who work with spreadsheets, adding: “You don’t have to work in a data department or have the word ‘data’ in your job title.

“The agents on the current business travel courses include staff from sales, client accounts, operations, and HR departments.”

The courses can help those working in HR by analysing trends about sickness days, staff turnover, salaries, gender pay gaps and recruitment.

There is also a training module covering environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and sustainability – essential knowledge for the travel sector, she added.

The hour-long online briefing sessions will cover the benefits of the apprenticeships, which job roles will suit the courses, training delivery methods and learning outcomes. For details, email Sue Ledgard at sue.k.ledgard@uk.gt.com