Derby’s Capita Travel and Events celebrates inspirational apprentices

Capita Travel and Events has celebrated the achievements of a group of Derby based apprentices in its first graduation ceremony. 

The celebration was used to recognise 17 employees who have successfully completed studies for a qualification; commonly referred to as an NVQ and now known as an apprenticeship. 

Capita Travel and Events employs over 800 people across the UK and is committed to investing in their ongoing learning and development. Its apprentices study for qualifications in business and administration or customer service alongside their day jobs as business travel consultants – responsible for booking hotels, rail, air, meetings and other travel services in accordance with customers’ business travel policies.  

Charlotte Young, director of people development, Capita Travel and Events, said: “Business travel and events are competitive industries and recruiting people with experience and skills is a challenge. As part of the resurgence of apprenticeships, we want to work with local communities to help bridge the gap between education and the workplace and build the skills required to deliver the best service to our customers.”

Zoe Keetley-Bowditch, hotel consultant, is one of the successful apprentices who graduated. She said: “I was offered the chance to gain an additional qualification as soon as I joined Capita Travel and Events. I came from a retail management background and it was clear that my tutors and manager had high expectations of me; they signed me up for the highest level achievable. That gave me a massive confidence boost from the start. I’ve already been adapting my new skills for my role and it’s resulting in savings for our customers and further opportunities for me within Capita Travel and Events.”

Capita Travel and Events recently recruited six new apprentices for its Derby office after the roles were advertised on the National Apprenticeship website. They also worked with Derby College to engage travel and tourism students during the launch of this latest talent search; four of the six new apprentices were recruited from the college as a result.

Charlotte continued: “Our work doesn’t stop here. We’re delighted to be part of an industry advisory group that is responsible for developing an apprenticeship standard in event management. The standard is currently being written and refined by Capita Travel and Events and other event industry employers so that it can provide the best apprenticeship scheme possible for those seeking an alternative entry route into the events industry. We’re hoping that this apprenticeship will be live in the early part of next year.”

In the mean time, Capita Travel and Events will be holding similar graduation style events across the UK to celebrate successful apprentices in other locations.

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