Danielle Richardson Click this link to read about Danielle's success

 
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Vicky Waldron I started my Modern Apprenticeship at the Coop Travel Warrington branch on 1st July 2002. I was there for 4 years and loved every minute of it. I was a mentor who was there for me every minute of the day, which was really comforting, and I also had my assessor that came to visit me on regular visits to assist me with my NVQ, who was always a great help and always made me feel like I wasnt on my own, which is really important when you are young and starting a new job.

I always finished ahead of my targets in Warrington and after 1 year I finished at 490k, just short of the 500k club, which was a real achievement, especially as I was the youngest member of my team. I also went to college in the first 2 years, which I really loved and still miss now. I had the opportunity to learn more from the other MA's, but more importantly, I made friends and built relationships with people I can still ring for advice today.

After 4 years in Warrington, I was then approached to be Assistant Manager of Allerton Road branch, in Liverpool. I was shocked to say the least, that I had been chosen to do a job like this, that required Team Building and good Management skills. It was a very challenging 3 and a half years, but I loved every minute of it. At the Allerton branch, I completed my Team Leading, Customer Service and Management NVQ's. It was made a little easier for me as I always had my assessor to ring, which I did a lot, but it was very comforting to know that help was always there if I needed it. I found these NVQ's more challenging than the NVQ Level 2 and 3 I had done previously, but as Training For Travel told me at the time, they were not as challenging as I thought as I did it everyday whilst I worked. They just guided me in the right direction.
After completing my Management Level 3 NVQ,  I was then approached to be Manager in the Speke branch. I was so overwhelmed to be asked to be a Manager at just 23 years old! I am the youngest Manager on the Management Team, but I love it. It just goes to show that without the help of Training For Travel to get me through my NVQ programmes, I definitely would not be where I am today. Their dedication to get me through my programmes is what made the difference. I have been in my new job now for 6 months & i've got a new girl starting soon and I will definitely be signing her up onto an NVQ programme with Training For Travel, as I swear by them!
 
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Zunaid Patel enrolled onto the Travel Services level 2 NVQ programme in 2001/2002 with Training For Travel. He was unemployed at the time and knew that this course was a step in the right direction to a career in travel. During the length of the programme he was given a work placement at Holidays by Phone in Manchester. This was where he was able to collect his evidence for his NVQ portfolio. His role involved booking holidays and making enquiries on behalf of clients over the telephone in a call centre environment. He attended training sessions at Training For Travel to gain knowledge of the Travel Industry and to satisfy the knowledge and understanding element of his NVQ programme. The training sessions included topics such as package holidays, legal issues, destination training and many others. The knowledge gained from the Training For Travel sessions, Zunaid applied at Holidays by Phone and increased his sales. After gaining the NVQ qualification Zunaid was offered a full time position at Holidays by Phone. He has since opened up his own Travel Agency in Blackburn. Martin Ward was sponsored by Travelcare throughout a two year training programme in partnership with Training For Travel, where he achieved NVQ levels two and three in Travel Services, Level 3 Technical Certificate, key skills Application of Number Level 2 examination and portfolio. During his study time, Martin learned about the following; customer services, extensive product knowledge, destination facts, different types of holidays and how to cost a holiday. Martin says, “I found my monthly training sessions to be of great help, they encouraged me to return back to the workplace having a better understanding of the how to deal with customers and how to offer the correct products and services. Each session built my confidence and gave me a great deal of knowledge and understanding”. Martin won the Travel Tourism Gazette (TTG) mystery shopper award. There were a total of four Travel Agents in Huddersfield involved in this award. Martin had been asked to recommend suitable accommodation and car hire in Florida.

Martin began his career as an Advanced Apprentice and he is now a Travel Advisor. He has just been transferred from Holmfirth to the Huddersfield Branch of Travelcare. Huddersfield is a bigger branch in a town centre location. He proved he was capable of this transition after winning the TTG award whilst covering at the Huddersfield branch. Martin has progressed a great deal during his training with TFT, he has gained confidence and is making excellent progress on sales.
 
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Kimberley McGlashen started working for Co-op travel at Old Swan branch age 16 as modern apprentice year 2001-2003. In the September of 2001 she started going to college at Manchester with TFT 2 days per week and gained NVQ Travel Services Level 2.

She then continued her training with TFT the September of 2002 and went to college 1 day per week and completed her NVQ Travel Services Level 3.
She was then taken on as Travel Advisor at Kirkby branch in 2003 and that year achieved £450k of sales.

Then completed NVQ Customer Services Level 3.
She was also a mentor to Francine who won Modern Apprentice of the year.
Kim then took a year out to travel to Australia 2005-2006.
On her return, she was welcomed back with Co-op and started back at Wise Allerton branch in November 2007 and worked there for a few months as a Travel Advisor.

She was taken on at Prescot branch as Customer Services Manager the beginning of 2008 and started working towards NVQ Team Leading Level 2.
She then became involved with Capital of Culture events and completed 5 workshops with them which have been really beneficial to Kim as she has gained more confidence from the workshops which has helped her within her new role at Prescot.Kim also adds that they were really fun to be involved in.
 
"Working with TFT on all my NVQs has given me a better understanding of everything involved with travel. I don't think I would be where I am today with the guidance and training from the assessors and trainers from TFT".
 
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Danielle Pearsall started her apprenticeship with TFT in August 2008; She completed her Level 2 qualification back in May 2009 and has recently started her final year (Level 3). Coming into the travel industry she had very little worldwide knowledge, let alone know how to sell a holiday! 

But from the first day she stepped through the travel agency door she was welcomed into the shop and the staff really helped her get settled, I wasn’t long before she felt like part of the team. After getting settled into the store for a few weeks it was off for some training. When she arrived at the venue Danielle was happy to see some familiar faces from the induction workshops. Danielle went on to say, "I met my assessor Jo Harber from Training For Travel who is a FAB Trainer and great friend. The course work is set up into modules/units and it is a great feeling when you get them signed off. The work is explained in depth and easy to understand. If I ever need help Training For Travel are just a phone call or e-mail away. I have also gained close relationships with other apprentices within my company, as you’re all in the same position and everyone is always willing to lend a hand. Since starting with Training For Travel and my company, I have received fantastic help from my manager and mentor & I’m now confident selling all types of holiday’s and my customer service has improved too...

I’m really enjoying my choice of career in travel so far, my confidence has improved and i feel with the help from my colleagues and Training For Travel I will make a success out of any opportunities that come my way over the following year’s.

I’ve had the best start to my career that I could have hoped for, and would like to thank everyone who got me this far.”

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Sam Marsden began her career in travel as a Modern Apprentice working towards and NVQ in travel services at level 2 and 3, Application and Number & Communication key skills at level 2 & technical certificates in UK Geography and worldwide destinations level 2 and 3. Sam went on to say, " I thoroughly enjoyed working towards the travel qualifications & completed them fully.
I wanted to keep learning and gaining more qualifications so I discussed with my branch manager and assessor about progressing onto the Customer Service qualifications. I went on to complete Customer Service level 2 and 3 along with its technical certificate."

Sam is currently progressing quickly with her sales qualification, with the very best support from her assessor. Sam added, "I think NVQ's are invaluable. The very concept of being able to work towards qualifications with the support of my manager and assessor from TFT, whilst conducting her daily job role is fantastic."

Sam is also heavily involved with training projects with her employers head office, which is great for her experience and to be able to put all of her knowledge acquired from her NVQ programmes into practice is just fantastic.