ITC delivers a Customer Service workshop for the Explore Group

The Explore Group during the Customer Service workshop with ITC’s Mel Jenkins.

ITC is known for offering exceptional qualifications and certifications to high school and college students in New Zealand – but we also often provide workshops for businesses as well.

Recently, we delivered a Customer Service workshop for the Explore Group. The Explore Group is a tourism operator based in Auckland, Bay of Islands and in the Whitsunday Islands Australia that offers incredible cruises and sailing adventures around in these amazing locations.

We first worked with the Explore Group back in 2017, and have continued to help develop their customer service skills ever since.

The Customer Service workshop

This year, our two-hour workshop helped their Bay of Islands team to prepare for the busy season ahead.

We covered:

• Effective communication within a team – The team vs the individual when it comes to the customer experience.
• Communication & customer service – Discuss communication and the impacts on the overall experience. Components of communication and the importance of connecting with our customer.
• Understanding our customer – Who is our customer, how do we adjust our service for these customers, how can we make it easier, overcoming challenging conversations and managing customer expectations.
• Where to from here? Discussing feedback and setting positive goals as a team to improve the customer journey.

Mel Jenkins, who ran the workshop, had this to say about the event:

“It was a pleasure to once again deliver professional development to the team at Explore.  In preparation I had already seen the amazing efforts through the positive feedback from their customers. This was a great way to start the session off and discuss how we can truly connect with our customers, share our story and make their product a truly unique experience.  Sharing the knowledge in the room with all team members gave opportunity for team bonding and walking away seeing the value in a team effort. Even though we only had two hours, we filled every moment with future tools to prepare everyone for a promising and busy season ahead.”

“I personally feel that investing in the staff at this point of the year is not only an investment in the business itself but shows the team that they are valued. This is why I asked all staff who attended to complete a final goal setting activity. Even in a workplace that operates well can always find ways to improve. We are always learning and doing this as a team means a truly successful one.”

Workshop feedback

Of course, we also asked the attendees how they felt about the course! Here are some of the great responses we received:

• I’m looking forward to building more workplace relationships with the crew and customers.
• Great experience and really worth doing. It was good to share with everyone.
• 5 stars for the trainer as knowledge is the key to understanding. Nice and friendly environment. Nice to be reminded of our own power for customer service.
• Was a great bonding/team experience. Mel was informative – overall 5 stars.
• Mel is awesome – it was her freshness knowing her time in the industry that has inspired my goals
• Mel was awesome, approachable and had great energy.
• I enjoyed the emphasis on building unity and respect within the team.

Whether you’re interested in Online Learning, college study, Micro-Credentials or a personalised workshop held in your workplace, ITC is the training provider for you. Contact us today to learn more!

Tourism is NZ’s second largest export – and more incredible facts!

Get the latest exciting news about travel and tourism.

After the pandemic saw a global slowdown in travel and tourism, we’re now watching an incredible shift back to regular travel around the world.

Here are just some of the latest facts and statistics showcasing just how rapidly the market is growing, and therefore how many employees it will need to sustain the demand

Tourism is our second-largest export

For example, tourism is now New Zealand’s second largest export, which is especially important as Aotearoa faces other challenges, such as the recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle.

In the Hawke’s Bay, tourism operators are seeing huge visitor numbers, with the visitor economy recording its highest ever contribution to the regional GDP in the year to September 2023. Plus, some accommodation providers in the area recorded their busiest Januaries ever.

Visitor arrivals in New Zealand increased more than 800% in 2023

New figures from Tourism Satellite Account show that overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased by a massive 858.7% in the year to March 2023. That equates to more than 2.1 million people visiting our country and exploring everything there is to see and do here.

It’s no wonder so many local tourism and travel companies are seeking qualified staff to help cater to those visitors.

Tourism directly employs almost 200,000 people in New Zealand

The same Tourism Satellite Account data found that there were 189,432 people employed in New Zealand directly by the tourism industry. That’s an increase on the year before of more than 60,000 people – or 48%!

Overall, that means that a massive 6.7% of all people employed in Aotearoa are working in tourism.

International travel is set to hit $11 trillion in 2024

In 2024, the global travel market is expected to see $11 trillion spent on tourism.

This boom is said to signal a golden era of travel, and according to World Travel and Tourism Council President and CEO Julia Simpson, it’s no longer about a recovery.

“This is a story of the sector back at its best after a difficult few years, providing a significant economic boost to countries around the world and supporting millions of jobs,” she explained.

Enrol with a college at the heart of it all

Do you want to be one of the one in nine Kiwis working in travel and tourism? Do you want to get out and see the world as part of your work?

It can all start right here!

Get in touch to learn about our courses and how they prepare you for work in the industry with foundational skills and knowledge that will open doors to countless jobs across New Zealand and the world.

When you study from home, you can get started any time that suits you – even today! Take a look at our course options to see what might be best for your goals.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

5 reasons why you should choose a career in tourism and travel

These students are already investing in their future travel and tourism careers on our Academy.

Amongst the team at ITC, we have more than 250 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. And all we can say is: we love it, and we think you will too!

There are many, many reasons why we think you should choose a career in travel and tourism, but here are just five of the best.

1. Tourism is one of New Zealand’s biggest employers

If you’re ever unsure about your job security, keep in mind that tourism is one of the biggest employers in the country.

Recent figures show that tourism either directly or indirectly supported 317,514 jobs in early 2023. That’s a little over 11% of the entire job market in Aotearoa!

Having an industry-recognised qualification such as those offered by ITC and Study From Home is a huge selling point for anyone looking to work in this industry, and there’s no shortage of jobs out there.

2. Exciting workplaces

Have you ever visited a tourist attraction or taken a tour and thought the people working there have the best jobs ever?

Whether it’s a bungee operator, a tour guide, or a flight attendant, there are so many incredible jobs available in travel and tourism.

Just take a look at some of our student success stories to see what kind of jobs our recent graduates have been doing!

3. A fast growing industry

Tourism is growing incredibly quickly, picking up steam again after the slow down over the pandemic. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing industries on the planet, along with financial services and information & communication.

For those entering the workforce right now, that means your career could grow right along with the industry itself.

4. See the world

 Kiwis are known for their love of travel, with many of us heading away on OEs and exchanges in order to see more of the world.

Working in travel and tourism can be a fantastic way to explore more of the world. Here are just five of our recent graduates who are all overseas right now on incredible international exchanges following their studies.

Who knows where they might go next – and you could follow them!

5. Because you can get started right now!

Can’t wait to get started on an exciting career? ITC is enrolling right now, and you can either join a class that has just recently started (it’s not too late!), or begin next week on March 11 for the next New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel Level 3 (limited spots available).

Alternatively, you can sign up and get started any time you like with our Study From Home option, which lets you study from the comfort of your own home anywhere in New Zealand!

Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out how you can get started in this exciting industry.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Recommend a friend – and earn a $500 Pressie Card!

Recommend a friend and get a $500 Pressie Card!

Are you a current or past student of ITC? Do you know someone who would love to work in the travel and tourism industry? Or perhaps someone who wants a career change but isn’t sure where to start?

Not only could you be the person who helps them take that huge exciting step in their life, but you could also earn a $500 Pressie Card for your recommendation!

Our Recommend a Friend program usually offers ITC students and graduates a $300 Pressie Card for getting a friend to enrol with ITC or Study From Home. However, from now until June 2024, we’re upping that offer to a massive $500!

How to Recommend a Friend to ITC or Study From Home

Not sure how to go about recommending us to a friend? Here are a few suggestions!

Do you follow us on Facebook? We regularly share updates about our students, what we’re up to in the classroom, the fun tours we take, and so much more. Keep an eye out for anything you think your friend might like, then send it their way!

You can also let them know that ITC is a Fees Free provider. That means that your friend might be eligible to have their study fees covered – so they can earn a valuable qualification without taking on a student loan!

Another tip is to bring them in for an information session. We occasionally run fee Open Days, but you can also book a free info session for almost any time that suits you. This will give them a chance to see the campus, meet some of the team, and see how it all works in person.

Has your friend always wanted to travel, or work overseas? Plenty of our students enrol because ITC and Study From Home offer a great pathway for getting into the Disney Cultural Exchange Program.

Or how about letting them know about all the awesome things our graduates get up to after their studies? We regularly interview past students and share their success stories, which is a great way to see what kind of career options might be out there.

And of course, you can always share your own favourite memories and stories from your time studying with ITC or Study From Home. There’s nothing quite like word of mouth, especially when a recommendation comes from someone they know and trust!

What if you’re not an ITC or Study From Home student?

Even if you’re not an ITC or Study From Home student or past student, you can still benefit from this incredible offer.

If you recommend us to someone and they end up studying with us, we’ll say thanks with a $100 Pressie Card for you. Better yet, this is not limited, so if you recommend three people and they all enrol, then you’ll receive $300 worth of Pressie Cards!

Note that these incentives are for a limited time only and conditions apply.

Contact us today to learn more about our Recommend a Friend program, or with any questions you may have!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

10 things you didn’t know about ITC and our incredible team!

What is ITC’s connection to Sydney’s famous Mardi Gras celebration? Read on to find out!

The International Travel College – ITC – is special in so many ways.

You probably already know we’ve been helping students take their first steps into amazing travel and tourism careers for almost 30 years. You may have heard we have dedicated staff for helping students and graduates find and apply for industry roles. And you almost certainly know that you can take any of our courses online with our Study From Home option.

But there’s even more to us than that! Here are 10 incredible things you probably don’t already know about ITC, our whanau, and our graduates. (more…)

Meri Kirihimete! Our opening hours over the Christmas break

Meri Kirihimete from the team at Study From Home!

It’s that time of year again, when we take a break for the festive season and wish all of our students a very merry – and relaxing – Christmas and New Year.

This year we’re wishing for great weather, and making a resolution to continue providing exceptional training and education in travel and tourism throughout 2024!

Our offices will close at 5pm on December 20, and we will be back on January 8 2024.

How to enrol during the Study From Home Christmas break

If you’d like to enrol during this break, you still can!

To get started, explore our Courses Overview page to see which options are available to you in 2024.

Once you’ve decided which course is best for you, head to our enrolment portal. Here you’ll fill out a quick application form, and we’ll get back to you with confirmation as soon as we’re back in the office on January 8.

In the meantime, you can read some of our blogs about our recent successful students, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to check out the latest news and posts.

Enjoy the holidays!

 While we’re taking a well-earned break, we’re hoping you enjoy plenty of festive cheer with friends and loved ones this Christmas.

We can’t wait to meet our new students in the new year, and continue educating the next generation of travel and tourism superstars!

Get in touch with us before the break with any questions, otherwise we’ll catch you in January.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

An insider’s guide to working at Menzies Aviation

We chat to Katey Gemming from Menzies Aviation about what it’s like to work in such a large, well-known aviation company.

What’s it like to work at one of New Zealand’s biggest travel and tourism workplaces? We’ve already spoken to Shelby Cooper from International Working Holidays, and this time we’re chatting to Katey Gemming at Menzies Aviation.

Menzies Aviation provides ground support, fuel services, and air cargo services across the country and around the world, making them one of the most well-known names in the business.

Katey Gemming is currently a Human Resources Advisor for Menzies Aviation, so she has all the inside knowledge on what it’s like to work for this major company.

Can you tell our readers about your career? What roles did you do before you became an HR Advisor for Menzies Aviation?

I was in a customer service/office administrative role for 4 years. Before joining Menzies as a Time & Attendance Officer in 2019. I was unfortunately made redundant through Covid.

During this time, I worked as a Team Leader and worked closely with our HR Department.

I was over the moon when approached in 2022 by Menzies and asked to return in the same position, not long after I was given the opportunity moved into the HR Advisor role where I have been. I knew I always wanted to work in the airport and thoroughly enjoyed my time with Menzies and the people there, that when made redundant I knew someday I would come back.

What does an average day in HR look like?

It’s very true when they say working in HR is never a dull moment. My average day is looking into the future so to speak, looking ahead a month, and seeing what our recruitment numbers are like, where I need to prioritize focus. There is a lot of pre-screening candidates to find out what they’re looking for career wise and how we can help. I also follow up with new employees once they’ve settled in.

I work closely with multiple organisations to encourage and help people find work out of their studies, new change in their career, have been assisted by work and income, or relocating overseas to New Zealand.

What makes for an amazing Menzies Aviation staff member?

The staff members that stand out all share similar traits: Passionate, eager to continue learning, and flexible to the shift work lifestyle.

The shift work lifestyle can be very different and challenging for some people but is a big part of aviation. It is not for everyone and that’s okay. Someone who can commit and accommodate their time around shift work can truly lead into more opportunities.

What would surprise us about working for Menzies Aviation? Or is there anything unique about working for Menzies?

Menzies is so much bigger than most people realise.

We are one of the largest aviation services companies in across more than 60 countries, and 6 continents. I have been surprised countless times, whether it’s learning about the history of the company, how it thrived through two world wars, how your career in Menzies could really take you anywhere, and how it continues to keep growing as time goes by.

Learning and realising we are all working together to truly be a part of something big.

What career opportunities does an Airport Ambassador have ahead of them?

Ambassador roles are really good for getting your foot in the door! Whether to gain more customer service experience, learn more about aviation, or simply help you decide where you may want to go from there.

Most of our ambassadors do move up into permanent Check-in Agents roles which you can gain more experience, work closely and build rapport with airlines, those who have succeeded have go on to be Lead Agents, Duty Managers, Trainer, as a Turn Coordinator, and even work with Airlines (Qantas, Qatar, etc).

Finally, do you have any advice for anyone wanting to work for Menzies Aviation?

Show your passion in your work. It’s a good place to network with people in the aviation industry if you want to grow your career in aviation or travel & tourism.

ITC’s Employment Consultant weighs in

Sarndra Stephens is one of two of ITC’s dedicated Employment Consultants. She works closely with students, graduates and industry contacts such as Katey to help place talented individuals into amazing industry roles.

Here’s what she had to say about working with Katey and Menzies Aviation as a whole.

“We love working alongside Katey at Menzies to place our ITC students into Passenger ambassador roles, Front of House Check in Agent roles and other roles. Katey, Gemma and one of our ITC graduates came along again this year to our Annual ITC Industry Expo held here on campus and many students were immediately keen on the Passenger Ambassador Roles for their summer season. Katey did a special group interview session with those that were keen and we organised them into two of the Menzies induction dates. One date was easy as we had a group graduating and they did their induction a week after they graduated. I have had lots of happy photos from those students loving their new jobs. Another keen group have just spent their work experience week completing their induction and they will now work at Menzies while completing their studies. A great position to be in!”

“We are able to send CVs of keen students and graduates directly to Katey with some information on what makes each person special. As a result of this we have a huge contingent of our ITC graduates working for Menzies.”

Enrol today to kick start your travel or aviation career

ITC and Study From Home provide exceptional qualifications for anyone looking to enter the travel, tourism, or aviation industries. The skills and knowledge you’ll learn with us can set you up with a strong foundation for any job with any airline, airport, tourism operator or hospitality provider.

If you’ve ever dreamed of working in one of the most exciting industries on the planet, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to learn more about what we offer and how you can enroll now.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC celebrates the successes of our inspiring 2023 graduates

We love tourism, and we’re so proud to congratulate our many graduates who have already found amazing roles in the industry this year!

“ITC’s long history of consistently working so collaboratively with the airline, travel and tourism industry in New Zealand has led us to being the first point of contact for businesses looking to recruit the future tourism workforce,” says Ceri Jenkins, Key Stakeholder Manager for ITC.

“The combination of these extensive partnerships, quality of teaching and the dedication and hard work of our Employment Consultants, enables us to provide the best service to our students to truly stand by our promises when we first meet our prospective students whilst they are still in school, or in their initial meeting with our course advisor to see which study option is best for them,” he continued.

All this training and dedication leads us to the end of each year where we look back and celebrate our many inspiring students who have gained incredible roles in the travel and tourism industry all over Aotearoa and beyond.

Job outcomes for ITC graduates in 2023 

These are just a selection of some of the many job outcomes for our students this year:

These roles are as diverse as they are impressive, and represent some of the biggest industry names in travel and tourism in New Zealand.

ITC’s dedicated Employment Consultants

One of the many ways in which ITC stands apart from other education providers and tertiary institutions is our two dedicated Employment Consultants. Sarndra Stephens and Kirsten Leith work tirelessly to connect students and graduates with work opportunities, and to help them navigate the hiring process.

“It is truly amazing the turn around and speed of our graduates securing jobs well and truly before they finish. It shows that the students who have invested in education are sought after by employers in our industry. A lot of these jobs are gained through their work experience,” explained Kirsten.

“What a fabulous year it has been. It has been so exciting working with the students and opening their horizons to all the opportunities out there for them. I think I get as excited as they do when they have been accepted for an industry job and I love seeing the Facebook posts of the students heading to the USA to take up Disneyworld and other internships and see all their amazing photos. Our students are in the skies, at the airport, on land and sea and I am immensely proud of them all,” added Sarndra.

Study From Home

“We provide high value relevant training and if they apply themselves to their studies and work with us through the pathway to employment programme, students will gain employment in our truly amazing industry and go on to forge rewarding and exciting careers,” stated Ceri Jenkins.

With another year successfully behind us, we congratulate our many successful students and graduates on their new roles and adventures. We also look forward to meeting our next intake of students later this month on November 27, and eagerly await to see their journeys in travel and tourism unfold before us.

If you dream of a career in one of the most exciting industries in New Zealand, studying with ITC can be the perfect first step towards your goals. Explore our course options and contact us to learn more about enrolling today.

Meet the graduate who didn’t let a full-time job stop her from earning a valuable qualification

Study From Home graduate Cheytarna worked full-time during her studies, and is now working her dream role in aviation!

One of the best parts of learning with Study From Home is the ability to juggle an education with other major life commitments. Cheytarna Scott, a recent Study From Home graduate, is walking proof of just how much you can accomplish even with a full-time job.

Cheytarna worked full time and supported her grandparents while studying for a level 3 Certificate in Aviation. Today, her hard work has paid off, as she is working her dream job as a Flight Attendant.

We spoke to Cheytarna to learn more about why she signed up, how she found the experience of studying with us, and what she’s up to now.

How did your adventure begin with us at ITC?

I always wanted to study Aviation, Travel & Tourism, but I was not able to study full-time, especially without a full-time employee income. When I found ITC Study From Home I was excited and could not wait to touch base with the team.

After speaking with Richard, I was reassured that I was making the right decision to study with ITC, especially because I could still work full-time and support my grandparents whilst gaining my certificates.

What do you think ITC does different from other education providers?

Having the opportunity to study from home is a stand out for me! I love the fact that the course content is the same as an in-house course, so you know that you are not missing out on any learning opportunities.

I love that we are able to earn an income without sacrificing the need for knowledge, which can be used for career progression. The study-from-home team are supportive & gives you the information you need, just like you would receive studying in class.

What is your fondest memory of your time with Study From Home?

The best part of my journey as a Study-from-home student was the bond I made with all my tutors. They really did make my learning journey seamless & helped me to realise the potential I have. They inspired my love even more for the industry!

My real standout memory was gaining my Certificate in Aviation Level 3 with Distinction & getting Student of the year in 2018! 2018 was a real hard year for me personally and with the support of the tutors I was astounded to be awarded these.

What is your current adventure after ITC?

My current adventure in my career is being a Short Haul Flight Attendant – something that was just a dream over a year ago! My current adventure in my education is to study and complete my Diploma in Travel Level 5 with ITC Study from Home.

What will a typical day look like for you on this adventure?

As a flight attendant, a typical day starts off by heading to the airport. I fly both domestically and internationally, so depending on where I am heading that day, depends on where and how I prepare for my day.

Generally, I will meet up with my crew at the gate, we will have a briefing discussing our flight information and discuss any special requirements needing to be addressed. We will head to the aircraft, do our procedural checks and then welcome passengers.

Depending on the final destination, we will be preparing for a full service (including meals) or a domestic service (drinks and snacks). As a flight attendant, I am there to ensure the safety of the passengers, to make sure they are comfortable throughout the flight and to ensure that we all adhere to the policies and procedures to keep us safe and well.

How did ITC prepare or support you for this?

The units that I studied with ITC gave me an insight into how procedures are done and the importance of particular policies within the industry are upheld. The customer service aspect of the learning gave me insight into how to deal with people, especially difficult passengers.

Learning destination information – like airport and area codes – helped me to identify where I will be travelling to, or even to help customers (& other staff). I was given the skills and knowledge to understand Aviation security and the reason why it is strictly adhered to.

Learning about the different areas in the airport has highlighted the importance of how we must work as a team to make sure that the process is smooth and no mistakes are made.

What are you excited most about your journey from here?

I am excited to continue my studies in the Diploma in Travel Level 5. I am excited to further my education and dive deeper into the industry.

I am hoping to be able to further my skills and knowledge to aid in becoming a trainer/teacher. I would love to share my knowledge and inspire the next generation of students.

What advice do you have for others wanting to study tourism?

Just do it! The tourism, travel and aviation industry is booming (always has been) and it is so diverse, that there is a spot for each and every one of us. Once you have this industry in your blood, it is hard to shake! Be prepared to work hard and reap your rewards!

Study From Home on your own terms like Cheytarna

Cheytarna’s story is a shining example of someone who is passionate and driven. Despite being unable to study at a traditional in-person tertiary qualification, Cheytarna completed her level 3 qualification not just with Distinction, but as the Student of the Year!

If you’re working full time, caring for family, or have other commitments – you can still earn a valuable qualification! And the team at Study From Home would be right here to support you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can study from the comfort of your own home at times that suit your lifestyle.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet our first recipient of the Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship

Alison Ramo Oiofa is excited for the opportunities now open to her thanks to Study From Home and our travel and tourism qualifications.

Alison Ramo Oiofa is the very first Study From Home student who graduated the Level 3 Tourism Certificate after receiving Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship.

Alison, who lives and works in the Solomon Islands, found out about ITC and Study From Home through the New Zealand High Commission Office. Not only did she go on to gain the scholarship, but now she has completed her qualification, and is using it to take her next big step in her career!

We asked Alison a few questions about her time with us, what she’s doing now, and if she has any suggestions for future students.  

How did your adventure begin with us at ITC? How did you first hear or experience our college?

I heard from the New Zealand High Commission Office in the Solomon Islands.

What do you think ITC does different from other education providers?

They are different from other providers because:

• The offered me free short courses
• They reached out when we needed help
• They make sure we are doing well with our study
• They are even concerned about our welfare

If I could rate this education provider, I would rate it to 100%.

What was the best part of your Study From Home journey?

My best part of my journey is when I am on Zoom with my tutor and when we do the teamwork session.

What is your next/current adventure after ITC?

To work as a travel coordinator in our office, and planning that one day I will go and visit all the sights in New Zealand that I learned about during my studies.

Following on from the previous question about your next or current adventure, what will a typical day look like for you on this adventure?

I am currently working as a front desk officer at the Solomon Football Federation, and the good news is that since I have a good knowledge of travel from my online studies, I have submitted a letter of expression and informed them about the tourism Level 3 course I completed. I’m advising them that as soon as I receive my certificate, I will submit for a National Team Travel Coordinator role in our office that was advertised last month.

The National Travel Coordinator job description is basically to deal with flight bookings, applying for visas, making accommodation bookings when the team travels both domestically and internationally. That’s why I am so proud and look forward for this position with the support of this qualification.

How did ITC prepare or support you for this?

ITC supported me with the knowledge of understanding different types of travels, types of visas, calculating days and times in and around the world. Knowing different types of people and their characters, their dislikes and likes, and how to deal with them in a rightful way, and much more.

What are you excited most about your journey from here?

I am so excited because with this certificate it promotes me from where I am today.

What advice do you have for others wanting to study tourism?

Tourism creates thousands of jobs. It boosts the economy and develops the infrastructures of a country.

Therefore, I kindly advise you to avoid overanalysing things, it’s common to experience some shyness or anxiety before entering a new school. Nobody is flawless the first time they do something. Pose a lot of questions if you are uncertain about something, and invest a lot of time in your CV.

Study From Home like Alison

Study From Home offers an excellent opportunity to earn a qualification in travel and tourism, and learn all about the industry, how it all works, and the kinds of jobs you could do.

While Alison received a scholarship, don’t forget that you might be eligible for the Fees Free programme, which could cover some (or all) of your course costs.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team and learn more about how you could get qualified from the comfort of your own home, whenever it suits you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC’s free events a major hit with future students, students, and graduates!

ITC’s free events have been a huge hit with future students, current students, and graduates!

ITC recently hosted 4 incredible free events for anyone wanting to explore International Exchanges or the huge variety of airline roles available to our graduates. These were very popular and it’s been so incredible to meet so many excited visitors securing their places over the last two weeks.

Here’s more info about the events, and details about new events coming up!

(more…)

Meet Apii Tavioni: The graduate who landed a great role with Go Holidays

Apii in her role at Helloworld.

Like many of our students, Apii Tavioni first learned about ITC through our high school short courses. That led to an interest in travel and tourism, and now she’s working in an incredible job with Go Holidays!

We recently asked her a few questions about her journey, and Employment Consultant Sarndra Stephens also offered her excitement for Apii. (more…)

From Study From Home to Weta Workshop to AJ Hackett: Meet the graduate making waves!

Annie Shields is a Study From Home graduate working for Weta Workshop and AJ Hackett.

ITC and Study From Home are special education providers for many reasons. One of those reasons is because we care about our students so much that we stay in touch long after they graduate. We love hearing how their careers are going, and we’re always on hand to help them with their job hunts thanks to our Employment Consultants.

Sometimes, we hear from graduates who blow us away with their success. One such graduate is Annie Shields. Annie is working two part-time jobs right now, one for Weta Workshop as a tour guide, and one for AJ Hackett at the Bridge Bungy.

Of course, we had to get in touch and learn more about her amazing journey so far.

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home?

I chose ITC study from home because I was moving from Hamilton to Auckland as well as working part-time so I needed a lot of flexibility at that time. I went to Go With Tourism and learned about the opportunities people got through ITC and decided it was the perfect choice for me.

Where do you currently work and what does your job entail?

I currently work casually at Weta Workshop Unleashed in Auckland as a tour guide and I work part-time at AJ Hackett Bridge Bungy Jump.

What are the highlights about your role?

I love speaking to people from other places and getting to talk about our amazing country and contribute to their trip.

Has any of the study content been valuable in your current role?

Study content I learned at ITC has really helped me, it built my knowledge as well as my confidence. Destination New Zealand and communications was especially helpful.

What does your current study/work routine look like?

I work at AJ Hackett three days a week and two other days at Weta but I would be there every day if I could.

Do you have any words of wisdom for others out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

Study from home is an excellent choice if you need flexibility, I was pleasantly surprised by how much support was offered the whole time.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

I have applied for the Disney internship program so hopefully excited for that. My dream has always been to be a tour guide and I feel very on track for that thanks to ITC Study From Home.

Looking to make waves in travel and tourism like Annie?

Annie is just one great example of a student doing amazing things in the travel and tourism industry – and she’s just getting started.

If you’re interested in earning a valuable qualification in travel and tourism, our ITC courses could be the perfect option. You can study on campus with ITC, or with Study From Home like Annie did.

Contact us today to learn about our courses, and how they can kick start your career! 

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet the super-mum who earned her qualification with kids at home and a full-time job!

Super-mum Hitty studied from home to earn her qualification from ITC.

At Study From Home and ITC, we often meet incredible, hard-working people. Recent graduate Hitty Sarpal is a great example.

Hitty chose Study From Home for the flexibility, as not only did she have young kids at home, she also worked a full-time job! Her hard work and dedication is proof that with motivation and will-power, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

We asked Hitty a few questions about her studies, how she managed it all, and what she wants to do next.

Did you enjoy learning with Study From Home?

I am very glad and Privileged that I pursued my Travel and Tourism study in International Travel College of New Zealand (Study From Home). I like that I am studying something that I am passionate about. I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying a Travel and Tourism course at ITC college.

How did you juggle study with being a mum?

The best thing about studying from home is that I could study at absolutely any time I wanted. I would put an hour or two aside, during kids nap time or sometimes my in-laws would look after them for an hour or two while I am studying, which allows for 100 percent ‘me’ time. But I always made sure to help in laws in the household chores to balance out the things and not to put all pressure on them.

My husband after work will take my kids out for a walk or park to support my learning. Learning online allowed me to keep up my professional skills, as I was super scared that I would lose touch base with them when I became a Mum.

What was your favourite thing about Study From Home?

I really think that the flexibility of studying from home is what allowed me to complete my Certificate! It’s hard to put aside time when there’s always so much to do, but it’s really worth it because it allows you to be ‘you’. Plus: You can totally study in your PJs on your sofa and no one will judge you!

Most importantly, it doesn’t sacrifice missing those moments that you want to be there for: your kids and husband (especially for the days he worked from home). To support my husband, I picked up a full-time job in the Ministry of Social Development in between my study and after that it was challenging to juggle between my job, kids, and study initially, but I managed to utilise my time management skills and made sure I gave sufficient time to my studies.

Was there anything you were nervous about when you started studying?

If I look back at the time when I started this journey with ITC, I was nervous and was not sure if I would be able to complete this course but I had great support from the tutors and they were always there to guide me, which made this journey so much easier.

My family has recently migrated to Australia, and I am looking for a job. I feel confident in my ability to find employment with one of the reputable companies and pursue my goal of becoming a ticketing agent.

I hope my story will motivate all the other moms and inspire them to pursue their goals in life. I am proud of what I have achieved over the last and this year. I really want to thank the manager and tutors at ITC for the support and guidance.

Looking to make a change?

Are you looking to make a change in your life, but unsure how when you’ve already got a full plate with work, family, or other commitments?

Study From Home allows you to earn a valuable qualification in travel and tourism, all without leaving the comfort of your home. You can start at any time and study at your own pace, all with the support of our wonderful tutors.

Sign up for a FREE trial to see what it would be like to study online, or get in touch with any questions today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Melissa Tanthadilok – the SFH graduate whose online studies led her to an incredible dream job!

Melissa chose Study From Home so she could continue to manage her work and family life while earning a qualification.

One of the best parts about earning a qualification with Study From Home is that our online portal makes it all incredibly flexible and convenient.

That’s exactly what drew graduate Melissa Tanthadilok to our courses. And now, she can look back and see exactly how what she learned has set her up for her fantastic position as a FIT Reservation Consultant.

Read on to see our full interview with Melissa and why Study From Home was the perfect choice for her.

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home?

One of the most significant reasons was flexibility, as I can create my schedules in order to balance my study with work, family and my other responsibilities.

Convenience is also an important reason for me. I didn’t have to commute to campus, saving my time and money on transportation. I was able to create my own learning environment.

What does your current study/work routine look like?

For the past 9 months, I have been working as a FIT Reservation Consultant at ATS Pacific NZ, a division of Helloworld Travel Service (NZ) Limited. Please see below the job description as FIT reservations consultant:

• Actioning quotes and bookings
• Performing administrative duties e.g., filing correspondence correctly
• Providing correct information to agents and offering alternative services and suggestions should any component be unavailable
• Accurate communication (written and verbal) with agents and suppliers
• Liaise with other team members and assist with workflows as required

Has any of the study content been valuable in your current role?

Absolutely! Enrolling in a tourism course at ITC really helped me land my job as a FIT Reservations Consultant. I learned all about taking care of customers, how the travel industry works, cool facts about different places, and even how to use specific reservation system like Amadeus. All of these skills and knowledge are perfect for what I am doing now.

ITC also helped me get better at talking to people, handling things when they don’t go as planned, and being a good problem solver – all super important for working with agents, suppliers and customers in order to make their travel plans in NZ smooth.

What are your highlights so far about your role?

I get to be a part of people’s exciting travel plans. Whether it’s a dream vacation or a business trip in New Zealand, I am here to make it happen.

Do you have any words of wisdom for others out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

Well, my favourite quote of all time is “The best way to achieve a goal is to devote 100 percent of your time and energy to it” – Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

With my tourism knowledge, I might consider starting my own travel-related business such as offering personalised travel consulting services.

Flexible and convenient online learning

Study From Home makes earning a valuable qualification incredibly convenient. Our flexibility means that you can fit your studies in around a busy lifestyle, whether that’s a job, childcare, or anything else.

Our focus throughout all our qualifications is to provide real-world knowledge and skills, so you can graduate and quickly find jobs in the travel and tourism industry. Like Melissa, many graduates find that what they learn with us applies directly to their new roles!

And the best part is – you can get started with Study From Home at any time.

Contact us today to learn more about our qualifications, or sign up for a free trial to see what it would be like to study with Study From Home!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet the graduate who earned her qualification as a full-time mum!

Shereece and her son enjoy a trip to Hawaii in 2019.

Study From Home is one of the most flexible learning options available, which is especially useful for anyone who is busy working full-time jobs, unable to study on campus, or, like Shereece, is a very busy full-time mum.

She managed to find the time to answer a few quick questions from us about her time studying with us!

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home? 

I chose to study with ITC as it was the best choice for me as a full time working mother. And it was convenient for me to be able to do my study whilst working and doing my daily mum duties.

Where do you currently work and what does your job entail? 

I am currently working for the Taranaki Air Ambulance, doing marketing.

Working for the Taranaki Air Ambulance & having a son must be busy, what does your typical routine look like as a busy working/studying mum?

As you can imagine, a working mum’s life is super crazy, so adding studying to the mix for me was beyond what I thought I could do. But thanks to ITC I’ve been able to do it all.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other mums out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

If it’s definitely something you want to do, then you need to do it. As mums our lives are built around our kids, and we use that as an excuse to forget about what we want. But studying from home is perfect for you, I’ve been able to work it around my already hectic life without being up all night having to do it. So all you mums sitting on the fence, now’s the time to do something for you.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

I’m looking forward to the day I get to make use of my study, and work in the travel industry.

Want to study around your busy lifestyle?

For Shereece, the challenge was to study while being a full-time mum. For others, it might be that you’re caring for other family members, or that you’re committed to a full-time job. Or perhaps you’re simply based outside of a main centre so can’t attend campus.

Whatever the reason, Study From Home makes it possible to earn a valuable qualification in travel and tourism even when you have other commitments. You can study with us full-time or part-time, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home whenever it suits your schedule.

If you’re unsure if this form of study is right for you, you can do a FREE trial to see exactly what it would be like to log on and complete your coursework. And keep in mind, you’ll also be fully supported by our friendly and knowledgeable team of tutors, who will always be around to answer your questions and encourage you on your learning journey.

Plus, our Employment Consultants are also on hand to help you find a job in the industry!

Contact us today to chat about how you can Study From Home.  

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home survey shows what students really think of us!

Our latest survey shows just how much students love Study From Home!

As an online study platform, it’s incredibly important for us to touch base with students and graduate to get feedback on our courses, tutors, support system, online learning platform, and everything in between.

Since we’re not interacting in a classroom every day, we therefore take regular surveys to garner feedback and see what students think of us.

Here are some of the questions we asked, and some of the responses we got!

Why did you choose Study From Home?

“Because I like to do it in my own time and I can learner faster alone.”

“Because I still wanted to work full time and there also wasn’t a base in Christchurch.”

“I’ve read good things about the courses and from other people and it sounded like the best fit for me.”

“With two kids it worked well for me to manage stuff around and the support from study from home tutors had worked really good for me.”

What do you like about remote learning?

“It’s easier for me to study an learn alone cause I’m easily distracted when with other people. I can do things in my own time.”

“I liked it because it’s very flexible. For me it worked well because it still allowed me to work full time and then study in spare time that suited me.”

“Being able to work in my own time.”

“Because I work full time it allows me to do it after work and in my spare time.”

“Being able to study and take care of my son.”

“I’m able to study at my time and pace.”

Do you have any comments about Study From Home overall?

“The ITC team are amazing and very helpful.”

“I love study at home as a result I encourage all my friends to enrol now.”

“I’ve always had a good experience. This is my second year studying and everyone is always happy to help and is always quick with replying when you’re struggling with anything.”

“The amount that my tutors cared about my learning and how much they reminded me to communicate with them whenever I needed to helped me gain the motivation to try push through.”

Enrol today to study online at your own pace

At Study From Home, we work hard to provide top-quality qualifications and exceptional support for our students – all while they can study at home and at their own pace.

When you enrol, you become part of the family. So whether you’re a parent studying while raising kids, a full-time worker studying during nights and weekends, or someone who lives too far from campus to make the commute, you’ll have our full support throughout your qualifications and beyond.

Do a free trial online today to see what it would be like to work your way through the courses, or get in touch to find out more about what we offer and where our qualifications might take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Did you know you could be studying within a WEEK with Study From Home?

Our courses are so flexible, you could be starting your qualification within a week!

With most colleges (and even with ITC!), start dates and graduation dates are all determined by a pre-set schedule. That means turning up on time and making sure your schedule fits around class times.

With Study From Home, it’s the complete opposite.

The incredible flexibility you get when studying from home

Study From Home offers the same qualifications as ITC, but gives you all the flexibility for when to start and when to study.

For example, if you get in touch today and enrol, you could be starting your qualification – and potentially taking the first step towards an amazing career in travel and tourism – all within the next week!

Not to mention, studying from home means that you don’t have to rearrange other aspects of your life, such as work or family. Instead, you can study in the evenings, over weekends, or whenever you have the time.

For example, Study From Home graduate Ruby Roche worked full time throughout her studies, and is now flying high in her dream job as a flight attendant with Air New Zealand.

Of course, you’ll still need to find the time for regular study, but it won’t need to be on our schedule!

Working in the industry by summer

Our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism and New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation are both level 3 courses, and both take just 20 weeks to complete (studying 30 hours per week).

That means if you enrol now and get started within a week, you’ll be able to earn an industry-recognised qualification and learn the basics of travel and tourism – all before Christmas.

As the busy summer season gets underway, you could be graduating from Study From Home, and one of our Employment Consultants could be working with you to help you find a job in the industry.

Just take a look at how many listings there are for jobs in travel and tourism on the GoWithTourism website. There are usually also plenty more that come available in early summer as the busy season kicks off.

Overall, that means plenty of opportunities for you to find fun, fulfilling work when you graduate.

Could your life look completely different in just 6 months?

For more information about how you could transform your life this week, book a free info session. You can do this over the phone or in person – whatever you prefer. This session is designed to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to get started.

You can even do a free trial to see exactly what it would be like studying from home and using our online portal to earn your qualification.

Or if you already know Study From Home is the right choice for you, you can easily enrol online here.

For any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Apply now for your chance to win an ITC Scholarship!

Apply for a 2023 Scholarship

ITC and Study From Home have just opened up applications for some amazing scholarship opportunities!

As the New Zealand tourism industry has got back into the swing of things, businesses are seeking new and qualified staff such as graduates from ITC and Study From Home.

“New Zealand continues to be one of the world’s top tourism destinations, and with the borders open, international visitors are returning. We need to support our sector to rebuild a more resilient future that leaves people, communities and the environment better off than before,” Peeni Henare said.

We are doing our bit to support our industry, ITC is helping people with a passion for joining the Travel & Tourism industry gain first-class skills and knowledge. We want to help even more by giving away multiple scholarships for full-time students, which are worth up to $5,600 per student. Not only that, it’s also on top of the Fees Free program, so you could have the first part of your study covered by Fees Free, and the second part partially paid for by a scholarship!

Here’s a little more about what an ITC Scholarship entails, who is eligible and how to apply.

What does the ITC Scholarship entail?

The ITC Scholarship will pay for up to $5,600 of your course fees if you win. It all depends on the courses you apply for, as the scholarship is for the value of 50% of one full course when you enrol in two or more courses at ITC.

The Scholarship is applicable for full-time study only, but it can be with either ITC or Study From Home. And importantly, it is awarded upon successful completion of the final course.

For ITC, the Scholarship is a way to support young learners into the industry we care about so much. Travel and tourism has rarely been in such dire need of new talent, and we know that right now, our graduates are walking straight into positions in the industry thanks to the qualifications they earn with us.

Who is eligible to apply?

We are looking for people passionate about joining the Travel, Tourism & Aviation industries who would love the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge to become future leaders.

If you enrol for full-time study with ITC or Study From Home right now, and are either a New Zealand citizen or have been a Permanent Resident for at least three years, you are probably eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

For further eligibility criteria, read our full terms and conditions.

However, if you were already enrolled prior to June 30 this year, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply at this time.

Please carefully read through our full terms and conditions to learn more about application eligibility, and other terms that come with being awarded this scholarship.

How do I apply for the ITC Scholarship?

To apply, simply fill out the ITC Scholarship application form here.

Be sure to fill out this form before August 26 2023, and if you are successful in getting to the second stage, we’ll let you know no later than Monday August 28. The second stage involves an information session and a chat with the team to discuss your study options.

If you have any questions at all about the scholarship or ITC courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Campus Study – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/ 

Government report: Why tourism needs people to transform

People are essential to tourism in New Zealand. See how new funding will support those in the industry.

It has taken a few years, but as predicted, travel and tourism is fast approaching the same high levels from before the pandemic.

As New Zealand has got back into the swing of things across the industry, have been seeking new, qualified staff such as graduates from ITC and Study From Home.

Recently, the New Zealand government released a statement discussing why tourism transformation starts with people. This explains how more than $18 million in funding will go towards improving the industry.

“New Zealand continues to be one of the world’s top tourism destinations, and with the borders open, international visitors are returning. We need to support our sector to rebuild a more resilient future that leaves people, communities and the environment better off than before,” Peeni Henare said.

This release covered four key areas that will help to transform the industry; employer accreditation, education, cultural competencies, and innovation and technology.

Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation

The large investment into the sector will help to implement a tourism and hospitality accreditation scheme.

This will be a voluntary scheme that helps to identify tourism operators and businesses that treat their staff really well. We can imagine this being a huge help for our graduates when it comes time to decide where to apply.

“Being able to demonstrate you are good employer will go a long way to helping a business attract quality staff and helping workers to find great employers,” Henare said.

Better education and career opportunities in tourism

The funding will also contribute to better education and training in the industry. This includes building on the existing NCEA Achievement Standards in tourism.

“Ensuring staff have a pathway to upskilling is also a focus and there will be closer collaboration between industry and education providers so the right skills are being taught to fill the jobs the sector needs. Education and training will look ahead to better prepare workers for the tourism jobs of the future.”

Cultural competency for more diverse and inclusive workplaces

Another part of the plan is to implement a pilot programme to develop cultural competency resources. The goal here is to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces “where cultural values are understood and respected.”

Cultural competency is such an important part of any job, but especially travel and tourism, and we’re excited to see this move.

Innovation and technology for more satisfying, skilled jobs

Finally, the release stated that funding would support an expo to showcase existing and emerging technologies that might assist businesses. Ideally, that would see workers have more free time to focus on providing excellent customer service and skilled work.

Additionally, there are plans for industry workshops that would encourage tourism businesses to learn about and adopt more innovative business models.

Travel and tourism: Always transforming!

Travel and tourism is always transforming and growing, which is just one reason why it’s such an exciting industry to work in. It’s also one that always relies on incredible people to fill roles and help make unforgettable travel experiences for visitors.

If you’ve always wondered about working in travel and tourism, you can earn the qualifications you need to get a foot in the door with Study From Home. We offer online learning, so you can go at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

Get in touch today to learn more, or to enrol and get started!

Study From Work – ceri@itc.co.nz 021 623753

Contact Us

Meet the Study From Home who got qualified while working full time – and is now in her dream job!

Ruby Roche worked full time and studied at home to earn her qualification.

Study From Home offers students the opportunity to learn in their own time, at their own pace, in their own homes. It’s ideal for anyone who isn’t based near one of our college location, or for anyone who has work or family commitments that mean they can’t study on a ‘normal’ schedule.

For Ruby Roche, that was exactly why Study From Home was the perfect fit. She was able to continue with her full-time job while she earned her qualification with us during evenings and weekends.

Through hard work and dedication, she didn’t just graduate with an industry-recognised qualification, but she also landed her dream job!

Read on to learn more about her inspirational journey.

What were your goals when you first decided to start studying tourism?

My goals were definitely to learn more about travel and tourism as I knew it was always a passion. The big goal was to end up as a flight attendant, in particular for Air New Zealand. I did however not think my first ever job as a flight attendant would be with my dream company all in one. I am very lucky!

Why did you choose to study with ITC Study From Home?

I found Study at Home an extremely flexible choice for myself. At the time I was working full time 5 days a week and definitely didn’t have time to go full time study. So this for me was a great opportunity and option to still keep my normal life but also do something on side. I liked that I could pick and choose my own hours and do bits and pieces when suited me. I would recommend this option for anybody who still wants to work full time. Or even part time.

What do you think ITC does that sets them different from other education providers?

I personally feel that ITC is more inclusive and intimate than universities etc. You have a small selection of tutors who dedicate their time and effort to help you in any which way you need. I found that more beneficial.

Did you enjoy your ITC studies? Do you have a favourite memory?

Words cannot describe how much I loved studying with ITC, most of the time it didn’t even feel like I was studying. I actually looked forward to my assignments and exams. My favourite memory is definitely doing the roleplays. I found those exciting and a fun way to learn.

How did ITC support you as you applied to work at Air NZ?

ITC supported me as I applied to Air New Zealand as they gave me an absolutely glowing reference. They supported my every step in the application process and always kept in touch with me on my progress with my job.

What are you most excited about for your new career?

I’ve been working with Air New Zealand since March and I would say I’m most looking forward to meeting my first celebrity or having a family member on my flight. I am yet to have that and I know the joy when it happens will be brilliant.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to study travel and tourism?

My advice would be to not give up. At times it can be hard and challenging and all you want to do it quit and find something easier but trust me it’s definitely worth it. There’s always a rainbow at the other end. You just need to find it.

Want to study from home?

Study From Home offers the perfect balance between studying in your own time, while still having the full support of a dedicated team of tutors and Employment Consultants.

Like Ruby, anyone can earn a valuable qualification, even if you have family, work or other life commitments. And since our courses are so flexible, you can start studying whenever it suits you – even today!

Contact us to learn more about our online learning options.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

You are worth it! The ITC and Study From Home team shares wisdom and inspiration

The entire team at ITC and Study From Home supports you and believes in you. Today we’re sharing our top inspirational quotes and knowledge to help you in your journey!

One of the many special parts about being a student with ITC or Study From Home is that the tutors, advisors, employment consultants – the entire team – truly cares about your journey.

We often interview graduates to share their stories, and that often happens because we’re keeping in touch anyway. This is a college where the team regularly goes above and beyond to help you through your studies, support you in your job search, and celebrate with you in your successes.

So to remind you of just how much you’re worth it, the team got together to share their incredible wisdom, things they have learned from their careers, and favourite inspirational quotes.

Takeyuki Morita, Tourism Management Tutor

Sometimes it is hard to believe in yourself, and instead of trying, you may stop taking action and just want to say, “I would never be able to do that” or, “I will never be able to cope with that.”

This can happen when you are scared of trying something new or unexpectedly face several challenges at the same time. But who knows that you cannot!? You may overestimate the challenges and/or underestimate your ability to cope with them. By deciding for yourself that you will try, facing the challenge, and moving forward, you will develop lots of skill sets that you will value in your life. That’s when you will find out you are much more capable than you thought before. Yes, your limits can be illusions, but your power to overcome them is real.

Take also shared a quote by Michael Jordan – “Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”

Lynelle Panton, Distance Learning Tutor

“I am a firm believer in baby steps. Chipping away at something will often give you better progress as you spend the time getting a good understanding of what it is you are learning and let it really sink in. Rushing often results in not really understanding and mistakes being made.”

She also shared “A little progress each day adds up to big results” – Satya Nani

Esther Johnston,  Schools Coordinator

“Practice makes progress. Not perfect.”

Mel Jenkins, Tutor & Marketing Manager

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” – Oprah Winfrey

Claire Huxley, CEO

“Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again” – Richard Branson

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” – Richard Branson

Claire chose these two quotes because they both speak to a growth mindset and highlight that accepting mistakes are good. She pointed out that that’s how we learn – and grow!

Unable to help herself, Claire added one more!: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I will learn.”

John Armstrong, Tutor

“When advanced selling, show your company how to play chess while others are just playing checkers. Selling involves thinking ahead for your customer – do your best for them they will remember you for it.”

Michelle Chatfield, City Campus Manager

“When I look back and think about all the different jobs I have done in the past, every one of them has taught me something and helped me to get to where I am today. A big part of that for me is something I have always tried to follow ‘to never stop learning as life never stops teaching!’…and I still am.”

Laura Orsbourn, Tutor

“When you’re nervous about stepping outside of your comfort zone, remind yourself: It feels scary because it’s unfamiliar, not because I’m incapable” – Michael C. Clark

Vi Tran, Tutor

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.”

Sarndra Stephens, Employment Consultant

“NO means Next Opportunity. I have discovered that although I may have been upset, mad or emotional in some way about a NO, it has often turned out that the Next Opportunity was worth waiting for or working towards as it was better than the one I got the NO for.

So if there are any NO’s, fails or falters then take  a moment, learn what you can from what happened, reset and go again.”

Michelle Newsome, Tourism Educator (Schools Team)

“The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Today and tomorrow are yet to be said. The chances, the changes are all yours to make. The mold of your life is in your hands to break.” J.R.R. Tolkien

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must but take the step.”

Michelle explained her choice of these quotes, saying “the smallest step one I like, it helps when change can seem overwhelming and things start piling up and seem too big a challenge. But one little step is all you need to start.

I’m a Tolkien nerd so love the ones from those stories about adventures. Helps when you’re feeling a bit stuck in life, makes you realise that the main thing holding you back is you. If you want something enough then it’s up to you to get there.”

Jackie Faamausili, tutor

“It doesn’t matter what others are doing, it matters what you are doing.”

Jae Govender, tutor

“Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.”

Toni Young, distance study tutor

“There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” – Desmond Tutu

Study with a team that is invested in your journey

How many people can say they know their college tutors well? Or that they keep in touch with their education provider long after they graduate?

There simply aren’t many!

If you’d like to study somewhere where the tutors and team all get to know you personally, and help to support you through your studies, ITC is enrolling for our July courses now. If you’re looking at Study From Home, you can enrol and get started any time.

Get in touch today with any questions or to find out more about our travel and tourism qualifications, and where they might take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Your insider’s guide to: Working in a senior HR role at a leading hotel

We hear from Carol Mendes (centre), Assistant Director of Human Resources for Cordis Hotel, about her career and what it’s like working in HR.

Travel and tourism is an incredibly broad industry, with many different pathways to take.

To help highlight the range of options available to our graduates, we’re getting in touch with some of our industry connections to learn a little more about the different jobs and what it’s like to work in them.

We’ve heard about what it’s like to work in bungy jumping, and this time we’re taking a completely different perspective. We’re chatting to Carol Mendes, the Assistant Director of Human Resources for Cordis Hotel.

Read on to learn about her story, and what she looks for in new employees. 

Can you tell our readers about your career? What roles did you do before you became the Assistant Director of Human Resources for Cordis Auckland?

I started my career as manager for a hostel in Rio (Brazil). Then moved into hotels as receptionist and fell in love with guest relations and people management. Working for Accor in Brazil, I became the youngest front office manager in the country – I was 21 years old.

Over 10 years in operations meant I moved around different managerial roles, including executive housekeeper for a pre-opening hotel here in New Zealand. Operations Manager was my last role before moving into Human Resources full time as an advisor, then manager and now Assistant Director of HR.

What is the career journey of someone working in Human Resources or in Hotels like the Cordis Auckland?

In either case, I believe your career will be a reflection of what you choose to focus on. In my case, the focus was always people. I always knew I wanted to work around public, so I chose roles that allowed me to be guest facing, people management, training and finally Human Resources.

What does the average day look like for someone who works in your role?

Cordis Auckland has over 450 colleagues so there’s never a dull day in the HR department! I usually work from the office so colleagues can come in anytime to ask questions or to chat, which is a nice break from the reporting, planning and strategy I do on my day to day with the HR team. Meetings with colleagues, managers and other stake holders are also part of my routine.

 What would surprise us about working for a hotel like the Cordis Hotel?

We are very sustainability focused and this topic sits within Human Resources too. We have an internal sustainability program for the whole Langham Hospitality Group called CONNECT. Inside CONNECT we have several goals (e.g.: ending waste to landfill by 2030, increasing energy and water efficiency, etc), events (e.g.: colleague wellness month, happiness day and etc) and contribute to our community with hundreds of community service hours every year (e.g.: beach clean ups, fundraising activities, etc).

What do you look for in employees who want to work at the Cordis?

The main thing we look for in a candidate is their attitude. Meeting someone who is keen to work and learn is really exciting for a manager! We believe in learning and development in all levels and have a dedicated learning and development manager inside the HR department, which means we can provide interested colleagues with the skills they are required for their role, but positivity, will to learn, curiosity and excellence seeking, are part of a posture that come from within.

Is there anything that is unique about the Cordis Hotel?

I’d say we are a pretty unique hotel in New Zealand. Our dedication to heartfelt kiwi service, size, quality of product, bespoke spa and amazing restaurant really make us stand out. But our colleagues are really what make us unique. The dedication and passion of every single person who works here is what create great memories to all guests, customers and colleagues who set foot in our property.

Is there anything new or exciting coming up for the Cordis?

It’s the first whole year of operations since we opened our Pinnacle Tower so 2023 should be our best year yet, with lots of events (for colleagues and guests) planned, a steady occupancy and great staffing levels. Keep an eye on our Instagram for constant updates!

Do you have any final advice for anyone who wants to work in our industry?

Never close a door. Our industry (and country) is all connected and our market values a well referred candidate, so make sure you leave great memories everywhere you work and for sure you will collect great ones in your future too.

Get qualified with ITC or Study From Home

Whether you’re interested in working in hotels, getting into the human resources side of tourism, or something else, ITC and Study From Home can be the perfect starting point.

Our qualifications provide the foundational knowledge for these industries, providing you with the basics you need to get a foot in the door in travel and tourism. If you’d like to learn more about our courses, we’d love to hear from you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Vi Tran, our newest City Campus Tutor

Vi Tran is our wonderful new City Campus Tutor.

There can’t be many people in the world who have studied tourism in Vietnam, earned a scholarship to continue studying in France, worked in world-renowned hotels, opened their own hostels and a resort, lectured at Hoa Sen University, and travelled all over the world.

In fact, there might only be one – which is why we consider ourselves to be incredibly lucky to welcome the multi-talented and highly experienced Vi Tran to the team. Vi’s passion for travel and the tourism industry is evident in her history, and we’re excited for her to share her skills and experience as a tutor at our City Campus.

Learn more about Vi’s incredible story.

How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?

During my childhood, I always dreamed of traveling all over the world to explore landscapes and learn about history, traditions, and cultures. It was for this reason that I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management at a university in Vietnam.

Years later, I finally achieved my dream of being awarded a scholarship from SKEMA Business School in France to pursue a master’s degree in tourism. This opportunity led me to embark on my first solo backpacking adventure across Europe. The year 2018 marked the beginning of my PhD journey in New Zealand.

What does your travel industry history look like?

Upon completing my Bachelor degree in Tourism and Hospitality, I began working for Accor and Marriott five-star hotels as a Reservation Agent and Assistant Sales and Marketing Director. After completing my studies in France, I returned to Vietnam and worked as a Market Manager at Agoda.com, an online travel agency for over four years. My primary responsibilities entailed consulting with accommodation partners, identifying trends, and determining potential sources of supply to meet consumer demand on the Agoda website.

My experience backpacking in Europe inspired me to start my own business. As a result, I opened three hostels in Ho Chi Minh City and a boutique resort in my hometown, located in central Vietnam.

Apart from my entrepreneurial job, I have been a lecturer at Hoa Sen University, Faculty of Tourism, for over four years. I have experience teaching and supervising students in various academic projects. I believe in the importance of continuous learning. As such, I was awarded a Doctoral scholarship from AUT and successfully completed my PhD journey in December 2022. I had been working as a Research Assistant at NZTRI (AUT) and teaching assistant for more than four years during my PhD program.

How will your experience help support students?

With my background in hospitality and travel agency, I can guide students in broadening their understanding and abilities within the tourism industry. I can support them to discover diverse opportunities for growth and exploration. My leadership and entrepreneurial experiences will encourage them to pursue their own ventures. Additionally, my academic background will improve their critical thinking, innovation, and literacy skills.

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Exceeding customer expectations is crucial in the hospitality and tourism industry. Possessing excellent customer service skills enables you to provide an exceptional experience that leaves a lasting and memorable impression. Regardless of your role in the tourism industry, it’s essential to work well with others. Effective teamwork is built on a foundation of communication.

What’s next for the tourism industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the tourism industry, leaving its future uncertain. However, this crisis has also presented an opportunity to reimagine tourism with a focus on sustainability. As a result, travellers are increasingly opting for eco-friendly options and taking into account their impact on local communities and the environment. With the pandemic driving emerging trends, such as traveling closer to home, avoiding crowded destinations, and seeking more authentic experiences, governments are considering the long-term implications and promoting structural transformation to build a stronger, more sustainable, and resilient tourism economy. Digitalization and support for low-carbon transitions are also crucial factors in achieving this goal.

New Zealand has emerged as a global leader in sustainable tourism, with the government announcing plans to strengthen and sustain the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for the country to create a tourism sector that provides benefits for New Zealanders.

What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a shortage of skilled human resources in the tourism sector. As New Zealand’s tourism industry strives to recover, it is crucial to recruit and train qualified talent to enhance its competitiveness and ensure sustainability. This presents a significant opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in this field to fulfil their aspirations.

Learn from the best at ITC and Study From Home

Vi Tran is exceptionally qualified in every way. From her own experiences in travel to her many years working in the industry, we can’t think of anyone better suited to be a tutor.

Explore our courses and enrol now to learn from some of the best in the business.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Vanessa Barnett: Our wonderful new Course Advisor at the City Campus!

Meet Vanessa, our new Course Advisor at the City Campus.

The team at ITC and Study From Home is filled with incredible people who have worked all over the world, in all kinds of fascinating travel and tourism roles.

A perfect example is our newest Course Advisor at the City Campus, Vanessa Barnett. Bitten early by the travel bug, Vanessa went on to earn an Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism with ITC before spending many years working in wholesale travel, exploring some of the most far-flung destinations in the world as part of her work.

Needless to say, her stories and passion are sure to inspire many students and graduates. Here’s a little more about her story and just what she has to offer ITC and Study From Home.

How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?

I’d always wanted to travel since I was a kid. So as soon as I could, I left home on the traditional Kiwi OE where I spent 4 years living in Dublin and London, but there was still so much of the world I wanted to see.

So WAAAYYY back in 2002 I enrolled at ITC and got my ‘Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism’, so after nearly 20yrs in the industry I have truly come full circle!

What does your travel industry history look like?

After graduating ITC, the employment services team got my foot in the door at Go Holidays, where I was able to learn about the role that wholesale plays within the travel industry – and is a sector I remained in for my entire travel career.

After learning the ropes at Go, an opportunity came for me to move to Adventure World, starting in the finals and documentation department before quickly moving into wholesale reservations, where I specialised in Africa and South & Central America – and in fact, I remained a travel specialist in these areas throughout my travel career.

That’s the fantastic thing about working in wholesale – a travel agent needs to know a little bit about a lot of destinations; so being able to go work with a wholesale team who specialise in one destination and knows it really well is invaluable for their clients. And of course, to know a destination, you need to travel there. My first famil was to Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, where I was lucky enough to spend 4 days on the Amazon onboard the Desafio, a classic schooner ship where I caught and ate a piranha, made friends with a 5ft anaconda and watched a pod of pink Amazonian dolphins play around the boat as the sun rose.

I remained at Adventure World for 11 years, and during that time, I had the opportunity to travel to a lot of diverse countries, including Borneo (both Sabah and Sarawak—where I attended a music festival in the jungle, visited an Orangutan sanctuary, and released baby turtles), Chile, Peru (visiting the spectacular Machu Picchu), Bolivia (crossing Lake Titicaca and eating guinea pig), South Africa (where I travelled overland from Johannesburg to Cape Town), China (visiting the amazing Terracotta Warriors) and Hong Kong (shopping, anyone?).

My next opportunity arose in the wholesale adventure department at House of Travel, again specialising in Africa and South & Central America, plus we looked after overland tour bookings with companies such as Intrepid, Explore Worldwide and GAdventures.

I still have a huge passion in these areas and I could talk for hours about the amazing cultural sites in Peru, how wonderful the steak and red wine is in Argentina, the diversity of flora and fauna within South Africa and the best places to see wild dogs in Botswana.

How will your experience help support students?

Having been a student here at ITC myself (albeit before some of our current students were even born) I can share with the students how invaluable this experience was for me and where it can take them.

Also, I think a lot of students come to us with knowledge about the more “well-known” aspects of working in the tourism industry – being a flight attendant, a travel agent or tour guide – but few, if any, know about the wholesale sector and the ability to specialise in an area they’re passionate about.

I can’t wait to tell them all about the amazing famils I’ve been able to go on – places I probably would never have had the opportunity to go to otherwise!

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Passion! If you have a passion for travel, or for a particular area of the world, or even for showcasing the amazing things we have on offer here in Aotearoa, then that will take you far in the industry.

Depending on where you end up, you’ll also need flexibility and a willingness to adapt. There are so many different roles, areas and aspects to the travel industry, you’ll truly never know where you could end up!

Having empathy for your clients is essential too – I know that in the roles I have had, I always tried to keep at the forefront of my mind that although this is just another day in the office for me; the itinerary I’m putting together is someone’s dream holiday – they may have spent years putting money aside for their trip of a lifetime – so no matter if it’s your 10^th booking that week, it could well be that clients first time out of the country!!

What’s next for the tourism industry?

Covid dealt such a blow to the entire industry worldwide, but it’s back better and brighter than before. People have become so much more environmentally, socially and culturally conscious, and have had the past three years to really think about the impact we have had on our planet, and what kind of impact we want to have in the future; which has had a really positive effect on tourism.

Gone are the days where animals and people are used as tourist commodities and exploited. Instead indigenous cultures are being empowered to tell their own story to visitors, rather than being show-cased as a tourist “attraction” and animals and their native environment are being protected. Sustainable tourism, wildlife conversation projects and community projects are now a huge growth area for tourism – which is a fantastic thing to see!
 
What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

They couldn’t have picked a better time with so many sectors of the industry crying out for dedicated and passionate newcomers to fill their ranks now that our borders are back open and travellers are ready to get back out there! Because the industry is so varied – just because you start at a particular point doesn’t mean that you won’t end up somewhere totally different.

Experience within the industry is really important – and whatever you learn you will take with you – your skills will be transferrable. You may start out at the airport check-in and end up being a tour guide in Europe – you just never know! Honestly, the options are endless, you never know where Travel & Tourism will take you.

Study with ITC or Study From Home

Vanessa’s incredible international experiences, time at ITC, and passion for the industry as a whole make her the perfect person to become a Course Advisor for our students. We know she will not just inspire students and graduates, but help them to find the best journeys for them as well.

At ITC and Study From Home, our entire team is filled with professionals just like Vanessa. Everyone has experience in the travel and tourism industry in some way, with endless dedication to helping students and graduates get the most out of their careers.

Take a look at the courses we offer and where they might take you, or get in touch with any questions today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Get to know tutor, and brand new Employment Consultant, Kirsten Leith

We’re excited to have Kirsten move into an Employment Consultant role!

It’s been a whirlwind of new hires this year, and our latest addition to the team is every bit as exciting – but not exactly new.

Because Kirsten Leith is no stranger to ITC.

Kirsten has been a full-time tutor and Course Advisor for our Botany Campus, and now we are lucky to have her in the role as our Botany Employment Consultant. Her incredible expertise in the industry will prepare any graduate for an exciting career in our tourism or airline industry.

Not only that, but she also is our wonderful Business of Tourism Academy tutor for our South Auckland Academy. She will be delivering the 30 days over the year to our wonderful high school students from a variety of South Auckland schools.

We reached out to Kirsten to hear all about her story to date.

What does your travel career look like so far?

I was fortunate to travel a lot with my family when I was growing up, and when I left school I didn’t know what I wanted to do. A friend gave me a prospectus for a polytech and I remember reading through all the courses they offered and they all seemed so academic – until I saw the travel and tourism one.

I loved the description of the course and knew it would be great for me. During my studies I worked in a 5 Star hotel and did work experience as a domestic check-in agent at the airport which I loved!

When I graduated, I landed an awesome job working as a travel coordinator for a student exchange programme. I worked with high school students sending them on international exchanges, mostly to Japan. I got to travel there twice for my job which was such a great opportunity. I learnt a huge amount about Japanese culture.

My next role was working for a travel company who specialised in educational travel, the likes of group trips overseas for languages, geography, music and sports. In this role I got to escort a French class to New Caledonia! All this experience meant working with high school students, and teachers, something which set me up well for becoming a tutor at ITC. I loved sharing my industry knowledge with students and having fun in the classroom.

How are you looking forward to your new roles at ITC?

Over the years I’ve had lots of involvement in job placement, so it’s exciting to be back doing this again. I look forward to helping students find their dream job in our fabulous industry.

It’s also really exciting to be teaching the Business Academy students. This is such a great course for high school students who love to travel. It exposes them to all aspects of the industry which means all the different jobs they can do, and it’s fun to see them learn about them and keep changing their minds about which role they want to do. One week they want to be a flight attendant, next week a tour guide!

What is the most important skill for the tourism industry right now?

I think the most important skills to have in the tourism industry are great communication and people skills. Dealing with travellers is so much fun, and as industry workers we represent our amazing country and we can hugely influence a visitor’s experience by the interaction we have with them. If you love people and travelling, then this is definitely the industry for you.

What should students know about entering the industry right now?

Now is the absolute best time to get into the industry as it rebuilds after the pandemic. Employers are desperate for good, hard working staff. Pay rates are good and industry benefits mean you get to experience lots of activities yourself.

If this is your dream, get a qualification, and take any opportunity that comes your way (work experience, volunteer opportunities etc), get your driver’s license and be prepared to work hard when you get your first industry job to prove how awesome you can be!

Earn that qualification at ITC or Study From Home

Like so many in the industry, Kirsten suggests that students earn a qualification to help them get a foot in the door (and to be a step ahead of their peers!).

ITC and Study From Home offer industry-recognised qualifications, and are well known amongst New Zealand and international providers for our excellent reputation for skilled, knowledgeable graduates.

If you’re dreaming of a career in the travel and tourism industry, and want to find your way there with our wonderful team like Kirsten, get in touch to find out about our courses and how you can enrol today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Kimi-Ora Follas – our newest Course Advisor at the Botany campus!

Welcome to the team, Kimi!

We always love welcoming new members to the team, and we couldn’t be more excited to give a big ITC welcome to our newest Course Advisor, Kimi-Ora Follas.

Kimi-Ora is an ITC graduate herself, and has spent many years working in travel and tourism around the world and here in New Zealand. Her experience both in the industry and as a student will be hugely valuable to the students she works with, and the team as a whole.

We had a quick chat with Kimi-Ora to learn more about her experience, and what she brings to the team!

How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?

My high school tourism teacher really inspired me. I remember one specific day where he was talking about his adventures in the tourism Industry and I just knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. He helped me apply for a scholarship at ITC and the rest is history. I studied right here at the Botany Campus in 2014 with a partial scholarship for Level 3 & 4 and graduated with Distinction.

What does your travel industry history look like?

Since graduating from ITC, I have progressed my way through the hotel Industry. I’ve worked front office in many 5 or 4 star properties around the North Island, from the Far North down to the Tongariro National Park and places in between before taking the leap of moving overseas.

Living in the UK also made it much easier to live out my dream of travelling around Europe, and I was fortunate enough to visit many countries before a little thing called Coronavirus closed borders and sent me back home to New Zealand.

That didn’t deter me though, and I have continued working as front office staff back here in New Zealand until my most recent role as the Assistant Front Office Manager at a luxury lodge in Northland.

How will your experience help support students?

Being a former student of this very campus, I have been in their shoes. I know what it was like to study at ITC and the unique challenges that come with being a student while living out of home for the first time.

It can be extremely overwhelming at times and I’m hoping to be a friendly ear that they can always come to for advice.

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Time management, flexibility and a can-do attitude! The tourism industry is an ever changing experience and it’s rare that any two days are the same – being able to adapt to each situation is key. Empathy also goes a long way, especially when you are customer facing. You never know when going the extra mile or showing a bit of extra kindness to someone can turn their day around for the better.

What’s next for tourism industry?

I really think that the last few years gave everyone time to reflect on what they wanted out of life, and for a lot of people it only fuelled their wanderlust further.

Working within the hotel industry during the pandemic showed me how much people do value taking some time out for themselves, and enquiries were still really high from locals exploring their own backyard. Now that the borders are all open again it’ll be exciting to see how that translates into international enquiries.

What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

Take your time, from personal experience I wanted to hit the ground running as soon as I was qualified and ended up feeling like I wasn’t where I wanted to be… when in reality I was only just starting out and had soo much ahead of me to experience. Good things take time!

Learn from incredible course advisors like Kimi-Ora with ITC!

Kimi-Ora is a fantastic example of the amazing talent and experience we have on the team at ITC and Study From Home. Everyone on our team has real-world industry experience, a passion for travel and tourism, and a drive to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions, or enrol today!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Our top advice for parents and caregivers of remote learners

Do you have a remote learner at home? Here’s how you can support them.

Is someone in your family earning a qualification with Study From Home? Or even studying any course or completing schoolwork from home?

Even though the student will be doing the work, there’s a lot of responsibility in being their parent or caregiver, too. It’s up to you to support them and ensure they have the space to complete their studies.

Here are our top tips for anyone looking after or living with a remote learner.

Create a space for their studies

If you have ever worked from home, or simply tried to manage paperwork from the dining table, you’ll know the importance of having a quiet, tidy space to concentrate.

It’s no different for remote learners. Create a space in the home where they can focus in peace and quiet.

For example, if they share a room with a sibling, perhaps you can set them up in your bedroom so they can study in a private area.

Or, if there isn’t anywhere private for them in the home, ensure other family members respect the student’s study time with quiet activities in the background.

Don’t distract them

Many people who study or work from home have to contend with distractions. It’s one thing to ignore a TV making noise in the background, but it’s impossible to ignore a family member asking questions, making demands, or asking if they want to go out and do something.

It can also be easy to see someone sitting on their laptop and assume they aren’t busy, but it’s important to remember that they are likely working or studying.

Therefore, act as if their space is actually an office space and they are busy at work. Only disturb them with emergencies, and save any news, questions, or tasks until later.

Help them in other areas

You might not be able to help them work their way through activities or remember new information, but you can help them in other areas of their life.

For example, making a healthy, nutritious dinner might ensure they don’t resort to fast food if they’re too busy studying to cook something. Doing their laundry with your own can give them more time to focus on their learning and not have to worry about chores.

By taking on some of their tasks, you can help to free up their time and mental load so they can better focus on their learning.

Be interested  

Showing your interest in their studies can be a great way to show your support. It will ensure they know you’re following their journey and rooting for them to succeed.

Not to mention, it can help them to remember the material if they talk about what they’re learning to someone else.

Supporting our remote learners

 At Study From Home, we don’t just leave it up to friends and family to support our learners – we also offer plenty of support through the Study From Home programme as well.

Our team of dedicated tutors are available by email and phone, and students can also make face-to-face appointments as well. This means that students can ask questions and chat any time they need to.

These support systems – both online and at home – can help ensure our students not only complete their qualifications, but enjoy their time with us, and go on to land exciting industry roles.

If you or someone you know is looking for a fantastic distance learning programme, take a look at the course options with Study From Home, or get in touch with any questions.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Do I have to be a teenager to study?

You don’t have to be a teenager to study with us!

One of the most common questions we receive here at Study From Home is, ‘am I too old to study?’.

At ITC, many of our students tend to come straight from high school. But with Study From Home, we love seeing many students enrol later in life, often after taking a break from work to take care of family, or for a career change.

So the answer is, no, you don’t have to be a teenager. You can study with us at any age! In fact, having a few more years can even be a bonus when it’s time to start job hunting.

Many companies like to hire older people who have some life experience, especially for travel and tourism. This is an industry where you’ll be dealing with people all the time, problem solving, and learning to go with the flow – all things you’ll likely have some experience with after some time in the ‘real world’!

To prove our point, we spoke to one of our recent graduates, Deborah Pritchard. Deborah is 60 years young, and excited to start her career in travel and tourism!

Here’s her story.

Meet adult learner Deborah Pritchard

“I have worked in Hospitality and Retail Management for 20 years, and I have enjoyed working in a team environment and with customers. I have always had a desire to travel the world, to experience and learn about different cultures, history, architecture, and scenery.

I finally got the chance to start my travel journey back in 2016 and have had the opportunity to visit a few countries now, and have so much more I want to still see.

This is where I decided I wanted to help others experience the wonders of the world like I have been able to. I was lucky enough to have a travel agent who was amazing, she was supportive, and was there to answer any questions I had. As it was my very first trip alone, I didn’t know anything, or where to even start planning. She explained everything in detail, shared her own experiences and gave me advice which made me feel at ease and gave me a lot more confidence to do this.

I want to be that person to put customers at ease, to help plan amazing holidays, make them stress-free and be a support system so they don’t feel alone, and share my knowledge and experience.

I decided to research the best way to get qualifications in Travel and Tourism. Studying from home seemed my best option at the time for me as I had other family commitments where I was needed.

I came across ITC The International Travel College of New Zealand, found what I was looking for and the excitement for this journey was so high. So I signed up for Certificate 4 in Travel and couldn’t wait to start!

My highlights from studying were how much I learnt from the subjects, how easy it was to follow each unit, it was step by step and the support system from tutors was amazing. So quick to respond and so helpful.

Now I have completed my course, my next step is to find my dream job: to join a company as a travel agent/consultant. I want to be able to help people make amazing memories of their lives.

My advice to others about studying at home would be “just do it”, you won’t regret it. It has been the best decision and experience I have had.

From my experience, a couple of tips for online learners would be:

• Make sure you have a little study space with no distractions.
• Make sure you take breaks, even if it’s only 10 mins every 2-3hrs helps so much.
• Make a plan of what your study hours are going to be during the day, and try to stick to it.
• Also, remember you can achieve anything you put your mind to!

I am 60 years young and I haven’t let anything get in the way of my dreams and goals. I am so excited to get out in the workforce in my dream job and to keep travelling the world!!”

It’s never too late to follow your dreams

You don’t have to be a teenager to enrol with Study From Home. You can enrol from anywhere in New Zealand and start studying at any time, and if you’re not sure if online learning is for you, you can do a free trial to get a feel for what it would be like earning a qualification with us.

Whether you’re young or just young at heart, we’d love to hear from you and welcome you to our travel and tourism family. Get in touch with any questions at all, so we can get you started on an exciting career in the industry!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

It’s never too late to get that dream job. We meet Carol who at 64-years-old decided it was time for a career change – and is becoming a flight attendant!

It’s never too late for a career change! Just ask Carol Weaver, who is becoming a flight attendant at 64.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, have been out of the workforce for a while, or are looking to make a career change, it’s never a bad time to study at ITC or with Study From Home.

Just ask Carol Weaver, the 64-year-old who had thought about becoming a flight attendant often throughout her life. She has been working as a science teacher and career advisor for Orewa College, which is how she came into contact with ITC in the first place.

Here’s Carol’s incredible story in her own words.

From teacher to trainee flight attendant

“At the “young” age of 64 I decided to have a complete career change. I have at various stages of my life thought about being a flight attendant, but life and children always seemed to get in the way. I am currently a teacher.

I attended an ITC careers advisors’ update date where Qantas came in and did a presentation on becoming a flight attendant. I almost jokingly put my hand up and asked if there was a height or age limit. With no age barrier I started to think about the positives, something for myself to fulfil a long held dream, a fun lifestyle and complete fresh new career.

I talked to cabin crew that I knew through friends, looked at the websites for Qantas and Air New Zealand and asked a lot of questions. I then began the application process and each stage I got through made me more determined to do this. It was a little scary as I haven’t applied for a job in many years, even the CVs are so different to what I was used to but I just took it in small steps and learnt as I went along.

The end of the journey is near as I have just been taken on as a flight attendant trainee. I will have an intense training to work through but I have “googled” study tips and how to improve your memory so I feel ready to take this on.

You are never too old!”

What is Air New Zealand looking for in its flight attendants?

As the travel industry recovers from the pandemic, Air New Zealand and other airlines around the world have been working hard to employ new staff. We have loved seeing many of our graduates, such as Mar Chit, get jobs in in the aviation industry, and we know many of our current and future students dream of working for airlines as well.

So what are they looking for in their employees?

We know that Air New Zealand is looking for customer-focused representatives who can connect with others easily. They must also be resilient, reliable, passionate, unique, and fun!

The airline is always looking for people who will help them share Aotearoa with the world, who have a can-do attitude, and who will be themselves while upholding Air NZ’s values.

If you’re looking for a career change, ITC and Study From Home can help make it happen. Our qualifications and dedicated Employment Consultant could be just what you need to make a move into your dream career.

Contact us today to learn more about studying with us, no matter where you are in life right now.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Helloworld launches Travel Academy with ITC & Study From Home

Helloworld, renowned NZ travel agency, has launched its own Travel Academy with ITC and Study From Home!

Many people in New Zealand already know about Helloworld Travel. These travel professionals help Kiwis to book everything from flights and hotels to cruises and full holiday packages.

Our graduates continue to land fantastic jobs there!

And now, Helloworld is doing even more for the travel industry. No longer just helping people book getaways, but helping employees to gain qualifications in the industry with the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (level 4). And it’s all happening with the help of ITC!

Helloworld launches level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Travel

In partnership with ITC and Study From Home, the Helloworld Travel Academy will start by offering a level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Travel.

Learners will be able to take the course entirely online from anywhere in New Zealand, but with professional support and guidance throughout the course thanks to ITC’s Study From Home team.

The goal is to provide valuable training and development for both existing employees in the Helloworld network, as well as for new employees.

Helloworld NZ General Manager Chris Hunter said they were thrilled with the launch.

“Our goal with this new initiative is to provide aspiring and current travel professionals with  the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’, all while obtaining a recognised qualification in the industry. This program is not only designed to enhance their knowledge and skills but also to provide them with  practical experience, networking opportunities, and exposure to the latest technologies and trends in travel,” he added.

As well as the Certificate in Travel, the Travel Academy will also offer monthly training sessions for agents. These will cover everything from time management and supplier training to how to deal with challenging situations and mental health and resilience work. These sessions will help participants progress in their careers and ensure greater customer service for travellers.

ITC and Study From Home’s ongoing support for the travel industry  

ITC and Study From Home are not only the perfect partner for Helloworld, but we’re also over the moon to continue our support for the industry.

Our courses, tutors, and online systems are all well established and trusted for providing exceptional NZQA qualifications to students all over the country. Plus, we’re always excited to share those resources with another major industry expert who will use them to help further train and upskill those in the industry.

ITC’s Ceri Jenkins shared how exciting the initiative was for both ITC and Helloworld.

“It is exciting to see the amount of emphasis industry is placing on robust industry focused qualifications and at ITC we are incredibly proud to be the tertiary partner for this programme. The Study From Home qualification and platform is the perfect match for Helloworld, as it provides the quality and excellence they expect with the accessibility for development of staff in all regions throughout New Zealand,” he said.

Learn more about the Level 4 Certificate in Travel here, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team to find out how you can earn a valuable travel and tourism qualification from your own home at your own pace.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Read our reviews for the 2023 study year

Our ITC and Study From Home students seem to be pretty happy with their courses so far this year. See some of their reviews below!

Every year, ITC and Study From Home strive to offer the best travel and tourism education in New Zealand.

From the courses themselves to our team of experienced, passionate tutors, everything we do is designed to provide the best experience for students. That also includes a four-day study week for ITC students so they can balance their education with their lifestyles, and an Employment Consultant who works to connect students and graduates with industry roles.

Naturally, we always love to hear how we’re doing. Reviews let us know what we’re doing well, and where we can improve for next year. We recently gathered together our reviews for the 2023 tertiary year so far, and we’re excited to share them with you!

ITC and Study From Home 2023 reviews

“I have enjoyed studying at ITC so much already. The tutors and staff are all so welcoming, and the class environment is really nice too. ITC has already been really enjoyable, I am looking forward to the rest of my study here at ITC :)” – Charlotte Greenwood (Auckland City Campus)

“I’ve had a very good experience at ITC so far. I have felt so welcomed and I cannot wait for the rest of the year at ITC :)” – Jessica Downey (Auckland City Campus)

“Absolutely love it here. Great tutors. Friendly staff. Brilliant course. Overall a great environment for learning!” – Talya Upson (Auckland City Campus)

“Wonderful experience from the class back in 2017 to the opportunity to work at Disney…and more so grateful to them more recently for helping me get a role at Menzies Aviation a few months ago as a check in agent. All the staff I dealt with were excellent. Big thanks to Mike, Mel, Ceri and Sarndra!!! You are gems!” – Vanessa Arcus (Whangarei Campus)

“A great campus to study at, you’re always meeting amazing people and having great experiences. Staff and students are always supportive, fun and friendly” – Jordan Harrison (Auckland City Campus)

“I have just completed Certificate 4 in Travel and I loved every moment of it. My tutor Toni was amazing, she was so helpful and supportive. I would recommend studying at ITC to everyone!” – Deborah Pritchard (Study From Home)

“Made a lot of new friends. Best travel college ever. I can’t describe how much I appreciate each and every person at ITC. The staff is lovely and very helpful. This travel college is family friendly environment. I’m happy that I chose ITC to start my career with.” – Liliola Tuipulotu (Botany Campus)

“ITC IS A wonderful and GREAT PLACE TO STUDY BECAUSE THE TUTORS ARE very friendly and they helped us students when we struggled with any of the topics. ITC IS THE BEST THEY ALSO HELPED TO GIVE STUDENTS THEIR DREAM JOB.” – Mateaki Fonokalafi (Botany Campus)

“It has a great learning environment, all the staff are really nice and friendly” – Vianca Williams (Auckland City Campus)

“An amazing place to study. Everyone was so lovely and helpful and made lifelong friendships. Everyone was so encouraging and helped me achieve my dream job of cabin crew!” – Jenna Goodfellow (Auckland City Campus)

“Awesome educational provider! Excellent way to study at home at your own pace!” – Sonali Bj (Study From Home)

As well as the lovely notes from students, we’ve also had a number of five star reviews. We’re so pleased to see so many of our students loving the courses so far, and we can’t wait to keep impressing them throughout the programmes.

If you’d like to study online with Study From Home, we’d love to work hard to impress you, too. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today to find out more about our courses and where they could take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC connecting graduates to the exciting cruise ship industry

ITC students working with the cruise ship industry.

This summer season in New Zealand has been the most exciting for the travel and tourism industry in the country in years. For a group of ITC students and graduates, it has been an extra special time thanks to ITC and the cruise ship industry.

That’s because we recently set up a number of students with a fantastic opportunity to gain work experience in the industry.

Read on to learn more about how it happened (and how you could get valuable work experience when you study with ITC, too).

 How is ITC helping graduates work in the cruise industry?

Our Employment Consultant Sarndra worked with Akorn Destination Management in Australia to offer our fabulous new ITC students an opportunity to be part of their Auckland cruise turnaround team for the 2022 /2023 summer season.

Akorn enjoyed an amazing 2019 /2020 summer season of cruising, and the ITC students and graduates who worked on those turnarounds loved the first-hand industry experiences. Our students and graduates also found it to be a huge bonus to have on their CVs when they finished their studies and started applying for jobs.

As soon as Sarndra heard Akorn was doing another cruise season she was eager to give current ITC students those same opportunities.

What is a cruise ship turnaround?

A cruise ship turnaround is the interval between cruises. The ship docks, all passengers disembark, the ship is readied for the next cruise, new passengers board and the ship sails.

This is what our students got up to:

• Meet and greet passengers in a wide variety of roles.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Process passengers during check in.
• Validate passports and documents.
• Use multi cruise brand check-in systems.
• Support, guide and assist passengers and special needs guests.
• Luggage assistance.
• Ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.
• Adhere to Akorn Staff Policies and procedures.
• Adhere to various Cruise Lines Policy & Procedures.

The cruise ships were the Norwegian Spirit, Seven Seas Explorer, Celebrity Eclipse, and the Oceania Regatta.

How were graduates chosen for the job?

 Akorn was looking for graduates who were motivated, resilient and respectful. They also wanted students to be quite focused on providing great customer service, and have a real ‘can-do’ attitude. Of course, they had to also hold an ITC travel and tourism qualification, and be reliable and on time.

Here are the full criteria for the job.

• Ability to work flexible hours – weekend, public holidays, and on occasion, evenings during the cruise season
• Be a team player
• Have initiative and excellent communication skills
• Be highly customer focused, helpful and with excellent personal manners
• Prior experience in tourism and/or customer service is highly valued
• Good level of English
• Basic computer skills recommended (training on cruise-line systems provided)

We sent them eight outstanding ITC students who took part in this incredible opportunity; Vironique, Ben, Vianca, Eseta, Ghazal, Serafina, Mele, and Tamzin.

We recently reached out to the students to find out about their experience.

What did everyone have to say about the experience?

“Cruise turnarounds are such a fun day! Early starts! We have to be at the wharf for when the ship arrives, which is usually 7am. Disembarkation is usually about 3 hours as guests come off the ship in staggered groups. Because they were usually arriving into NZ they pass through customs, collect their luggage and then go through MAF – just like the airport but on a wharf!! There would be a team of us in the luggage hall helping passengers to locate their luggage. That’s where I started and by my last shift I was managing the hall.”

“Guests then depart the wharf and go in all different directions, which is where we were mostly involved; guiding the passengers on to taxis, coaches to the airport or hotels, or off on tours. There is an incredible amount of organisation that goes on over the period of just one day. Once all the passengers have left the ship, it’s time to ‘turn around’ and check in the passengers who start their cruise journey from Auckland. This is probably the most exciting part of the day because you meet so many lovely people who are so excited about their cruise. I met a mother and daughter who were close to having been on 100 cruises!! They had cruised every continent except Antarctica, which they had booked to be number 100!”

“The coolest thing was if you were checking a passenger in and a little note came up saying ‘see message’ and when you tapped in to that, it said the passenger had been upgraded! Giving that news was like making all their dreams come true!”

“The downside of these great fun days (which go so fast!) is that the ship departs at 6pm, and we aren’t on it. You spend all day wishing you were going with the passengers (I guess that’s the same as working at the airport!) but it was quite sad when the passengers said, ‘see you onboard!’ and instead we were heading home…”

What did Akorn have to say about working with ITC students and graduates?

Head of Cruise for Akorn Australian and NZ, Anthony Brent had this to say about our ITC students:

“The students/staff I must say have been amazing – I have personally received a lot of great comments from our cruise ship staff and head office executives. Once this season is finished I will be heading back over to Auckland and I would love to set up a meeting to discuss next season and to assist in any way with presentations and talks for your students”

This is one of many ways ITC builds industry relationships and student opportunities. ITC students are sought after when our industry is looking to employ more staff. We continue to strive in offering the best experience so our students stand out from the other candidates, which has significantly contributed to the continuous success of our graduates.

If you’re interested in studying with a provider that ensures you get hands-on learning opportunities so that you’re ready to work in the industry, contact us to find out about our industry-recognised qualifications today.

Campus Study – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Your insider’s guide to: Working in bungy jumping

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in bungy jumping? We asked one of NZ’s top bungy pros to learn more!

When you study travel and tourism, there are so many exciting careers available to you.

Here in New Zealand, we’re the home of the bungy jump, and many of our students graduate with the goal of working as a Jump Master – like Fleur, who recently landed her dream job in Queenstown.

To find out a little more about what it’s like to work in bungy jumping, we reached out to Graham Trubuhovich, National Operations Manager for AJ Hackett Bungy. Here’s what he had to say.

Can you tell our readers about your tourism career? What roles did you do before you became the General Manager of AJ Hackett Bungy Auckland?

I used to be the North Island GM, taking a further step forward to National Operations Manager.

My journey started at entry level in the company in Queenstown, initially working part time in the raft at the Kawarau and doing some driving work for AJ Hackett Bungy. I progressed into our Activities teams and trained how to be a Jump Master.

That lead to Jump Operations Manager for Queenstown before moving to Auckland to move into a full management role to learn more of the business side of the company. During my time in Auckland, the company grew to include the SkyJump & SkyWalk and later Taupo Bungy and Swing, all adding learning and challenge to my role as the North Island GM.

Then currently the last change in 2022 to National Operations Manager where all of the site crew at all our locations have their reporting line end up at me. I was always interested in learning more and looking for the next challenge and have ended up in the fortunate position of that opportunity always being available internally and not having to bounce around other companies to find what I needed.

What is the career journey of someone who helps our Bungy jumpers off the edge?

In Auckland and Taupo all crew are cross trained through multiple areas – frontline, photo and video, raft, customer prep and harnessing. Then crew work out where their interest and abilities lie and can begin their journey to a Jump Master.

That can be starting in the raft in Taupo or as a SkyWalk guide at the SkyTower before moving to the jump deck and starting that training process. In Queenstown you choose a department at the initial application (frontline/activities/P&V/café etc) and are trained all the way through in that one department, although cross training is available later in this process.

What does the average day look like for someone who works as a Bungy Master?

This seems like the perfect setting for one of those memes about “what my boss thinks I do”, what my friends think I do, what customers think I do, what I really do!

Across all the different activities we have the core is relatively the same for activity crew. You need to ensure you and your customers are safe while doing the activity, while at the same time be entertaining, energetic, look cool while trying to look like you’re not, make horrible jokes about safety while also being ridiculously safe, be a mother/father/big sibling to people who can’t quite work up the courage – this may involve encouragement or tough love (good cop/bad cop). Then there’s always the battle with the rest of the crew on who has the best lunch…

What would surprise us about working in Bungy? 

We have lots of crew who are still afraid to jump, some have only done it the once when they started. Not everyone is super confident and we don’t expect them to be, just do your best.

What makes for an amazing Jump Master? 

People who care – this is not a job for those that don’t care.  Being detail orientated, being able to repeat a process a thousand times while still being relaxed and having a chat with customers. A great Jump Master also has empathy for the scared people who need help to achieve their goals.

What unique jumps do you offer (such as jumps for those with disabilities?)

For bungy jumps, you generally start with the standard swan dive, then depending on your ability and confidence, you can begin to work your way up from there. Backwards, elevators, pendulums, fruit bat, tandems, running jumps, somersaults, at certain times of the year we do bike jump events.

Disabled jumps are sometimes limited by access, as we’re in unusual places but the SkyJump at the SkyTower has an elevator to the top and easy access for almost anyone to be able to jump off.  SkyWalk can be done sitting in a harness with a companion pushing them around the Walk if they’re unable to walk themselves for example.

Is there anything exciting happening in the world of bungy we should know about?

Yes, but not that I can talk about right now sadly…

How many jumps does it take for the fear/nerves to wear off? 

Never. You learn how to hide it and not show it on the outside, and there’s definitely less fear than when you start, but the little voice telling you not to do it always stays. What’s the point otherwise? If you’re not feeling any fear then not much point jumping. This is why people do more extreme jumps, to feel the fear again like it was the first time when your head was screaming no – but you did it anyway.

What tips do you have for anyone looking to get into a career with AJ Hackett?

Just show you’re passionate about working with people, love interacting with new people and most important that you care.

Study From Home

Are you interested in working in bungy jumping? Our online courses can give you a fantastic qualification that might get you a foot in the door at one of New Zealand’s amazing bungy jumping groups.

Get in touch today to learn more about our courses and where they can take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Introducing: ITC’s new Tourism Education Tutor!

Welcome to Laura Orsbourn, the newest member of the ITC family!

ITC is over the moon to welcome a brand new member of the team: Laura Orsbourn.

Laura will be a Tourism Education Tutor and provide marketing support for the Schools Team.

Not only is Laura an ITC graduate, having completed the Levels 3 and 4 Certificate in 2012 with distinction, she was also Student of the Year! After graduating, Laura worked at the Grand Mercure, where she was again honoured with the title of Employee of the Year. There, she worked in supervisor and training roles as well.

Laura returned to ITC in 2019 to complete the Level 5 Diploma before heading overseas to work for Disney. Since her return, she has been working at Tourism Holdings Ltd as a booking host and coordinator.

And now, finally, she returns to ITC once again – but this time as a team member! We’re so excited to have her, and of course had to take a moment to ask her more about her history and what she will bring to the ITC family.

What does your travel industry history look like?

I was 8 months old when I boarded my first aeroplane. And it’s safe to say I’ve been travelling the world ever since. Like many young adventurist, I thought I would become a flight attendant and travel the world, however after studying at ITC I found my passion in hotels. The range of jobs offered in hotels is amazing. I enjoyed all departments, but customer service is where I shine.

After working in hotels for 8 years, I came back to ITC to gain my diploma and make my way to Disneyworld in Florida. Working at the front desk of a Disney Deluxe resort required patience, energy, knowledge and a passion for creating magical moments.

Coming home to NZ due to Covid was difficult, but I was determined to get back to working in an industry I have so much love for. I jumped at the chance to work for Maui, Britz and Mighty campervans in their reservations team. I spent most of my time helping locals book holidays so they could get out and see their own backyard, when they would normally be booking an international trip.

How will your experience help support students?

I am fortunate enough to be able to share not only my industry experience, but also my ITC student experience as well. I know what these students are going through. And I want to be there to show them just how impressive and thrilling this industry can be, and how they can find their dream job. Passion is infectious, especially when it’s rooted in purpose.  

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Adaptability, flexibility, patience and the willingness to go the extra mile. Put yourself in your customers shoes and give them the best experience of you and your workplace they can have.

What’s next for tourism industry?

I believe the pandemic hit the tourism industry the hardest. However it is clear that all sectors are being creative and trying so hard to bounce back. More innovative and exciting opportunities are being dreamt up every day. No matter what comes its way, the tourism industry will never rest and there will always be adventures waiting for those who are seeking them.

What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

Keep an open mind! There are so many jobs and opportunities that you wouldn’t even know or think of when you are first starting out. And you won’t stay in entry level jobs for long. The more experience you gain in customer service, operating systems, networking and self-management, paired with a positive and willing attitude, the world will really be your oyster.

Study with Study From Home and learn from incredible tutors like Laura

Laura is a wonderful ambassador for the travel and tourism industry, and we know she will be right at home amongst our incredible team or tutors and educators. It’s important to ITC that students can learn from those who have truly experienced the industry for themselves, which provides real-world knowledge for the next generation of travel and tourism workers.

If you’re interested in studying somewhere that lives and breathes travel and tourism, we’d love to have you. Get in touch to learn more about our courses or how to enrol today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

7 ways to snap out of procrastination

Do you find yourself procrastinating when you should be studying? Here’s how to snap out of it!

Whether it’s study for school, work, tidying up the house, or even getting out of bed, we’re all guilty of procrastination from time to time.

We put off doing tasks even when we know we need to get started, or when we know that we will suffer later.

Procrastination is certainly normal and human, but when you’ve got coursework to do, you need to find ways to snap out of it so you can graduate with a qualification in travel and tourism.

Here are seven of the best ways to get back on track!

1. Do something that takes less than five minutes

 Take a look at your to-do list and pick something that only takes a few minutes.

It might be replying to an email, doing a quiz, or even simply making your bed.

Whatever it is, it can help you get into the groove of accomplishing tasks and getting things done. This can be a great way to start your day so you tick off a few quick and easy things before getting started on a bigger project.

2. Play a song that hypes you up

Is there a song that wakes you up, makes you feel energised, and gets you tapping your feet every time you play it?

Load it up and get it playing as you set up whatever work you need to get done. Enjoy the music and let it pick up your mood and energy levels, then as it ends, dive into your coursework.

3. Break down the task into doable pieces

Sometimes we procrastinate because the task at hand just feels too big, difficult, and scary. In these cases, it can help massively to break it down into smaller pieces that aren’t so scary.

For example, let’s say you have to write an essay. Essays can be tough and it’s always hard getting started when you’re staring at a blank page.

But instead of sitting down to write an essay, try sitting down and writing the title. Then, make bullet points of the main topics you want to cover. After that, you can brain dump some thoughts next to each bullet point (it doesn’t have to be tidy or well written, just pop down anything that comes to mind). Next, write the introduction.

At this point, you’ve completed several small and doable tasks. However, you’ve also created a detailed plan for your essay – all you need to do now is tidy up your notes and add a conclusion!

Whatever the task, it’s likely you can mentally break it down into smaller pieces to make it much more manageable.

4. Treat yourself

There’s nothing quite like a reward to convince yourself to get some study done.

Make a plan to treat yourself when you reach minor and major milestones in your work. For example, if you finish a section of your workbook, you might treat yourself to a coffee, snack, or five minutes snuggling a pet. If you finish an assessment, you might treat yourself to watching an episode of your favourite show, or meeting up with a friend.

Do the mahi, get the treats!

5. Get a study buddy and hold each other accountable

One of the awesome things about studying online with Study From Home is that you’re not alone. You’ll have fellow students and tutors to connect with throughout your course – and even after you graduate.

Get in touch with a course mate or even a tutor and make an agreement. Let them know what work you’re planning to get done by a certain day, and if you haven’t done it by then, you owe them!

For example, say you promise them you’ll finish making your way through a workbook by next Friday. If you haven’t done it, you could agree to a ‘penalty’. The penalty could be anything from buying them a coffee to sending them an embarrassing childhood photo – whatever will motivate you to get through the work!

6. Take a real break

Sometimes we procrastinate simply because we’re tired. So we sit down to get something done, then end up scrolling social media or wasting time instead. The result is not a real break that refreshes you, but not work either.

So give yourself permission to take a real break. Go outside for a walk, give a friend a call for a catch up, or simply relax and listen to some of your favourite music.

After 30 minutes, come back to your studies and get started right away. You’ll feel fresher and rested so you can dive right in.

7. Make a vision board

Anyone studying with Study From Home or ITC is likely doing it with a potential career in travel and tourism in mind.

Do you want to be a flight attendant? Work in a travel agency? Welcome guests on the front desk of a hotel? Be a tour guide somewhere amazing?

Whatever your dream career is, put together a vision board. Fill it with images of what your life and job could be like when you work in that role – photos of travel, adventure, meeting people, and all the excitement of a career in travel.

Every time you get stuck, check out your vision board and remind yourself why you’re doing this. Then use that excitement to keep going.

Stop procrastinating – enrol today!  

Have you been putting off enrolment with Study From Home? Snap out of your procrastination and enrol today to kick start an incredible career in travel and tourism.

Simply visit our Enrolment page and fill out the quick and easy Enrolment Form to get started.

Our friendly tutors will be with you every step of the way to help keep you going, so you’ll have plenty of support and guidelines as you earn an internationally recognised qualification that could get you a foot in the door in your dream career.

Contact us today to learn more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Did you know you can start with Study From Home right now?

Ready to earn a qualification in 2023? You can enrol and get started with us today!

Study From Home is the online version of the International Travel College (ITC) of New Zealand.

ITC’s courses are currently getting started for the New Year, with classes beginning over the next month. But did you know, that thanks to Study From Home’s online learning programme, you can get started any time you like – even today.

If you enrol now, you could be doing the first steps in your coursework this week, and working your way towards a qualification that gives you a foot in the door in the travel and tourism industry here in New Zealand and around the world.

What you can start studying today

• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (level 3): This qualification provides an excellent foundation in tourism. You’ll learn about travel requirements and documentation, customer service, communication, and more. This is a great option if you know you want to work in travel and tourism, but aren’t sure which job just yet.
• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation (level 3): This qualification is the alternative level 3 option. It also provides a fantastic basic level of knowledge for a variety of tourism jobs, but has a specific focus on the aviation industry. This is a great choice for anyone looking to become a flight attendant or work in an airport.
• The New Zealand Certificate in Travel (level 4): This programme is a progression on our level 3 courses, and adds new skills and knowledge including online fare and ticketing systems, financial operations, teamwork, and more. You don’t need to have completed a level 3 course with use to enrol in this course, but you do need to have either achieved NCEA level 3 and/or have relevant work experience.
• The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (level 5): This high level course provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to prepare for high level roles in management. Skills offered include marketing, strategic planning, finance, human resources, and more. This is a fast-paced and challenging course, and to study it, you either need to have achieved NCEA level 4 or have appropriate work experience.

What’s it like to study from home?

Study From Home has been designed to support students as they work through the programmes, and to ensure that learning is as interactive and interesting as it is informative.

Therefore, you won’t spend the whole time reading pages and pages of information then doing exams. Instead, our programme material includes video lessons, short quizzes, online forums, research activities, real-world cases studies, and the support of dedicated tutors should you ever need advice or encouragement.

You can study in your own time, so you can easily fit a course around part-time work, or even full-time work if you’re extra dedicated.

If you’re unsure about what it would be like to study online, you can also sign up for a free trial where you get to see what the coursework looks like.

Enrol now

Ready to get started? You can enrol right now by filling out our enrolment form, and we’ll get back to you to confirm your spot as soon as possible.

Or if you have any questions at all, call or email us to learn more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the team at ITC and Study From Home!

We’re taking a break over Christmas and New Year’s, so happy holidays and we’ll see you in January!

Christmas and the New Year have arrived, and we’re all crossing our fingers for warm weather and sunshine to celebrate all over Aotearoa.

We’re also taking a break for the festive season to give our students and staff a very well-deserved holiday.

With that in mind, our campuses will close at 5pm on Friday, December 16.

We will be open again on Monday, January 9.

How to enrol during the Christmas break

You can still enrol during the Christmas break, and secure your plans for 2023!

You can access an overview of all of the courses and their next start dates on our courses overview page, and learn more about what you’ll learn in each one by clicking through to each page.

Typically, the first step in the enrolment process is to book an information session. This session gives you a chance to chat to someone on the team, ask all your burning questions, and generally get a feel for what it would be like to earn a qualification with Study From Home.

If you already know which course you’d like to take, you can enrol online today and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re back in the office so you can start your studies in January.

We look forward to helping you improve your career prospects when we get back to the office on Monday, January 9.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From everyone at ITC and Study From Home, we’re wishing you a wonderful break, with plenty of travel and tourism adventures and lots of time spent with friends and family.

We’re already looking forward to meeting our new students in the New Year – we’ll see you soon!

ITC hosts an Air New Zealand open day

Our Air New Zealand Open Day was a huge success.

On Thursday last week, ITC hosted an Air New Zealand open day to connect our national carrier with our current students and graduates.

We wanted to create an opportunity for our students and graduates to learn about the flight attending roles currently available at Air New Zealand, and enjoy the chance to speak to recruiters from the company.

As expected, the day was a huge hit!

What happened during the Air New Zealand open day?

The event kicked off with a 30-minute presentation from the Air New Zealand team.

This gave our students plenty of valuable information about flight attending, what it was like to work in those roles, career opportunities in the future, and more. At the end, students and graduates had the chance to ask any questions they had.

“This is the first time Air NZ have visited a Travel and Tourism college to recruit and share tips for those who are still studying but have cabin crew on their radar. The ITC students and graduates loved their humour and honesty and everyone who interviewed came out of their interviews smiling and spoke about the experience being a positive one,” explained Employment Consultant Sarndra Stephens.

Following the event, students who were eligible for an interview had the opportunity to meet with a cabin crew manager or a recruiter for a quick 1:1 interview. This interview was short but formal, and was specifically for those looking to work as a flight attendant.

Eligible students had to tick a number of boxes to interview, including being a graduate or almost-graduate of ITC or Study From Home, they had to have a valid passport, be at least 18 years old, have prior customer service experience, and have their CV ready to share.

“After a fair amount of negative press about working in travel and Tourism, it was wonderful for an industry partner such as Air NZ to congratulate the students for studying travel and tourism, explain how the qualifications they are studying are so helpful, and let them know they have fabulous jobs to go to when they graduate. As the Employment Consultant I absolutely love working with our ITC students and graduates and helping them realise their dream job or getting them onto the right path for that dream job,” added Sarndra.

What happens next?

Students who were successful in their 1:1 interviews will go on to the next round, in which they will take an online assessment and send through two references. Should they pass this stage, they will go on to do various checks including medical clearance, police clearance, and a swim test.

Successful students will then be contacted for the next available training intake, and we hope to see some of our students and graduates entering that intake in the coming months!

Students who were not taken to the second stage will also benefit from the experience, as they will receive useful feedback on how they might improve their interview skills or CVs for the next opportunity.

Study with us for real-world career opportunities

ITC’s Marketing Manager Mel said this about the day: “Everyone was absolutely buzzing and super excited after the amazing presentation from the Air New Zealand team. With a few ex Air NZ staff in the crowd (ITC Tutors & Staff) we were all so proud to host this event to help promote the wonderful roles available.”

When you study with ITC or Study From Home, you don’t just gain a valuable qualification. We also work hard to provide our current students and graduates with genuine job opportunities. We set up open days like this one, as well as work experience opportunities, and our Employment Consultant Sarndra works to help connect students with available positions in the industry.

If you’d like to study with the college that supports you not just through study but into a career as well, don’t hesitate to get in touch and learn more about our next available start dates!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC chosen to provide training to Auckland’s Pacific workers with Project Ikuna

Project Ikuna will help to train and upskill Auckland’s Pacific workers.

ITC is excited to announce that we have been chosen as a micro-credential provider for Project Ikuna – the training programme for Auckland’s Pacific workers delivered through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

Being chosen to provide training for Project Ikuna attests to our reputation for excellent training programmes and our involvement in the community.

Read on to learn more about what Project Ikuna is, how we’ll be contributing, and why we were chosen as a training partner.

What is Project Ikuna? 

Project Ikuna is an incredible programme that provides completely free training for Pacific people in work in Auckland. It is a MBIE-funded programme that’s designed to help the Pacific people in employment to upskill and adapt to the future of work.

Employers can sign up for Project Ikuna in order to provide their staff with free training options, which include a variety of courses such as money confidence, introduction to leadership, wellbeing, preparing for retirement, life online, and more.

Employers can pick one course for their employees or several, all of which is fully funded.

The courses are short, typically just 16 hours or so, and can be delivered on-site at the workplace, at our ITC campuses, or online in some cases. Programmes are usually delivered over the space of eight weeks with just two hours per week, but employers can opt for a different schedule that better suits their workplace if they prefer.

How will ITC take part?

ITC will be one of the providers all of the Project Ikuna courses available at the moment all over the Auckland region.

Our tutors will either deliver the programmes at workplaces to suit the employers, or staff can come to one of our ITC campuses to receive the training in one of our classrooms. Businesses can choose which option works best for their schedule, needs, and staff.

Claire Huxley, ITC Chief Executive, played a large role in forming the relationship with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

“We are so excited to be appointed a Project Ikuna partner, we see this as a valuable partnership with the government, Auckland Council, employers and learners in Tāmaki Makaurau. ITC has always prided itself on encouraging and working with people to enjoy the journey of learning and we see education as a key tool for personal development in the workplace, it’s a win/win for everyone,” she said. 

Why was ITC chosen?

With our track record of providing excellent training programmes to Pasifika students, and our expertise in offering qualifications in the travel and tourism industry, ITC was an obvious choice for Project Ikuna.

Matt Padernal of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited explained the decision, saying that the programme was “recently expanded to provide training to companies in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries, so we were looking for education providers best placed to deliver the training.”

“The International Travel College (ITC) is well-known in the education space for its exceptional Travel & Tourism programmes. Therefore, ITC was a perfect partner to come on board for Project Ikuna as a new provider who can offer high-standard training to Pacific people employed in these industries.

“Our aspiration is that these short, externally accredited, in-work courses that ITC will be delivering through Project Ikuna will support Pacific people in less skilled jobs to move into higher-level jobs with their existing employers or be better placed to pursue further training or other employment should their existing jobs end due to the constantly changing nature of work,” explained Padernal.

Interested in upskilling your Pacific workforce?

If you’re an employer in the Auckland region and would like to access fully funded training for your Pacific staff, you can register your interest with Project Ikuna today.

What type of computer does someone need to study with Study From Home?

Not sure if you have everything you need to study from home? Here’s what you do (and don’t) need!

One of the most common questions we hear from potential Study From Home students is about what they’ll need to actually complete the coursework at home.

While you don’t need much at all to complete your online studies, there are a few things that are absolutely essential for our students.

What you need to complete a Study From Home qualification

Any laptop or desktop computer are both great options for students looking to complete a Study From Home qualification.

However, even a simple tablet with a keyboard works just as well. The tablet (such as an iPad) can access the ITC online system just as well as a desktop computer or laptop, but a keyboard is also necessary. You will need the keyboard to type in responses for all of the written assessments, and for any emails and messages with your tutor.

Also, whether you use a tablet or a laptop, it needs to be reliable. Models that only switch on sometimes or that have other major problems can get in the way of your studies. If they stop working, you won’t be able to keep working, so it’s important that whatever device you use is one you can rely on.

Another important requirement is that the device is available all the time. If you have to share it with siblings, kids, a partner, or anyone else, their time with it might get in the way of your study time, which could slow you down. Ideally, students will have access to a device of their own for the duration of their studies.

You will also need a good connection to the internet to access the coursework. Fibre is ideal because it’s so fast and reliable, but a good broadband connection will work just fine.

What DON’T you need to complete a Study From Home qualification

Here’s one of the biggest misconceptions about Study From Home: That you need a fancy laptop or computer.

You absolutely do not need the latest MacBook or high-spec laptop. All of our course materials are based on the web, so any simple, low cost, or reliable old monitor is perfectly fine for the job. For example, many of our students use Chromebooks to study at home.

You also don’t need anything specific in terms of notebooks or pens and stationery, unless of course you prefer to take notes in writing rather than on a screen.

If you’re still unsure about what you need to study with Study From Home, you can give our free trial a try. This trial lets you take a look at what the course material actually looks like, so you can do a quick exercise with the device you have at home and see how it all works before you actually enrol.

Or, you can always get in touch with any questions! Our friendly team is always happy to help and answer any questions you have about Study From Home, the qualifications on offer, the roles you might be able to apply for in future, and anything in between.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC and Study From Home graduates getting hired all over Aotearoa

Our graduates are getting hired for amazing travel and tourism positions all over New Zealand.

At ITC and Study from Home, we teach students all about the travel and tourism industry, all with the intent of helping students gain jobs and careers.

But what happens next?

We often interview students for blogs who have been hired in fantastic positions, but that only gives you a look at the occasional graduate. When in fact, many, many, MANY of our graduates are walking out the door at ITC and getting hired practically immediately.

Travel and tourism hiring frenzy

Right now, travel and tourism providers all over New Zealand and the world are pouncing on anyone with qualifications looking for work.

We are constantly hearing from those in the industry about the shortage of workers, and reading about it on the news as well.

In this article about Rachel Rose, HR and recruitment manager for Southern Discoveries, she said: “We’ve been basically recruiting non-stop, constantly, at a steady, steady pace for four months now.”

We’re also hearing from past students about how quickly they are moving up the ranks. One student, Sinead McDonnell, only just finished her ITC Diploma this year. Yet in that time, she gained employment at a Sudima Hotel, was promoted to Food and Beverage supervisor, and has been promoted again to Front Office Duty Manager.

Roles recently filled by ITC and Study From Home students

So many of our students have been getting work recently, that it’s hard to keep up! Here are just some of the amazing roles that our graduates have filled over the past couple of months:

• AJ Hackett bungy crew
• Air New Zealand cabin crew (four students!)
• Qantas/Jet connect cabin crew (two students)
• Disneyworld Florida internship (Four students)
• House of Travel travel consultant
• Flight Centre travel consultant
• The Broadmoor Resort (USA) horse wrangler and guide and reception (2 students)
• Orbit travel groups and events consultant
• Le Meridien Noumea Resort & Spa reservations agent
• Camp America camp counsellor
• Grand Millennium Hotel reservation supervisor
• Haka Tours tour consultant (two students)
• Go Holidays Wholesale Consultant and Cruise Consultant
• First Light Travel – Travel Designers (four students)
• Menzies Aviation – Passenger ambassadors (SIX students)
• Menzies Aviation – Front of house check in agents (four students)
• And many, many more…

We are so proud to see so many of our students gain employment in such amazing travel and tourism businesses all over New Zealand and the world.

Graduate jobs available right now

On top of all the roles our graduates have already filled, we also keep track of some of the best roles available in the industry right now. If you are an ITC or Study From Home graduate (like you could be in 2023!), these are the kinds of positions we’ll be telling you about and helping you to apply for!

• Hobbiton – Movie set tour guide
• Air Chathams – check-in crew
• Air New Zealand – Customer service agent
• Auckland Museum – Front office and guest services
• Rotorua Zipline – Zipline guide
• Punting on Avon – Punter
• Te Papa – Host
• Velocity Valley – Ride operator
• Jucy Rentals – Customer experience consultant
• Sounds Air – Ground crew
• Distinction Hotel – Guest services agent
• Hotel Britomart – Porter/valet
• Menzies Aviation – Airline customer service agent
• Swissport – Airline customer service agent

We are hearing about so many roles that at this point, we are only selecting and sharing the best with our graduates.

If you have ever thought about working in travel and tourism, there has truly never been such a great time to get qualified and enjoy your pick of some fantastic jobs. Explore our available courses here, or get in touch to learn more about how you can enrol and get started on the career of your dreams.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

What exactly is Study From Home?

Not too sure what Study From Home is? Here’s how it all works!

You might know that Study From Home offers online learning options, where you can earn a valuable travel and tourism qualification from the comfort of your own home.

However, there can be big differences in extramural (non-classroom) learning, depending on the structure. Generally speaking, there are three main categories of extramural learning.

Here are the three types, and the one that Study From Home offers!

Synchronous online learning

Synchronous online learning simply refers to live classes that are offered via video, such as Zoom.

This kind of learning requires you to log on and watch the video at specific times every week. Plus, you will usually be given resources to support those video classes.

This is essentially the format that many students took for school during covid, so many young leaners already have experience with it. They will also know how difficult it can be to follow the videos and log in at the right time every day.

Study From Home does not offer synchronous online learning.

Self-directed unsupported learning

Self-directed unsupported learning programmes are where you sign up, then the education provider sends you a pile of resources. These are usually PDF textbooks that you’ll need to read for your studies.

With this kind of study, you won’t usually talk to other students or have much interaction or support from your tutors. You will simply read through the resources then do your assessments.

Study From Home does not offer unsupported learning.

Self-directed supported learning

Self-directed supported learning is where you sign up for the course, then get given a variety of resources. This includes written content to read, but also interactive videos to watch, visual content to look at, and audio content to listen to.

There are activities to help you learn that will get you to engage with the course tutors regularly. For full-time students, this usually means being in touch with tutors several times per week.

If you get stuck or have any questions, the tutors will always be on hand to offer assistance and tutorials.

You will complete all of your activities and go through the resources at a pace that suits you.

This is exactly what Study From Home is. We have worked hard to create a range of learning resources that will teach you the course material in a fun and engaging way in your own time, with a huge amount of support on hand from our tutors.

For a taster to see what it is really like, you can sign up for a free trial to try out our resources and get a feel for what your study time will include.

If you have any questions at all about how Study From Home works, get in touch with our friendly team today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Complete Study From Home courses to upskill and progress at work

Hoping to progress at work? Study From Home could help!

ITC and Study From Home are proud to offer great options for young Kiwis looking to study after high school. However, we’re also a fantastic option for any Kiwis looking to upskill and further their careers, even if it’s been a long time since they were at high school.

Since Study From Home offers online learning for anyone in New Zealand, it’s a viable option for those already working in travel and tourism who are looking to take the next step.

Here’s how!

Study From Home to progress at work

Study From Home offers several online learning options, all of which you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

These qualifications span from level 3 to level 5:

• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3
• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation Level 3
• The New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4
• The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel Level 5
• The two-year Business in Tourism Diploma

Depending on where you are in your career right now, you could either begin at the earlier levels for foundation courses in travel and tourism, or start on a higher level. Our team would be more than happy to help you determine which course would be best for your current skills, knowledge, and career goals.

As well as being able to study wherever suits you, these courses can also be taken part time. You’ll be able to continue working at your current job, while studying on the side to further your career.

That means you can learn gain new skills, knowledge, and qualifications, all without having to quit your job, go back to school, or commute to a campus.

What you learn with Study From Home could either help you progress into a more senior level at your current job, or move into a better job elsewhere.

Hear from the graduates who have progressed in their careers 

When you complete courses with Study From Home, you’ll do it with the support of your online tutors every step of the way. Even once you graduate, the ITC and Study From Home family will still be there to support you and help you find new jobs when it’s time to make a change.

That’s why we often stay in touch with our graduates and hear about their fantastic successes for years after they finish their courses. We’ve recently been catching up with a couple of graduates who have progressed into leadership roles in their careers.

One student, Olita, hasn’t just moved into a leadership role – she is now in charge of hiring decisions and hired a new Study From Home graduate!

“ITC gave me the skills and knowledge that I needed to pursue my career in the travel industry working for Inbound,” she said.

“I have the lovely Melissa starting with us tomorrow and can’t wait to welcome her into the team. She ticked all the boxes that we require for the role as a FIT reservation consultant, and I am happy to share the knowledge of Inbound with her,” she added.

Another student, Brooke, studied with us eight years ago, and has recently progressed into the Swissport Management Office at the Jetstar Domestic Terminal.

“ITC gave me the best opportunity to be prepared for the travel and tourism industry, without them I would not have landed my dream job or be where I am today. The real life work experience and expectations of what the industry would expect made my transition from study to full time employment so seamless,” she said.

These are just a couple of examples of students who have gone on into top positions in their careers. Could you be the next?

Get in touch with our friendly team at Study From Home to chat about which course would be best for your level and goals, and how you could go about balancing study with your current role. You can enrol and get started at any time, and there’s no time like the present!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

3 essential skills you’ll need to work in travel and tourism

Thinking of working in travel & tourism? Here are three essential skills you’ll need.

Working in travel and tourism offers a life of excitement, the chance to meet new people and explore the world, with no two days that are ever the same.

No matter whether you work on the front desk of a five-star hotel, or if you’re a travel agent or a flight attendant, all travel and tourism roles require many of the same essential skills.

So if you’re considering a career in travel and tourism, here are the key skills you’ll need no matter where you end up!

Communication skills

Communicating well is so important for so many jobs and careers, especially so in travel and tourism.

You’ll need to know how to handover key information clearly. This could be useful details about the hotel someone is checking into, or a well-written email that highlights the best attractions you’d recommend for someone visiting Auckland.

It will also be important to know about communicating across different cultures, as you’ll interact with people from all over the world when you work in travel and tourism. Something as simple as learning how to say ‘hello’ in a few languages can help make travellers feel welcomed anywhere in the world.

Communication and cross-cultural communication skills are both covered in our Study From Home level 3 courses, so even if it’s not a strong point for you right now, we can help you to improve these vital skills.

Customer service skills

The vast majority of travel and tourism jobs will involve some aspect of customer service skills.

You might be a tour guide who needs to know how to ensure your guests have a great time, or you could be car rental agent who needs to ensure your renters have everything they need for an incredible road trip.

Customer service is all about using your knowledge of the business and local knowledge to best meet the needs of your clients. You’ll need to be able to adapt your service according to the person, whether that’s a corporate businessman or a young couple on their honeymoon.

Of course, customer service is a focus point in our Study From Home courses!

Problem solving skills

A lot of the interest in working in travel and tourism is that no two days are the same. You’ll face all sorts of interesting dilemmas, and it will be beneficial to be able to problem solve to handle the situation quickly and carefully.

According to Andrew Houston, our Botany Campus Manager, problem solving is the most important skill in the industry.

“There are not many industries that I can think off that are more heavily impacted by factors beyond the business’ control. Bad weather, mechanical or technological failures, political changes and pandemics (Covid!) to name just a few. Any one of these factors (along with a million and one others) can pop up at any moment to create problems for businesses and its customers. What people who work and manage those businesses must do is find the best solutions possible to manage those tricky situations when they arise,” he explained.

Being able to identify and deal with problems as they arise can make a big difference in the industry. In many cases, you’ll have training from your employer on what to do when things go wrong, but there will be plenty of moments when you’ll need to make a quick decision that can improve the situation.

Our courses are loaded with real life case student scenarios that will give you plenty of opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills to try to solve the problem. In each case study, you’ll also learn what the businesses did in real life so you can compare your solution to theirs.

Get the skills and knowledge you need by studying online

Our online travel and tourism qualifications offer a variety of skills, such as communication and customer service. They also provide a wide range of key information that can help anyone looking to work in the industry, including travel requirements and documentation.

These courses have been designed to give anyone a solid introduction to all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to get a leg up in travel and tourism, making them the perfect online study option for advancing your career.

Get in touch with us today to learn more, or find out how you can enrol and get started right now!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Louise Swann: Tourism guru and ITC’s newest Course Advisor

Louise Swann is ITC and Study From Home’s new Course Advisor.

All of the team members at ITC and Study From Home have a genuine passion for travel and tourism, with countless years of experience in the industry. We believe that’s vital if we’re going to train the next generation in how to work in travel and tourism.

With our newest team member Louise Swann (or Lulu), we’re bringing in decades of experience. But not just that, we’re welcoming back a student who graduated 20 years ago, spent that entire time travelling the world, meeting people, and gaining experience in the industry.

Now, Lulu is back at ITC as a brand new Course Advisor, and is ready to share her wealth of experience and relentless energy and passion for tourism with students.

We asked her a little more about how it all began and what she’s been up to over the past two decades. Here’s what she had to say!

How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?

My passion began for the industry when I first set foot on an Air New Zealand aircraft in 1973, we were off to Samoa to see family and friends. I loved every minute, the excitement of travel exceeded my expectations. From the moment we arrived, there were lovely welcoming friendly staff, so helpful, and nothing was a problem. The crew stayed at the family Hotel Aggie Greys, so we had an incredible time with them showing off the beautiful island waterfalls and swimming with the turtles and blow holes. I knew then I had to work in the industry, it was absolutely my first love.

What does your travel industry history look like?

My travel industry history began when I was a student here at ITC 20 years ago, when I graduated armed with Level 3 & 4 Diploma in Travel and Tourism.

My first job in Auckland tourism was amazing – it was the America’s Cup. The city was buzzing with tourism and I booked people on boat trips to see the race from private yachts to Fuller Cruises, and helped book their accommodation ranging from hotels, motels, backpackers. We got to experience it ourselves which was rewarding. I also booked transport on land and sea nationwide, adventures such as AJ Hackett Bungy, Auckland Bridge Climb, Canyoning down waterfalls (Coromandel), and Skydiving (Mercer/Taupo). Each day was an adventure.

I joined Air New Zealand and worked for 18 months in reservations before commencing my flying career as a domestic flight attendant showcasing our passion for Aotearoa. This included operating flights to Australia and the Pacific Rim. I later trained as a long-haul flight attendant, trained on 6 different Aircrafts exploring USA, North and South America. We also went to Asia Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Korea to name a few. The world was literally my office – the views at 30,000 ft are remarkable, my wildest dreams had suddenly became reality! I loved meeting new crew and people everywhere I went. I gained lifelong friendships.

The last aircraft I trained on was the B787 standard and B787-9 Aircraft. These wowed the public with a new and exciting experience, desired mood lighting and leather seats. It was an honour to be part of an everchanging industry that never sleeps but continues to strive to be the very best in everything, from service focus on operational surety, to health and safety and on-time performance.

I have to tell you that my highlight with Air New Zealand was joining the Legacy team of Management & staff on an expedition to climb Mt Everest! This is where I found my spiritual place on our beautiful planet!

How will your experience help support students?

I love sharing my experience with students as I can give them firsthand experience of what it is like to have ”The day and the life of a flight attendant.” You must be passionate, you must be proud and dedicated, love challenging yourself, as every second counts. It is a daily surprise, it is a demanding role, that will push you to your full potential!

I am your Course adviser for today, who knows what the future brings, I am ready for any challenge, if it dares to present itself.

Get taught by the best

At ITC and Study From Home, our tutors, advisors, and team members all share a love of travel and tourism. We’re so lucky to have Louise join the team, and when you give ITC a call to talk about course options and where they might take you, she will be the one answering the phone and chatting through it all.

She’s energetic, so friendly, and as a past student who has enjoyed an incredible career as a flight attendant, she’s perfectly qualified to help direct new students. So get in touch today to say hello, and learn about where ITC and Study From Home can take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Air New Zealand snapping up ITC graduates

Ruby Cowie is one of several Study From Home graduates that Air New Zealand has hired recently.

As the New Zealand travel and tourism industry gears up for a very busy summer season ahead, we’re seeing our ITC graduates get snapped up by employers practically as they walk out the door from their graduation ceremony. Many before they graduate.

One of those employers is Air New Zealand, which is quickly hiring and training staff across their operations all over the country. We are fortunate to be recognised as a preferred provider for many airlines and tourism organisations. Our highly skilled graduates are sought after by the industry.

For us, these job offers are hugely exciting, as many of our graduates begin studying with us with the goal of working for this renowned and award-winning airline. To see students land their dream jobs immediately is everything we could hope for as an education provider.

One of these graduates is Ruby Cowie, a Study From Home graduate who has been dreaming of working with Air New Zealand since she was 10 years old. We reached out to Ruby to have a quick chat about the application process and her advice for other students.

How do you feel your qualifications with ITC prepared you for this new role at Air NZ?

I feel that my qualifications with ITC prepared me for my new role with Air NZ by allowing me to have a lot more knowledge of an airport and cabin crew. It helped me feel much more confident when I applied for the role because I had a lot of more information and confidence behind me.

 When you first applied, what did you have to do?

When I first applied for the role I had to send through my CV and a cover letter and answer around 20/30 questions online about myself and about the role. From then I had to wait a few weeks to hear back if I got accepted to the next stage or not.

It must have felt amazing to have that positive reply after your initial application. What was the next step once you applied?

It was an amazing feeling to get told I passed through to the next stage, as it has been my dream career since I was 10 and I didn’t expect to get a job at only 21 years old.

The next steps was: I had to do a digital online interview (due to covid) with a cabin crew/ Air NZ manager. It was about a 30-40 minute interview where I got asked some behavioural and psychological questions, and also some questions about myself and what I want from the job for them to get to know me and how I think.

After my Interview I got told it would take up to 7 days to hear back if I’d been accepted to the next stage, however I was lucky enough I got a call back within 20 mins to say I had been accepted to the next stage. This stage was called the “vetting stage”, which was all the nitty gritty things. Firstly I had to complete an online cognitive and maths test, so basically brain testers and English etc to see how my brain works. From then I did a medical test, a swim test, a hearing and physical, an eye test, a criminal test check, a reference check, and a few other bits and bobs.

From there if you are successful you get offered a job and put into the next available or suitable intake for you. I am starting my job after my wedding in Nov 2022, so around mid-October they will fly me up to Auckland to get a uniform fitting and grooming information. From there you will get a starting date where you will do 4 weeks intensive ground training and then you have final exams.

Once you complete and pass your final exams you will be a qualified Air New Zealand flight attendant. Then you will be ready to fly on the planes!

 Would you have any words of wisdom or tips for others at the application stage?

My tips would be to be yourself, don’t try to be who you think Air NZ wants. Be you.

How did they tell you that you got the job?

I got a phone call and a confirmation email.

 What are you looking forward to the most with your training?

I am most looking forward to meeting lots of new friends and sliding down the emergency slide off the plane.

I certainly couldn’t of done it with the help of ITC. They made me build some extreme confidence and made me feel extremely proud of who I am and what I want to do. I highly recommend ITC, I did Study From Home so it was extremely flexible for me as I worked full time so I could still earn money and study at the same time.

Want to be the next Air New Zealand hire?

ITC and Study From Home are trusted providers for travel and tourism qualifications in New Zealand, which is why many employers love receiving applications from our graduates. If you have a dream to work in the industry, our qualifications can help you take that first important step with a valuable certification.

Don’t hesitate to explore our course options or get in touch to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Be one of the 1.2 million workers tourism needs to employ this year!

The travel and tourism industry needs to employ countless staff this year – could you be one of them?

The World Travel and Tourism Council recently announced that the industry needs to employ 1.2 million new workers this year – and that’s just in the European Union!

Many of these jobs were lost over the pandemic, but now that tourism is well and truly bouncing back, there’s a huge demand for skilled workers across the industry all over the world.

Julia Simpson, World Travel and Tourism Council President & CEO talked about how Europe has seen one of the best recoveries so far, but that the sector is struggling to keep up with the surge in demand.

“Governments and the private sector need to come together to provide the best opportunities for people looking for the great career opportunities that the travel sector offers,” she explained.

Here in New Zealand, we’re seeing similar demand from the industry in the lead-up to the first summer season with open borders since before the pandemic.

Many sectors are seeing increases in the amount of job ads, but hospitality and tourism have seen the largest year-on-year growth of them all. From August 2021 to August 2022, the sector had a huge growth of 175% in job ads, highlighting just how many roles are out there for skilled workers all over the country.

Great news for qualified workers

All of this might make things tough for tourism and travel employers right now, but it’s great news for anyone with a qualification – such as our Study From Home graduates.

First of all, it means there’s a huge amount of choice for our students and graduates. From airline roles, to opportunities in hotels, to working with some of New Zealand’s top tourism attractions, with so many jobs available, graduates are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a position that suits them.

Not to mention, employers know that to attract top talent, they’re going to have to offer competitive salaries and benefits. When so many places are vying for the same pool of qualified staff, employers are starting to offer better incentives for working with them.

Of course, our ITC employment consultant is on hand to help connect students and graduates with great roles in the industry.

Get qualified with Study From Home  

No experience or knowledge of tourism and travel? No problem.

Study From Home offers New Zealanders the chance to earn valuable qualifications in travel and tourism. You can do it all from the comfort of your own home, and all on your own schedule.

That means you can get started today, and either power through the coursework quickly full-time, or earn your qualifications slowly part-time while you manage other work or family commitments.

Either way, once you complete a qualification with Study From Home, you’ll be a much more attractive potential employee for the countless travel and tourism employers around New Zealand.

Explore our courses to see which qualification you’d like to study, or get in touch to find out more about how it all works, or what kinds of jobs would be available to you with an industry-recognised level 3 certificate from Study From Home. We’d love to hear from you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Planning a trip over summer? You can study while you’re away!

Did you know that you can study while you’re on holiday this summer? Study From Home makes it possible!

Summer is almost here, and many Kiwis are looking forward to trips and holidays over the warmer months.

There’s no doubt that exploring and taking holidays is a fun way to spend the summer, but did you know you can earn a valuable qualification, even while you’re away?

Study From Home is an online learning platform, where you can earn level 3, 4 and 5 qualifications from anywhere in New Zealand. Here’s a little more about Study From Home.

Study online with Study From Home

Study From Home offers travel and tourism qualifications for learners in New Zealand, all of which you can complete from the comfort of your own home – or, from the comfort of a bach or holiday rental while you’re away.

There are two level three courses you can choose from to gain a foundation level of study to enter the industry. These are the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel, and the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation. These are both excellent options to take the first step in an exciting career in travel, tourism, or aviation.

If you’re already working in travel and tourism and are looking to improve your career prospects, or if you’ve already completed level 3, you can consider the New Zealand Certificate in Travel level 4, or even the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel level 5.

Not sure if online learning would suit you, or prefer to see how it all works before committing to a course? Not a problem – simply sign up for a completely free trial, and we’ll give you a temporary log in so you can see what it’s all about.

Meet the graduate who made it happen

Study From Home offers so much flexibility that you can enrol and get started studying whenever it suits you (even today!). You can complete your course work on your schedule, and enjoy the benefit of having a dedicated team to support you through the process.

A couple of years ago, one Study From Home student jumped at the chance to earn a qualification while she travelled New Zealand. We interviewed Rhiannon Cribb at the time about her experiences.

“Because of ITC’s option to study online, I have been able to visit so many awesome, new places, that I would never have had the time or money to do, If I didn’t decide to study online,” she said.

We even caught up with her again this year, and learned that she had landed her dream role – and the ideal job for someone who loves to travel – as cabin crew for Air New Zealand.

Rhiannon’s story proves that anyone passionate about travel can both enjoy it and study it at the same time, so that you can turn your passion into a career.

If you’d like to study while you travel this summer, we’d love to have you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more about our distance learning qualifications.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC hosts an incredibly successful Industry Expo at Auckland City Campus

The team from Jetconnect with students at our Industry Expo.

On Wednesday August 31, we held an Industry Expo at our Auckland City Campus, and it was a monumental success.

This special annual event is a fantastic opportunity for both students and tourism employers, and we’re so excited to have seen such a great turnout and incredible connections made on the day.

The Industry Expo

Each year, we invite a number of tourism and travel employers to come along and speak to our current and potential future students about what the industry is like, and what it’s like working for them.

For students, this is a wonderful opportunity to see what kind of career options are available to them when they graduate, and what they need to do to prepare for that ‘dream job’. It’s also a chance for students to make connections in the industry and potentially set up job opportunities in the future, or part-time work while they study.

This year, we invited not just current students but opened up the event to members of the public as well, so anyone could hear from industry insiders. Plus, it was a great chance for potential future students to learn more about studying travel and tourism.

For tourism providers, it’s a great way to meet some of the up and coming students who will soon be graduating and looking for work.

This year, we were excited to welcome representatives from NZ Customs, Jetconnect/Qantas, flight attending, Sudima Hotels, Menzies Aviation, Go Holidays, Helloworld, A J Hackett, Accor Hotel Group, Haka Tours, Fullers 360, and more.

ITC’s Ceri Jenkins played a major role in organising the day, and called the event a “huge success”.

“Students were able to engage with key industry partners in a professional but casual manner which made them feel comfortable enough to ask the right questions and engage in meaningful dialogue. There were so many smiling faces around the campus with students so excited about their futures and exploring new sectors of the industry that they had not thought of previously,” he said.

One highlight of the day was hearing from several industry partners looking to set up interviews with specific students, with one employer inviting a student to visit the hotel immediately for a look around and to work part time as they completed their studies.

“Industry were so impressed with the quality of our students and the interaction they had with them on the day. Many commented about the students’ level of enthusiasm and excitement about working in our industry in the future, which in turn just made the industry partners feel so positive especially after such a challenging few years,” said Ceri.

Feedback from the industry following the expo

Our industry contacts were blown away by the quality and enthusiasm of our students, and weren’t afraid to say so.

“We really enjoyed it… We can tell that all the tutors and leaders at ITC really genuinely care about their students and where they will go after their studies. We can really appreciate the difference.” – Shelby Cooper, Operations Director of International Working Holidays

“It was great to see so many students eager to join the travel and tourism industry after the last couple of years. Attracting young people to our industry is such an important part of our recovery and ITC plays a critical role in this, so thank you for everything that you do!” – Sarah Hunter, General Manager of Go Holidays

“Glad the students enjoyed our visit, we hope to see them graduate their relevant courses and apply with Jetconnect in the future,” – Dickson Ng, Senior Consultant People of Jetconnect

“We really had a good time meeting the students and showing them a little more about what we do,” – Priel Paniora, SkyJump and SkyWalk Manager at AJ Hackett Bungy

Ready to launch your travel and tourism career?

The annual Industry Expo is an exciting event in the ITC and Study From Home calendar, but it’s far from the only time we connect with the industry, and it’s certainly not the only way we help students learn about real-world opportunities.

Our courses are designed to prepare students for work in travel and tourism with practical skills and knowledge, and our employment consultant is dedicated to connecting students and graduates with available positions throughout the year.

If you’d like to start studying travel and tourism with a college that does so much more than just provide qualifications, don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more about us or enrol today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Congratulations to the first of our Scholarship winners this year!

We’re excited to announce some of our first scholarship winners this year! Pictured here: Students from Kaitaia College with tutor Mel.

In June, we once again opened applications for our fantastic scholarship programme. This programme offers a number of full-time students attending ITC or Study From Home the chance to have up to $5,600 of their course fees completely covered by us.

This is our way of supporting both our hard-working students, and the industry we love that so desperately needs more qualified and passionate staff.

And so far, we’re over the moon to announce we have already awarded SEVEN scholarships to students. We had many excellent applications, but here are a few words from each of our winners so far about why they want to study with us and what their ultimate goals are. (more…)

Airport open day proves how important it is to study travel and tourism

Auckland Airport recently held a recruitment fair, where there were more than 3,000 jobs up for grabs.

In late July, Auckland Airport opened its doors in a massive recruitment fair. There were over 3,000 jobs up for grabs, and more than 4,000 people attended the event.

This recruitment fair was at just at the right time, only a day before the border finally officially opened fully once again. Much like the rest of the tourism and travel companies around New Zealand, Auckland Airport was looking to bring on new staff to get ready for the rush of tourists expected this summer.

Here’s a little more about the recruitment day, and why it means it’s such a good time to study travel and tourism!

Recruitment day at Auckland Airport

The Auckland Airport job fair was set up to showcase the many roles on offer at Auckland Airport.

There was a range of roles and careers available from more than 30 different organisations, which spanned everything from entry-level jobs to skilled trades, specialist roles, and jobs that required degrees.

Auckland Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui said that the airport is a fabulous place to work, and no two days are ever the same.

“With the reopening of the border, international travel is on its way back and everyone who keeps the aviation system running smoothly is looking for fantastic people to join their teams, including Auckland Airport,” she added.

How a travel and tourism qualification gives you a leg up

A qualification in travel and tourism can offer you a huge leg up over the competition when it comes to landing fantastic roles at the airport, or in other industry jobs.

ITC and Study From Home is one of the most well-known and trusted providers of qualifications in this field. And in fact, the CEO of a major airline recently told one of our students that ITC was the place to be to earn a qualification in the industry.

Whether you attended Auckland Airport’s job fair and missed out on a role, or whether you’d like to prepare for the next one, taking this time to earn a recognised industry qualification could be your pathway to the career of your dreams.

Many of our courses are just 20 weeks long, such as our New Zealand Certificate in Travel and Tourism with a stand in Aviation (level 3), so you’ll have a qualification in your hand before you know it, and job opportunities aplenty soon after.

With so many vacancies in the industry right now, and the busy summer season around the corner, there has rarely been a better time to give yourself the leg up you need to land a great role in travel and tourism.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you have about our courses, or to enrol and take the first step in your new career!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Want to be a flight attendant?

Thinking of becoming a flight attendant? ITC and Study From Home courses could help make your dream come true!

Being a flight attendant means travelling all the time, meeting new people, exploring new places, and being part of people’s incredible journeys and holidays. It’s no wonder so many people dream of becoming flight attendants here in New Zealand and around the world!

Many students who study with ITC and Study From Home go on to become cabin crew, so here’s a little more about how we prepare our students for these roles.

How studying with ITC can put you on the path to becoming a flight attendant

Earning a qualification in travel and tourism, such as our New Zealand Certificate in Travel and Tourism with a strand in Aviation or our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism & Travel will show your dedication to the industry, and gives you a solid foundation of knowledge in a range of topics you’ll need to know as a flight attendant.

This includes customer service, check-in procedures, international travel documentation, and much more.

Even though airlines don’t typically require qualifications in order to apply, it can give you a major edge over other applicants who have not studied travel and tourism.

Another major factor working in our graduates’ favours is the fact that we help our students to gain part time employment while they study with us. That means many of our students work in travel and tourism roles over the weekend (don’t forget, ITC is only four days per week, which allows our students time to hold down a part time job!).

Experience in a part time role that includes customer service is a huge benefit for anyone applying to become a flight attendant, as this experience is one of the biggest things any airline is looking for when employing new cabin crew.

Finally, studying with us means our Employment Consultant will work with you directly to help improve your CV, teach you tips and tricks for the interview process, and connect you with great potential roles in the industry. We are the only tertiary provider with a dedicated Employment Consultant for our students and graduates.

A shining referral from a major CEO

We offer our students the qualifications, experience, and support needed to work towards their dream careers, and we recently heard first-hand how effective that support really is.

In July, one of our newest students said the entire reason he signed up for the ITC course was because he met the CEO of a well-known airline who told him that ITC was the place to study to become a flight attendant.

It’s hard to find a better referral than that!

Of course, we work closely with many contacts in the industry, and they consistently recommend us to anyone looking to improve their career prospects in travel and tourism.

Try ITC through your high school

We have a fabulous opportunity for any year 12 or 13 student who would like to explore the wonderful world of a Cabin Crew member. This fun and engaging two-day short course is held in our Airport Training Centre and Aircraft Cabin on-site at our Central Auckland or South Auckland (Botany) Campus, and uses real on-board equipment.

This course offers 3 credits at level 3, and will help students walk away knowing what they need to work on to be eligible to apply to be a Flight Attendant. To find out more visit your careers department in school or email schools@itc.co.nz.

Or, you can opt for a level 3 course for a full qualification you can earn in just 20 weeks.

Find our more by booking an Info Session, call toll free 0800 868747, or email college@itc.co.nz.

Why right NOW is a great time to study

Now is a fantastic time to study travel and tourism from home.

Have you ever thought about earning a qualification? Or going back to school to start an exciting new career for yourself?

If the thought has ever crossed your mind, there has rarely been a better time to get started and study!

Here’s a little more about why now is the perfect time to study, and how Study From Home can help you earn a qualification from the comfort of your living room.

Why now is the right time to start

“The tourism sector could struggle to meet the lift in demand given the lack of available workers right across the economy, continuing limited access to staff from overseas, and the flow of young Kiwis heading offshore.”

That’s a direct quote from economist Brad Olsen, but not a unique statement in New Zealand right now.

It should come as no surprise that tourism and travel businesses are already short staffed, but we think things will only get worse now that the border is finally open, and that summer is on the horizon.

We’re already seeing this happen in Europe. For example, in Greece, it is said that there is a shortage of 50,000 workers out of the 250,000 needed to staff their hotels. That’s just in one country, in just the hotel industry.

That means, any learner in New Zealand who starts their studies right now will be graduating just in time to have their pick of practically any tourism job in the country. From hotels to airlines to adventure tourism, all areas of the industry are going to be in desperate need of qualified staff.

What will you learn by studying online?

Study From Home allows you to earn a valuable qualification in travel and tourism from the comfort of your own home. You can choose when you study and learn at your own pace, so you can fit it in around any current family or work commitments, and still get qualified.

We offer courses at level 3 as a solid foundation for any work in the travel and tourism industry, or you can consider a level 4 or level 5 course if you are looking to upskill further.

No matter which course you choose, you’ll graduate with a strong basic understanding of the travel and tourism here in New Zealand, with practical skills in communication, documentation, and more.

Whether you’re dreaming of working in a hotel or love the hustle and bustle of airports, it’s likely that by the time you graduate, there will be a number of fantastic jobs available to you – and employers will be more than excited to receive your CV with a qualification from our industry-renowned courses!

Our team helps to make this easier with an Employment Consultant who is on hand to help connect you to industry employers and assist with putting a CV together and going through the interview process. You can learn a little more about this process with our FAQs!

And the best part is, you can enrol and get started at any time. You could even do it today!

Fill out our enrolment form online right now, or get in touch with any questions you may have. We’d love to hear from you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

It’s too cold to go out – why not Study From Home?

The weather is making the outdoors very unappealing at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend your time wisely indoors!

As wind and rain batter at the windows and make it miserable to spend any time outside, many Kiwis are staying warm and dry indoors as much as possible this winter.

And if you’re stuck for things to do while you’re at home, or would like to spend this time as productively as you can, why not look into distance learning?

With Study From Home, you can take this time to earn a valuable qualification designed for the travel and tourism industry.

The best part is that you can start anytime! Our enrolment process is easy and we have incredibly supportive tutors and staff to help you along your journey to improving your career.

Here’s a little more about our courses and why they could be the perfect wintry project.

Study From Home courses

Study From Home offers courses at levels 3, 4, and 5. Typically, our students will begin with a level 3 course, such as the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3, which is an excellent introduction to the industry and offers a great foundation for those looking to find work in travel or tourism.

You’ll learn about cross-cultural communication, customer service, travel requirements and documentation, geography, New Zealand’s tourism industry, and more. Keep in mind, a lot of this information applies to other industries as well, so a qualification can be a good first step in any career that involves dealing with people and communicating.

Over the past few years, Study From Home has also been working hard to improve these courses and how students can learn. You won’t just be reading loads of textbooks, but rather taking interactive video lessons, taking part in online forum discussions, doing quizzes, problem solving with activities, and much more.

We know everyone has different learning styles, which is why we work hard to ensure the courses are as interesting and informative as possible, with plenty of support from our dedicated tutors.

Not convinced if learning online would you? Do a free Study From Home trial to see what it’s really like!

Why study now?

Since you’re indoors all the time anyway and it’s too cold and miserable to do anything outside, winter is the perfect time to start studying.

However, it’s also the perfect time to earn a qualification in travel and tourism, as the industry is starting to really boom after the pandemic. As this coming summer will be the first time New Zealand is properly open to the world in years, the entire industry is gearing up for an extremely busy tourist season – and companies around the country are desperately seeking staff.

If you study a level three course full time (30 hours per week), you can maintain a part-time job or other responsibilities and still graduate this summer, just in time to find employment straight away.

Also, if you enrol right now, you can also apply for an ITC Scholarship. There are several Scholarships to be given away, so get your entry in for the chance to win one.

So if you’re looking for something to do this winter, or are looking for a career change, take a look at what our courses offer, and get in touch today with any questions at all.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

It’s not too late to earn a qualification this year and graduate this summer!

It’s not too late to start studying – if you start now, you can earn a qualification by Christmas!

It’s mid-winter, and after the past couple of crazy years, there are plenty of young people around New Zealand wondering what to do with themselves.

If that sounds like you, you should know that it’s not too late to enrol in a course at ITC or Study From Home and earn a qualification – all in time to graduate this summer!

Here’s a little more about the course, what you’ll learn, and why ITC or Study From Home could be a great option for you.

The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel

The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel is a level 3 course, and if you’re looking at studying online, you can enrol and get started at any time. Note that the course starts on July 25 with our on-campus learning option at ITC.

This course is a fantastic introduction to the travel and tourism industry, and could be the perfect starting point for anyone interested in a career working in hotels, airports, travel agencies, tourist attractions, and more.

You’ll receive skills-based training that focuses on cross-cultural communication, travel requirements and documentation, customer service, destinational geography, and much more.

And while this course is focused on travel and tourism, it can also be an excellent option for study for other areas as well, as many of the skills you’ll learn – such as communication and customer service – can be a real asset for any industry.

The course is just 20 weeks long, so you’ll graduate in December, right in time for summer and for the incoming travel boom.

The course is open to anyone who has achieved NCEA level 2 or can demonstrate suitable literacy and numeracy skills. If you’re a first-time learner, it may also be covered by the Fees Free program.

Ready to enrol? Visit our enrol page now!

Why study with ITC or Study From Home

Right now, we’re seeing our graduates walk out the door with their qualifications, and get hired into incredible roles within just days. The travel and tourism industry is truly ramping up, and has countless job openings across the country, so there has rarely been a better time to be an ITC graduate.

We have two dedicated Employment Consultants who work with our graduates (even if you graduated years ago!) to help connect them with excellent positions in the industry. They are available to help with creating a CV, interview tips, and much more to ensure you get a foot in the door when you graduate.

Keep in mind, Study From Home is a fully online course, so you can study from anywhere in New Zealand from the comfort of your own home. You’ll be able to balance your time however it suits you, so you’ll be able to maintain a social life and a part-time job while you study.

Enrolling now – get involved!

We’re enrolling right now, and would love to have you on board with our small, family-like courses. You’ll be surrounded by people who are passionate about the industry, and who can help you make your way into an incredible job in travel and tourism.

Get in touch today if you have any questions at all.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

What the experts are saying is next for travel and tourism

What’s next in travel and tourism, according to experts.

We’ve spent months talking about why now is the time to study travel and tourism, and how the industry is on the cusp of a massive boom.

But why take it from us when there are experts around the world talking about what’s next for travel and tourism (hint: it’s booming!).

Here’s a little more about what to expect for the sector according to a recent World Economic Forum chat with leading experts Sandra Carvao, Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Liz Ortiguera, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Thailand (PATA).

Many people are focused on reconnecting

 When asked about the biggest travel trends right now, CEO Liz Ortiguera said that it was reconnecting. After two years of being separated from loves ones around the world, many people are taking trips to see friends and family again.

This feels especially true for Kiwis, who have quite literally been unable to travel to see loved ones overseas.

Travellers are looking for more sustainable travel options

Ever since the first lockdowns, sustainability has been a big talking point for the industry. How can we ensure we’re looking after the planet while we’re exploring it?

Sandra Carvao of the UNWTO states that this movement has been very welcome, saying: “Consumers, particularly the younger generation, are much more aware of the impact they have, not only on the environment but also socially and on the communities they live in.”

Community-based tourism is on the rise

“One of the positive impacts of the pandemic is that people are looking for local experiences and are spending more time with communities,” explains Sandra Carvao.

Liz Ortiguera backs this sentiment up by explaining that one of the key themes at a destination-marketing forum for the Pacific Asia Travel Association this month is community-based tourism.

The goal of the forum, she says, is to “put the community and authenticity-in-culture activities at the heart of the travel experience.”

This way, travellers get to enjoy a more authentic experience, the destinations are less crowded, and the community itself benefits.

The problem of labour shortages in travel and tourism

Both here in New Zealand and around the world, travel and tourism businesses are struggling to keep up with demand. With everyone suddenly travelling and exploring again, travel companies are desperately searching for qualified staff to help make those experiences happen.

Sandra Carvao put it bluntly, saying “labour shortages are a priority for the sector in countries around the world.”

Liz Ortigeura explained how the shortages in North America and Europe right now are having a real effect on the industry everywhere.

“If, for example, their air carriers are limited by staff and they have to cancel flights, which we’re very much seeing out of Europe, seating capacity then becomes a limiting factor in the recovery of Asia Pacific,” she said.

Be part of the boom

With labour shortages across travel and tourism right now, the time is right to earn a qualification and dive into almost any role of your choice. There are so many companies seeking qualified staff, that we’re seeing our graduates not just get employed straight out of college, but also get a range of roles to choose from!

If you’d like to kick off your career and be part of the recovery – all while studying from the comfort of your own home – explore our Study From Home distance learning options, and get in touch if you have any questions at all.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

7 travel and tourism industry insiders show their support for ITC scholarships

ITC has close connections with ZipTrek Ecotours – one of many industry brands that support our ITC Scholarships.

ITC and Study From Home scholarships offer learners the chance to have some or all of their certification fees covered by us.

There are multiple scholarships up for grabs, and all of them will help students to gain valuable qualifications that will help to get them fantastic roles in the travel and tourism industry.

And right now, the travel and tourism industry is absolutely desperate for qualified staff. We can see it in the number of open positions available, and simply by talking to our many industry contacts.

In fact, we recently asked some of our contacts about their opinions on our scholarships and what they mean for the industry. Here’s what some of them had to say.

Eve Lawrence, General Manager of Haka Tours & ANZ Nature Tours
“A campaign of this nature is greatly needed across tourism as our recruitment pool is becoming very shallow!!”

Sam Peate, General Manager of NZ Operations at Entrada Travel Group:
“Tourism is a dynamic and rewarding industry offering a vast array of amazing career pathways. At Entrada Travel Group we’re always on the lookout for talented and motivated people to join our crew, both in NZ and Australia. We’ve been working with ITC for a long time because we know how well-trained and prepared their students and graduates are: They are the training organisation that we turn to when there are openings available. We’re delighted to show our support for ITC’s scholarship initiative which will help the New Zealand tourism industry grow and thrive.”

Eliesa Fifita, Hotel Manager at Ibis Budget Auckland Central:
“ITC’s initiative of offering scholarships to encourage those to study and seek a career is crucial to the future and survival of our unique but fragile industry. We urgently need workers and ITC has consistently been able to provide year on year top and career driven students who are able to meet and exceed the needs of the industry. By offering this, many financial and preconceived barriers will be broken. This small hand up will open many opportunities to kick start career and rising superstars. I wholeheartedly support and wish great success in this initiative.”

Carol Mendes, Human Resources Manager at Cordis Auckland:
“ITC Scholarships are a great first step in a career into the amazing world of Hospitality! The market is full of opportunities at the moment, enjoy momentum to take a leap forward!”

Gavin Oliver, Managing Director of EcoZip Adventures:
“The New Zealand tourism industry is set to enjoy a significant resurgence. We need the next generation of talented tourism professionals and entrepreneurs to be entering the industry now, so they can lead the sector in the future. Having a pool of talented individuals who are passionate about the tourism and travel sector to draw upon is essential for businesses like EcoZip. As we continue to grow, and as the sector recovers from the pandemic, the need for people with a sound understanding of the principles of the tourism industry has never been greater. We value what ITC does and see ITC as a natural partner in our growth and development strategies. Because ITC are so adept at equipping their students with the genuine skills and practical knowledge they’ll need when the entre the workforce, ITC students seem to already be ‘ahead of the game’ when they join us; significantly lightening our internal training and induction responsibilities.”

Graham Trubuhovich, National Operations Manager at AJ Hackett Bungy:
“AJ Hackett Bungy has had a long relationship with ITC and over that time our crew and customers have benefited from the many ITC students we’ve had work with us. Their skills, enthusiasm and professionalism have added to our experience and to that of the wider tourism industry. We very much support ITC’s new scholarship initiative and look forward to working with many more of their graduate whanau in the future.“

Sam Holdich, Operations Manager at Weta Workshop
“The tourism industry is facing a critical skills and workforce shortage on the back of the devastating effect the pandemic had on the industry. With the industry restarting there is a unique opportunity for qualified tourism graduates to make a lasting impact on the industry, and a chance to help the sector rebuild. ITC’s Scholarship is a great initiative that supports in addressing the skills shortage and ensuring tourism is ready for the future.”

It’s not too late to apply for the ITC Scholarship

We’re supporting students looking to enter the travel and tourism industry, and by doing so, we’re also supporting the industry we’re so passionate about, and the industry that is crying out for qualified workers.

We’ve had a number of scholarship applications so far, but there are several scholarships available, so be sure to get your application in by the end of the July to be in the running.

And don’t forget, the scholarships are open to both ITC and Study From Home students!

You can learn more about the scholarship and how to apply on our ITC Scholarships page here.

ITC and Study From Home a proven pathway straight into the travel and tourism industry

Want to work in New Zealand’s vibrant travel and tourism industry? ITC and Study From Home can make it happen.

Right now, anyone with any kind of travel or tourism qualification in New Zealand is hot property. The industry is desperate for qualified staff, which is why we’re seeing our Study From Home and ITC graduates finish their studies with us and immediately land jobs.

In fact, right now it’s taking just one or two days for graduates to gain employment.

They haven’t even hung their qualifications on the wall by the time they’re accepting a job offer in the industry!

Feedback from recent graduates

When we asked recent graduates if they would recommend their ITC or Study From Home experience to friends and family, 100% of them said yes.

That includes all of the graduates who finished their studies so far this year in our Auckland City and Botany campuses, and all of those who studied online with Study From Home.

We also asked for their most outstanding experiences during their time with us:

• “The bonding and close relationship each student has amongst each other. However the amount of support and encouragement from both tutors and students was the most outstanding experience for me! If it wasn’t for their inspiring words I wouldn’t be here about to complete the course and gain my qualification.”
• “I’ve learnt so much about the travel industry, also it was a goal to meet new people from different cultures.”
• “The support from Take but also ALL other tutors and staff. It is amazing how ITC is a big family and I loved the support system here.”
• “Gaining more in-depth knowledge about the tourism industry and the impact it has worldwide.”
• “They’ve become my family”
• “How supportive the tutors are”
• “The knowledge I gained, the flexibility and adaptability of the tutors, school systems and processes, and the amazing time and tutoring provided by the tutors.”

How our qualifications get you a foot in the door

Right now, there are global talent shortages like the world has rarely ever seen, and job placements in the travel industry recently hit their second-highest level ever.

As we expected following the pandemic, the tourism industry is booming here and around the world. New Zealand travel and tourism employers are seeking qualified staff to help them get ready for a busy winter tourist season, followed by a huge summer tourism season later this year.

And we’re proud to see so many of our students graduate and start their first job in tourism within just a day or two of receiving their certificates!

Our Study From Home and ITC courses focus on giving students the real-world skills and knowledge they need to get started in the industry straight away. Our students learn about travel requirements and documentation, customer service, cross-cultural communication, and much more, giving them a great foundation in travel and tourism skills no matter what kind of role they are looking for.

If you’re looking to get into travel and tourism, Study From Home can offer you the qualifications you need to go from graduation to employment in just days, all through distance learning online. Get in touch to learn more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Visit ITC at the Go With Tourism Expo in Auckland!

Come and find our friendly team at the ITC stand at this year’s Go With Tourism Expo.

The annual Go With Tourism Expo is coming up again, and it’s set to be a big one with so many vacancies across the travel and tourism industry.

And of course, ITC will be there, and we can’t wait to meet you and stamp your passport!

The expo will be held from June 29 to July 2 from 10am to 3pm each day at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront.

What is the Go With Tourism Expo?

The Go With Tourism Expo is New Zealand’s only dedicated careers expo for tourism and hospitality. It’s a fantastic opportunity for those interested in the industry to see just how many jobs are out there and what kinds of careers are available.

You’ll meet a huge range of potential employers, as well as colleges such as ITC where you can earn qualifications that will give you a step up in the industry.

It’s a hugely fun and rewarding event for everyone in attendance. There are photobooths and cool experiences to enjoy, and the chance to network and create connections that could set you up in your future career.

Visit ITC at the Go With Tourism Expo!

The International Travel College will have a stand at the expo where you can come and chat to us about the qualifications and courses we offer that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to enter the industry with confidence.

Quite a few ITC students have volunteered to help out in a number of different roles at the expo, so you might be able to chat to a current student and see what the experience is like. Also, the ITC Employment Consultants will be there to discuss what opportunities are available to graduates.

We are also one of the ‘destinations’ you’ll need to visit to have your Tourism Expo passport stamped. Once you’ve stamped all of the stall destinations in your passport, you’ll be in to win special prizes!

Visit the Go With Tourism website to learn more about this fantastic event, or get in touch with our team if you simply can’t wait and need to hear more about our courses right away.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Catching up with Rhiannon Cribb: From graduation to employment with Air NZ

We catch up with Study From Home graduate Rhiannon Cribb, seen here on holiday at the Santa Monica Pier in the US.

Last year we introduced Rhiannon Cribb, the lovely Study From Home student who completed her qualifications while travelling around New Zealand.

We recently learned Rhiannon had secured a cabin crew role with Air New Zealand, and we couldn’t be more excited for her to land such a perfect job for someone who loves to travel so much.

When we asked how she found the job, she mentioned that while she had checked the ITC Careers page, she was committed to finding a role with Air New Zealand, so refreshed their careers website every night!

This page is a dedicated page just for ITC graduates and current students. It’s their one stop shop to finding a job they want during or after they finish their studies.

Here’s Rhiannon’s story!

Can you tell us the story of how you got the job at Air NZ?

Getting the job at Air New Zealand was tough and nerve wracking! I did my first application, and waited about the month to hear back, and then did two interviews!! The waiting period was the hardest. I spoke a lot about working in a team but being able to think fast and make critical decisions quickly by myself.

ITC takes pride in preparing students for interviews and are always there to support graduates if they need it during application stages.

Which parts of your time at ITC were most helpful in getting the job?

The role plays were perfect for gaining confidence. If you are not confident in what you’re doing, It’ll be hard for you if there is an emergency!!

ITC has an Airport Training Centre so that students do role plays in an Aircraft Cabin or at a Check-In Counter. This makes the experience authentic and prepares them for real life scenarios.

What are you most looking forward to once you get started?

I’m looking forward to seeing places I’ve never seen before and probably wouldn’t think to go!

When students do ITC’s level 4 Certificate, they start to explore destinations around the world an some of the highlights to see as a visitor. This means they can advise customers they speak to appropriately and also look forward to visiting these amazing places as a tourist themselves!

Do you plan to continue your travels whenever you’ve got the time? Where’s on the list?

Yes definitely! My next trip is planned for USA! Then Bali hopefully next year!

Rhiannon is the perfect example of someone who simply loves to travel, and wanted to turn that passion into a career – and now she has! Her Study From Home qualification (that she earned while travelling) helped her to get an amazing position with Air New Zealand.

If you’d like to create a career out of your love for travel, get in touch with us today to find out more about our distance learning qualifications.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Apply now for your chance to win an ITC Scholarship!

Study From Home is offering scholarships for a number of lucky students. Enter now to be in to win.

ITC and Study From Home have just opened up applications for some amazing scholarship opportunities!

With the New Zealand Tourism and Aviation sectors currently unable to find enough skilled workers, ITC is helping people with a passion for joining the Travel & Tourism industry gain first-class skills and knowledge.

ITC and Study From Home are giving away multiple scholarships for full-time students, which are worth up to $5,600 per student. Not only that, it’s also on top of the Fees Free program, so you could have the first part of your study covered by Fees Free, and the second part partially paid for by a scholarship!

Here’s a little more about what a Scholarship entails, who is eligible and how to apply.

What does the scholarship entail?

The ITC Scholarship will pay for up to $5,600 of your course fees if you win. It all depends on the courses you apply for, as the scholarship is for the value of 50% of one full course when you enrol in two or more courses at ITC.  Imagine saving that much money on studies? You can use those funds to start travelling straight away!

The Scholarship is applicable for full-time study only, but it can be with either ITC or Study From Home. And importantly, it is awarded upon successful completion of the final course.

For ITC, the Scholarship is a way to support young learners into the industry we care about so much. Travel and tourism has rarely been in such dire need of new talent, and we know that right now, our graduates are walking straight into positions in the industry thanks to the qualifications they earn with us.

Who is eligible to apply?

 If you enrol for full-time study with ITC or Study From Home right now, and are either a New Zealand citizen or have been a Permanent Resident for at least three years, you are probably eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

You must begin your first course before Monday 29 August 2022, and you must have applied for the scholarship before the end of July 2022.

However, if you were already enrolled prior to June 1 this year, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply at this time.

Please carefully read through our full terms and conditions to learn more about application eligibility, and other terms that come with being awarded this scholarship.

How do I apply for the Study From Home Scholarship?

It’s super easy and won’t take you long! To apply, simply fill out the ITC Scholarship application form here.

Be sure to fill out this form as soon as possible and if you need any help, our friendly team are here to help you! If you are successful in getting to the second stage, we’ll let you as soon as possible. The second stage involves an information session and a chat with the team to discuss your study options.

If you have any questions at all about the scholarship or ITC courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

How blended learning helps make the impossible possible

Blended learning involves a mixture of online and in-person learning, making it possible to finish a qualification in an emergency.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past couple of years, it’s that being flexible is an excellent asset. It means you can quickly adjust when life throws a curveball at you, and carry on with minimal disruption.

That’s just one reason why the blended learning of ITC and Study From Home works so well when there’s an emergency that stops you from being able to continue studying in person.

What is blended learning?

 Blended learning is when you can complete your qualification by enrolling for in-person classes with ITC, but move to our online study platform when there’s an unexpected event or emergency that stops you from studying in person.

For example, if you want to sign up to ITC and join us at one of our campuses in Auckland, South Auckland, or Whangarei, you can enrol for the campus nearest you and start studying.

However, if life has other plans, and you need to temporarily study remotely, or study remotely in order to finish your qualifications, our Study From Home platform can make this possible.

Note that blended learning is only available in case of emergencies, and not an option for those who enrol with Study From Home and but want to switch to on-campus learning.

The best of both worlds

The possibility of blended learning can give students greater confidence that they will be able to finish what they start.

This has proven to be true during lockdowns, when our students seamlessly switched from in-person learning on campus to online learning with little delay to their studies. While much of New Zealand ground to a halt, ITC and Study From Home students continued to earn valuable qualifications thanks to blended learning.

But this is also true for many students who have had their plans disrupted. We have seen students start studying in person and move to our online courses after becoming pregnant and needing to juggle the demands of appointments and health needs, such as the case of Veronica Maihia.

We’ve seen students switch to online learning after unexpectedly moving away from their local campus, and many other scenarios where Study From Home has made it possible for students to graduate even when their original plans were disrupted.

Would flexible learning benefit you?

If you know you want to study with ITC, keep in mind that if something happens that would stop you from studying in person, you could temporarily or permanently work with Study From Home to complete your qualification.

Talk to our team today about how it all works and your options for studying online or in person.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Catching up with Shania Wheatley: A Covid whirlwind with a happy ending

Graduate Shania has had a whirlwind few years, all with a fantastic happy ending!

ITC graduate Shania Wheatley has had an incredible journey.

We first interviewed her in 2017 when she landed a job on a cruise ship and lined another up to work at Disney. But so much changed just a couple of years later that we interviewed her again, and found her back in NZ working in an isolation facility.

Now in the wake of Covid, Shania has made another big move – and a big lifestyle change! Her journey is truly a whirlwind, but it has a happy ending.

Here it is in her own words.

On her time working at a Covid quarantine hotel

I was so excited about Chateau even though it was a quarantine hotel!! What a memory!

It was rough working there with all the rules then Omicron entering NZ and developing etc. I am yet to get Covid – a forever ending game of tag!

I left Chateau due to the pressure and isolation I felt from being face to face with Covid every day. At the start I felt super safe, but as variants became apparent and rules changed, my family and friends didn’t want to see me due to the risk. So I started to feel that pressure to make sure I didn’t bring it into the community.

On finding a new job

I then saw a travel agency was hiring for a casual call centre contract, booking vaccinations, answering questions for the general public and doing health assessments on those who call with Covid, and putting them through to clinicians for medical advice.

I saw that role advertised on Seek and I wasn’t going to apply, but did screenshot it on my phone so I had a copy of the advert and contact details. A week later the advert had disappeared from Seek but I thought I’d shoot my shot and send an email anyway. I did and I was offered a full-time hours casual contract that basically had no end date due to Covid not having an end date.

At the same time as applying for that role, the same travel agency was also hiring for a Domestic travel consultant – they wanted someone experienced but I applied anyway with no luck (this was in July 2021).

During my time with Healthline/ the Covid vaccination line, I was offered a promotion to supervisor. I made it known that I wanted to impress my managers as they were high up in the travel industry, and sometimes it’s who you know not what you know. So the more connections I was able to build the more chance I had at coming out the other side with a possible agency role.

Anyway, I got a promotion and became a supervisor in-charge of a group of six, where I did quality reviews of their calls, provided training and feedback and also was there to support them with some tricky calls.

On an unexpected surprise

Then out of the blue the travel agency manager – the one who I had emailed in July 2021 for a domestic travel consultant role – offered me an informal interview for potential opportunities she had coming up in the company. She had either remembered my name or seen my work though Healthline as she managed that too.

So I met with her and the direct manager for the groups and events department, as they had a position available for a Groups and Events Consultant. The next day I received an email saying I had got the job!

It was perfect timing as our contract with Healthline and the Ministry of Health was ending April 30^th, and the start date for this new role was May 2nd.

On what she learned from the whole experience

Some things I learned from this experience have been:

1. Of course depends on the situation, but always make it known known if you want to gain the attention of a certain company/person in the industry. You never know what connection your manager, tutors or friends have.
2. It can be who you know, not what you know.
3. Work hard, you never know who’s watching.
4. Everything happens for a reason!!

On finding the silver lining to the Covid cloud

I know Covid has badly effected so many people. However Covid is probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

I was diagnosed with a heart condition I was born with, which had been effecting my everyday life. I was able to have the surgery to fix it without it effecting any work. I moved to Christchurch, lost 50kg, and had the opportunity to rebrand myself – I had connections in Auckland but building those here in the South Island has changed the game to get to where I am now.

For recent tourism graduates – YOUR TIME IS NOW! before Covid, companies wanted people with experience, but now they know that if they are going to get people it’s going to be beginners, and they will train them from the ground up so it’s the most amazing time to be in tourism!

I’ve always said tourism was the first to be effected but will also be the first to recover!

On getting a leg up in tourism with qualifications

As Shania points out, your connections in the travel and tourism industry can make a huge difference to your job prospects!

That’s why ITC takes pride in continuously building and using our industry contacts and partnerships to give an abundance of opportunities to our graduates. It’s hard to beat having industry recognised qualifications that can get you a foot in the door with countless industry employers around New Zealand and the world.

 Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more about our courses and where they can take you.

 Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Why now is the time to study travel and tourism

Now is the perfect time to study travel and tourism with Study From Home.

New Zealand has officially opened its borders to travellers from visa-waiver countries, signalling that we’re once again receiving tourists. And we’re not the only country to take this step back to normality – countless nations around the world have found ways to open up to tourists safely.

As a result, the travel and tourism sector is growing at an incredible pace, with operators around the world seeking to hire new talent.

As expected, there has rarely been such a good time to study travel and tourism, earn an internationally recognised qualification, and start on an exciting new career path.

Here are just some of the news stories coming out from around the world showing just how in-demand anyone with a tourism qualification is right now, and will be in the foreseeable future!

Global tourism to recover from pandemic by 2023, post 10-year growth spurt

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that the tourism industry has been projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Not only that, but it will also grow at an incredible rate, and create a whopping 126 million new jobs around the globe.

Speaking about the Asia-Pacific region specifically, the WTTC said the hospitality industry is likely to outstrip its earnings from 2019 in 2023, showing that even though tourism will continue to build this year, it will reach new heights again next year.

This is fantastic news for anyone looking to study in 2022, as by the time they graduate later this year, they will likely have their pick of jobs. This is especially true as it will be the first summer that New Zealand is open to tourists.

Tourism has potential to play a major role in global pandemic recovery

The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently highlighted policies that could help tourism to play a major role in helping the world economy to recover from the pandemic.

These policies were decided by a group of tourism specialists, including representatives from 86 governments, and covered a range of guidelines such as finding ways to make tourism more sustainable, and investing in the development of a skilled tourism workforce.

The report mentioned that before the pandemic, tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs worldwide, which is why it can be such a big part of the world’s recovery now that tourism and travel are back on the cards.

Cook Islands tourism industry desperate for workers

From the start of May, the Cook Islands removed more barriers to entry for tourists and travellers, signalling that more people are welcome to visit and enjoy what this beautiful place has to offer.

However, the tourism industry there is already desperately seeking workers to help manage the influx of visitors.

Business Director Steve Anderson said there are currently approximately 700 vacancies for jobs in the Cook Islands, and another expert said there are businesses that are operating with just skeleton staff for now.

For those who have always wanted to work in tourism in a beautiful island location, the Cook Islands could be a great option in the very near future!

Earn your tourism qualification from anywhere – starting today

Just because you can’t physically attend a campus to study, doesn’t mean you can’t get a qualification. Study From Home offers distance learning options for anyone in New Zealand to gain a recognised qualification online, some of which you could finish within just 20 weeks.

For example, you could enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 3, make a start today, and finish well before Christmas (if you study full time, which is 30 hours per week), all without ever setting foot on campus!

We truly believe now is the perfect time to start studying, and Study From Home can help you get a qualification in tourism that will give you a leg up in the industry.

Get in touch today to find out how you can enrol right now, and where a qualification might take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel Level 5 – ENROL NOW!

Get started in travel and tourism by enrolling in the Level 5 diploma now.

The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel is a one-year, level 5 course that sets students up with the basic skills and knowledge they need to kick start a management career in the industry.

During this fast-paced qualification, students will learn about marketing, strategic planning, research, human resource management, finance, information technology, and legislation. It’s a lot to cover, but it offers an excellent, industry-recognised qualification in a very short space of time.

And now is the time to enrol!

Benefits of the diploma for study

There are a number of benefits you can get by studying the level 5 diploma.

This diploma qualification can help you enrol in another bachelor programme, not limited to a tourism education programme.

ITC is caring and catering to meet individuals needs appropriately, thus students are more likely to become successful in academics, such as getting awards.

Benefits of the diploma for work

When it comes to work, the level 5 qualification will give you more options to get a job, including the one which requires the higher qualification.

And since the tourism industry lost many middle-management positions due to the pandemic, you may have a better chance of getting promoted to a management level, together with your qualification.

Students can develop various skill sets, and all are transferable to other areas of work. It means they will learn faster, communicate better, will be less likely to make mistakes, and will be more resilient in workplaces.

Through this diploma, students also learn more about the work and career options in tourism, and gain a better understanding about the tourism industry as a whole.

Benefits of the diploma for personal development

The diploma is challenging, and students will often make mistakes during the course – then learn from them. This encourages resilience and experience with fixing problems.

Through this course, students become more self-disciplined and will become better at self-management. They learn how to communicate better with their family, and gain more self-confidence as well.

Of course our amazing tutors make the journey fun and interesting, and students make life-long friends as they help each other during the course.

What tutor Takeyuki Morita has to say about the diploma

“In Level 5, we have several assessments for self-reflection, asking about what you want to achieve in the future, how you should make a plan, what makes you actually interested, in study and business-wise.”

Level 5 student Sinead McDonnell recently took a closer look at how accessible tourism and travel is in New Zealand, and interviewed a NZ paralympian for her project. You can read about it here!

“So, through the study in level 5, students will know more about what they will want to know – find out their inner-space and inner-goals.

Kathleen, an ex-student, is a good example. She had some challenges in level 4, then she became interested in tourism through level 5 study, and she found out that the accommodation business looked interesting! Then she started level 6 study in the SIT, and now she is taking a double-major; Bachelor of Hotel Management, and Bachelor of Commerce.

She said she is successful in both studies. She is working for two jobs at the same time in Invercargill, including the Pacific Island Advisory Trust in which she supports the education and welfare of the children with Pacific heritage.”

Enrol in level 5 now

You can enrol to study the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel and get started right now, either with ITC at our Auckland City Campus, or via distance learning with our online option, Study From Home.

Get in touch to find out more, or to enrol today!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Looking up to incredible female role models in travel and tourism

ITC and Study From Home’s CEO Claire Huxley is an amazing role model for students.

ITC is very much a reflection of the travel and tourism industry. While it’s true that we have male and female students, it’s also true that women in the industry can struggle to juggle a career and a family.

But times have changed, and it’s no longer accepted (or acceptable!) that a woman’s job is to stay home and be a mum when she wants a career. Our graduates are heading out into the world with industry-recognised qualifications and are well prepared for stellar careers in travel and tourism, and the team loves nothing more to watch as they go from success to success.

As well as watching our own graduates succeed, we love keeping an eye on incredible female role models in the industry.

Meet LeeAnn Yare

LeeAnn Yare is truly an inspiration. This Kiwi pilot flies 777s with Air New Zealand, but she’s also a mum, an interior and food stylist, and an author.

This is a woman who shows the rest of us that it’s possible to do all the things you want to do and be all the things you want to be.

In an article for Stuff discussing how the aviation industry needs more pilots, LeeAnn spoke about how she loves seeing more women take to the skies, but that progress is slow.

“When I started out in the industry, around 30 years ago, around 3 per cent of the world’s airline pilots were women. That number is now roughly 5 per cent.”

She also spoke about how when she started flying, she would often hear an outdated trope that ‘if girls were meant to fly, the sky would be pink’. But these days, she’s seeing much more encouragement from colleagues and the industry for women getting started in the profession.

“As I get to see more than my fair share of beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the best office window in the world, I can honestly tell you the sky is often pink, and I will take every opportunity to snap and share that, because if I can inspire just one young woman to become a pilot then I am succeeding.”

The women of ITC

And let’s not forget some of the amazing women within ITC.

ITC CEO Claire Huxley

Claire has faced plenty of challenges in her career and has risen to the occasion every time. She has lived, worked, and travelled all over the world, and ITC is lucky to have her skills and experience at the helm.

Last year, Claire offered 12 essential pieces of advice for graduates.

These included gems such as never hiding from your mistakes, always moving forward, and making connections everywhere you go.

She’s a woman who has made her way through an inspired career in travel and tourism, and offers much more than 12 pieces of advice for others to learn from.

Claire is backed by a team of amazing women. Here are just a few and their proudest achievements!

Karen Houston – Founder and Consultant of ITC

Karen has an extensive background in international tourism, starting out as a tour guide and overseas agent in Spain and North Africa, before taking up a UK based position as Regional Trainer for Thomson Holidays, Europe’s largest tour operator. Over the following 15 years Karen progressed to Reservations Manager and Regional Manager before taking up the post of General Manager based in London.

A career move back into training and education for the travel and tourism industries led to the set up of her own training consultancy business. Operating in the UK and Europe Karen gained extensive experience and qualifications as a professional adult educator.

After moving to New Zealand Karen set up the College in 1996 with other business professionals. Founded on principles of business excellence the College continues to attract quality staff and students seeking the best that New Zealand industry training can offer. Karen is a leading spokesperson for the industry.

Mel Jenkins, Marketing Manager

After leaving school early, gaining her tourism qualifications she reached her dream career at Air New Zealand. Now she is ITC’s Marketing Manager and manages the schools team. Mel wanted to achieve something big so she could share her story with others and be a role model for her own 4 children, so she chose to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, a 42.2km run on Mount Everest. After training and dedication, she landed in Nepal to begin the acclimatisation process and a trek to Base Camp (where the marathon begins).

With limited oxygen and icy tracks, it was a huge physical and mental challenge. Of course, it didn’t come easy as she was meant to complete this a year prior after the event was cancelled due to a devastating earthquake. She re-focused her energy on training another year and raising over $5,000 for those in need. She’s now sharing her story and message to not sell yourself short. You can achieve anything you want to. You cannot possibly just sit and wait for the impossible to happen without a little hard work.

She says ‘you cannot make diamonds without a little pressure’. You need to prepare, work hard or train and participate.

Irena Wysoczanski – Academic & Quality Manager 

As a 10 year old, working in her immigrant father’s fish and chip shop after school, Irena learned the art of customer service… little did she know that it would take her on a lifetime journey of learning. Some achievements include – Flight Attendant to Cabin Crew Training Manager for Air New Zealand, delivering Cabin Crew Management Papers at Massey University, helping her manager start a new PTE at Air New Zealand, and more recently, instead of retiring, two years ago at the age of 66 took on the challenge of Academic & Quality Manager for ITC to learn more about the continuous improvement and compliance required of a PTE. Her biggest achievement? To never stop wanting to learn…

Become your own inspiration

Study From Home allows you to balance study with work and home life, ensuring you earn a valuable qualification even with everything else going on. With distance learning, you can take the first step into a new career and become your own inspiration in life.

Take a look at our learning from home options and get in touch today to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Read the inspiring speech shared for a recent ITC graduation by an industry leader

Haka Tours General Manager Eve Lawrence recently gave an excellent speech at an ITC graduation.

Eve Lawrence is the General Manager for Haka Tourism Group, where she runs Haka Tours, NZ Snow Tours, and ANZ Nature Tours. Naturally, she is an incredible role model for anyone aspiring to work in the tourism industry.

She recently shared the speech she wrote for our graduates.

With her permission, we are sharing some of the highlights of her speech, so you can enjoy her pearls of wisdom about tourism, travel, and making a career out of something you love!

Eve’s graduation speech for ITC

Firstly I would like to congratulate each and every one of you for successfully completing your NZQA level 4 and 5 diplomas in Tourism & Travel Management.

I know from personal experience just how tough these last 2 years have been, not only for myself, but for each and every team member, employee and business leader in the tourism ecosystem. Leaders today are leading in a world moving through crisis and disruption—where challenges have no known solutions, and where there are solutions, there are far too many pathways and very few clear ones.

Much like the grieving process, the covid process has come with stages.

Stage 1 – Disbelief

• Disbelief that global travel could shut down
• Disbelief that our revenue could go from 21 Million to ZERO overnight
• Disbelief, that the whānau many businesses had built had to be dismantled to keep the business alive
• Disbelief that we weren’t able to see family members or friends
• And most of all, disbelief that we couldn’t be with sick or dying loved ones in their hours of need

Stage 2 – Denial

• Denial that lockdown would last very long
• Denial that we had to let go of some of our whanau permanently
• And for some denial, particularly from New Zealand, that covid was even happening

Stage 3 – Acceptance & realisation

• The realisation that covid was here to stay
• The realisation that we weren’t going to get our whānau back quickly and that we were going to be operating, as a business on near to zero revenue for potentially months to come
• And the realisation from team members and employees in the industry that they may lose their jobs in the coming weeks and months

Which spurs on and leads to…

Stage 4 – The hustle

For a business, this is perhaps the most important phase in any journey of resilience, and certainly the stage that separates those who lead from those who follow.

This is the stage that has ensured the survival of our business. Working together as a leadership team, we ensured the survival of Haka Tourism Group, in the same way many others have secured the survival of their businesses for the future.

Ryan, our founding director, sold 3 accommodation properties, leased another property to the govt as a Māori wahine refuge, and also found a new majority shareholder for our Touring Brands. I focused on our environmental and community partnerships and built a range of new active products with our Aussie partners Intrepid to try and target the domestic market just to keep our touring brands in the black.

These things combined have ensured the survival of all our Haka Tourism Group businesses.

Which leads me to…

Stage 5 – The rebuild

Now it may not seem so to you now, but I can assure you that you will be joining the tourism and travel industry at possibly one of the most exciting times in history. Never has there been a better time to consider a career in travel and put all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during your education to good use.

There are a few things I would urge you to consider whilst embarking on your journey into our sector moving forward.

As an industry we are working harder than ever to become more regenerative, work more effectively with our communities and really engage our manuhiri in our Maori culture. Upskill yourselves on environmental initiatives, our Maori history and what tourism businesses are doing to contribute in these areas.

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate. This is something industry leaders don’t do enough.

Collaboration divides the task, but multiplies the successes, and going forward, people who can think through problems and who are collaborative are more important than ever.

For decades the business landscape had rewarded leaders who delivered exceptional short-term performance within their role and parameters. And for decades, the traditional business adage was that economic and social value could not be maximised at the same time.

But this current climate has underscored one resounding truth: we can no longer operate in an either/or world. We are leaders of ecosystems, and leadership is no longer confined by boundaries.

Organisations will need agile Enterprise Leaders — executives who know how and when to perform and transform in today’s complex world, not just in their own business vertical, but horizontally, across the broader business and industry ecosystem, people who value creativity, transformation & those who are adaptive. You need the capability to not only THINK, but to execute.

I strongly encourage you to think like Enterprise Leaders and to do this you need to consider these key questions:

• What kind of societal needs does your business intend to meet?
• What impact does your business desire to generate?
• Who will you partner and collaborate with?
• What is your purpose? What holds our ecosystem / sector together?
• How does the business position itself within the ecosystem?
• How are values created and shared amongst the ecosystem?

Our industry is going to need young, fresh talent now more than ever. So break the boundaries, think differently and express your opinions, because you deserve to be heard.

As you move forward through your careers, If you remember one thing from this speech, remember this; Leadership is an action, not a position.

Become part of the industry

“Now it may not seem so to you now, but I can assure you that you will be joining the tourism and travel industry at possibly one of the most exciting times in history.”

If Eve’s words make you feel like now is that time to join the industry, it’s because it is!

You can start studying any of our five incredible course options anytime with Study From Home. Check out our course options here.

Enrol now or get in touch to find out more!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Enrol now to be in to win an incredible Auckland tourism package!

You could win an incredible Sky Jump (and more) by enrolling now!

Have you been considering enrolling with Study From Home, or suggesting to a friend that they should enrol?

There has literally never been a better time than right now, because anyone who enrols between now and May 20 will go into the draw to win a phenomenal prize package in Auckland!

The Auckland tourism package

By enrolling with Study From Home right now, you’ll go in the draw to win this package:

• Sky City premium room for two, a super spacious room with your choice of a California King bed or a twin room with two double beds. Valued at $288
• Two Sky Jumps, to jump off New Zealand’s tallest building at 192 metres! Calued at $337.50
• Nine holes of mini golf at New Zealand’s best mini golf venue Holey Moley for two. Valued at $36
• $60 Food & beverage voucher at Dr Rudi’s, a gorgeous third-floor restaurant overlooking Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
• Total value $721.50

And if you’ve already enrolled? You can still earn an entry by getting a friend to enrol by May 20!

This incredible prize is worth over $700, and could be the perfect way to launch your studies in travel and tourism with us.

So what are you waiting for? Enrol with ITC right here, right now.

You can learn a little more about the Auckland experience here, and check out our few Terms and Conditions here.

Why enrol with Study From Home?

Aside from getting you into the draw to win this incredible prize, there is a huge array of reasons to enrol with Study From Home and start studying for a valuable qualification in travel and tourism.

Here are just a few:

• Flexible online learning that works around your schedule
• Extremely supportive staff dedicated to helping you achieve your qualifications
• Two Employment Consultants dedicated to helping you find a role in the industry
• Study From Home is an approved Fees Free provider
• ITC and Study From Home have established ties with tourism operators around New Zealand
• A variety of qualifications to work towards

If you have any questions at all about enrolling, our course options, or this prize package, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Studying from home while you work: How this former student made it happen!

Susan Afoa is the perfect example of someone who proves it’s possible to study while you’re working.

Last year, we introduced the wonderful Susan Afoa. This hardworking graduate began at ITC many years ago, completing her Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates in Travel and Tourism before going on to find a job in the industry.

We were then delighted to welcome her back to ITC – this time as a tutor!

But never one to rest on her laurels, Susan has now not only completed her Diploma in Business online, but done so while working (and all while being a busy mum!).

Susan is particularly inspiring, and she proves how it’s possible to study from home while working. She has continued to do an incredible job at work as she earned a highly valuable Diploma in Business, and we think she’s the perfect example of how distance learning can fit into the busiest of lifestyles.

We had to chat to Susan about how she juggled it all. Here’s what she had to say. (more…)

It’s time to get involved in travel & tourism!

Travel and tourism is recovering here and around the world.

We’ve been saying it for a while now, and the time is finally here – tourism and travel are making a big comeback as New Zealand begins reopening the border and the world returns to some normality.

We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening here and around the world and seeing countless businesses searching for skilled employees. We even have more job openings coming through than we have graduates right now, making it the perfect time for passionate people to get qualified and make a start in the tourism industry.

Here are just some of the news stories we’ve seen about the comeback recently.

Air NZ goes on cabin crew recruitment drive to gear up for border reopening

We’ve seen several of our graduates sign employment contracts with Air New Zealand recently as the airline has been massively ramping up its recruitment as the country prepares to open its borders for the first time since early 2020.

Almost 200 cabin crew that were on temporary agreements have just switched to permanent contracts with the company, and it continues to seek out more cabin crew staff for some of its regional routes.

That’s great news for anyone looking to get into a career as a flight attendant or airline worker.

Employers lure talent with flexible hours in tourism job boom

 The Australian tourism market was impacted much like New Zealand’s and is now seeing a similar boom as the borders have reopened, the bubble is about to get off the ground again with New Zealand, and people start to travel again.

That’s why employers are seeking new staff – and trying all sorts of things to find skilled workers.

Hotel and hospitality group Accor has estimated that it needs to add 15% more personnel to its workforce based on early bookings for 2022, meaning that it will be looking to hire approximately 1,200 new staff. They’re offering on-the-job training, career development, and more flexibility to help fill those roles.

With so many businesses looking for new staff, we won’t be surprised to see more of them offering similar additional perks for employees.

Get ready for a major travel and tourism recovery this year, new study says

New modelling from the World Travel & Tourism Council has projected that travel and tourism in the United States will outpace pre-pandemic levels this year.

If the estimates prove to be correct, the industry is expected to generate 6% more income than it did in 2019, signalling a huge return to normalcy – and growth – in the international tourism market.

The report also added that globally, travel and tourism is expected to contribute $8.6 trillion of economic activity this year. That’s still a little down from 2019, but getting much closer to growth overall as the whole world gets back on track.

Time to get studying

Whether you look at the travel, tourism, and aviation market here in New Zealand, over in Australia, or around the world, the industry is once again starting to boom.

As it continues to grow, businesses are going to need skilled staff to fill roles all over Aotearoa and the world.

Does that sound like you?

Study From Home is flexible

Study From Home lets you earn valuable qualifications from the comfort of your own home, and is flexible enough for you to study even while you hold down a job as well.

Get in touch if you have any questions at all about our distance learning courses or what kind of jobs they could get you.  Need to know more before you decide? Don’t forget to check out our ‘Whanau Portal’ for more up to date tourism news.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

We’ve been saying this for months – Tourism needs you!

Tourism needs you now!

For months and months, ITC has known that the tourism industry will need recruits to meet demands.

With the tourism boom around the corner, we certainly have seen an increased need for employees. Our Employment Consultants have been working really hard to support past students and it’s paid off for our recent graduates!

We knew that as soon as the border restrictions started to loosen, every tourism employer in the country would be looking to hire new staff and get ready for the inevitable rush of visitors who have been looking forward to getting to New Zealand ever since we closed our borders.

It’s our little ‘I told you so’ moment, and we couldn’t be more excited that it has finally arrived.

Recent graduates spoilt for choice

Recent graduates from the past year or so have been absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to finding jobs in the industry.

In fact, there have been more jobs coming in than graduates coming out.

Our two Employment Consultants have been exceptionally busy helping ITC and Study From Home graduates find and apply for fantastic roles throughout New Zealand, and we’ve seen endless successes from our graduates.

Here are just a few of the roles that have been filled by graduates from the past year:

• Bridge Guide at AJ Hackett
• Travel Consultant for Air New Zealand in Auckland
• Guide & Customer Service representative for the All Blacks Experience
• Customer Service for Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown
• Boat Host for Southern Discoveries
• Team Lead for Rydges Resort
• Cabin Crew for Air New Zealand (several roles)
• Customer Service for Air New Zealand (several roles)

How our new Whanau Portal can help you & your family decide if ITC and Study From Home is right for you

If you’re unsure about studying at ITC and jump starting a career in travel and tourism (or if your family isn’t sold on the idea!), we’ve created a webpage to help you make an informed decision.

It’s called the ITC Whanau Portal, and it’s filled with information about us and the industry that you’ll need to know to make your decision.

We explain what makes tourism a safe career choice, how you can go about finding employment once you graduate, and how ITC has established ties with tourism businesses that helps secure positions for our graduates in the industry.

You’ll also find information on what makes ITC so special, and how you’ll be able to study but also balance that with life or even a part-time job.

So take a look through the Whanau Portal and get in touch if you have any questions at all about studying with ITC, working in tourism, or getting a job once you graduate.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Michelle Newsome: ITC’s newest team member!

Michelle Newsome has recently joined the ITC Schools Team, bringing with her a wealth of travel knowledge and experience.

Michelle Newsome is ITC’s newest team member, joining the Schools Team as a Tourism Educator.

And it only takes a moment hearing about her background or her passion for the industry to see why she’s the perfect fit for the role.

From the historic sites of Europe to nomadic safaris in Queenstown, Michelle has seen (and worked) it all. So we sat down for a quick introduction.

What does your travel industry history look like?

I’ve been working in tourism in a variety of roles for the past 10 years. I started out as a trip leader for Topdeck in Europe where I led and guided coach tours of amazing young people around the continent.

I absolutely loved that job, it required a balance of high energy and enthusiasm, knowledge and organisation to keep everything running smoothly. I am a bit of a history nerd so being able to show off the beautiful historic sites of Europe was a dream job for me.

Back in Aotearoa New Zealand I have used those skills learnt overseas to show off my own stunning country.

I became a Driver-Guide for Wellington movie tours and later Nomad Safaris in Queenstown which gave me the opportunity to fully embrace my love of the Lord of the Rings films.

After a year at Flight Centre, which opened my eyes to the sales and reservations world behind the tours I had been running, I jumped at the chance to work for one of the premium tour companies operating here in Aotearoa, Australian Pacific Touring (APT).

I was still working out on the road for them as one of their senior guides when lockdown was announced in 2020. Since then I’ve kept busy working in operations and reservations for a coach transport company.

How will your experience help support students?

I hope that my industry experience can really help show the students the kind of opportunities that are available and the amazing possibilities that are out there for those looking to make a career in tourism.

Being a tour guide requires enthusiasm and the ability to relate to and connect to others. I would love to bring this into the learning environment here at ITC and give the students the support they need to succeed, and hopefully even continue with their studies here at ITC.

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Working in tourism requires so many skills that are transferable from and to other careers.

Customer service is surely the main one, without that you won’t get far.

Being willing and able to help people, be open to new ideas and patient in dealing with people. Passion and enthusiasm for what you’re doing is super important, it shines through when you enjoy your job and that excitement is contagious.

What’s next for tourism industry?

The tourism industry is at a really challenging yet exciting stage, as this pandemic has forced those in the industry to re-evaluate the direction we are heading.

I think while the borders are closed to international visitors it’s a great opportunity to focus tourist experiences on the local market and cater towards those exploring their own backyard.

I hope that when borders open those resilient companies that have worked through this tough time will present visitors with a new and refreshed product offering something different in an innovative way or from a fresh perspective.

What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

This is a great time to look at entering the tourism industry and gain a qualification which can lead towards a great career.

Moving forward, employers will be looking for workers with experience and knowledge, and a qualification in tourism will really give a prospective employee an edge – so go get studying!

The best advice I can give is to get experience in customer service, any job to go along with study. Retail or hospitality work will give such a good base to add to in any future tourism job.

My background before entering the tourism industry was in retail where you learn to interact with a wide range of people and gain excellent communication and people skills.

Start your journey in travel and tourism

Are you ready for an incredible career that takes you around the world like Michelle has done? Do you want to work for some of New Zealand’s coolest attractions?

ITC and Study From Home offer the first step on that path – an industry recognised series of qualifications that will help to get you a foot in the door at countless travel and tourism providers around New Zealand and the world.

Get in touch today to hear about our courses and where they can take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Introducing Victoria Whittaker: ITC and Study From Home’s newest course advisor

Victoria Whittaker is ITC and Study From Home’s newest course advisor, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the industry.

ITC and Study From Home recently welcomed Victoria Whittaker to the team. She’s a keen traveller with years of experience in the industry, and she has just started working as a part-time course advisor.

Between her experience, passion for travel, and love of sharing all of that with the next generation looking to enter the industry, she’s the perfect person to help guide our students through their studies.

We had a quick chat with Victoria to learn more about her career in tourism and travel, what she thinks are the most important skills for graduates these days, and where she thinks the industry is headed next.

Welcome to the team! Can you tell us a little about your history working in the travel industry?

It’s great to be onboard with ITC. I started working in the travel industry in 1999 when I landed my first job with Air NZ as ground staff at the Blenheim Airport. It was fantastic, great bunch of people, I got to know the pilots, and the baggage guys were great, it was a real joy going to work.

Even got to meet Sean Fitzpatrick!! (All Black legend).

After 6 months in this role, I had an opportunity to apply for cabin crew with Air NZ. This was the role I had always dreamed of, so I went for it. Unbeknown to me when I went for my interview that the role was for International Cabin Crew which was even better. I started this role later in 1999, I met my now best friend on my training course.

I flew for 6 years in total, 4 years out of Auckland and 2 years out of the Air NZ London Base at Heathrow. It was always about the feel good experience for the customer, as most of the people on our flights were going off on exciting holidays, or away for business, so it was always important to make sure that their whole experience was a wonderful one.

How do you think that experience will help you support students?

I enjoy sharing my experiences, and I will always have time for any student who wishes to learn more, and seeks advice.

What do you think are the most important skills anyone can have in the travel and tourism industry?

Kindness, patience, and a need to want to give the best service. I think you need to have a real passion for this industry and if you do, this will really show.

What do you think is next for travel and tourism?

I think travel and tourism will come back even bigger and better once we learn to live with Covid. People who love to travel are itching to get back out there, and our young people of today will be really ready to spread their wings. I don’t think, well, I hope that these last 2 years hasn’t put people off travelling. It certainly hasn’t put me off.

What’s your best advice for students looking to get into the industry right now?

Set yourself a goal, keep focused on it, work hard and when you land your dream job, have a good work ethic, and just enjoy every day. If you can find a job that you love, then it’s not really a job.

Are you ready to be part of the team and learn from Victoria? It’s never too late to get started at ITC and Study From Home. Get in touch to find out more about our courses and how to enrol today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet Brooke Robinson: The high-flying graduate who recently landed a job with Air New Zealand

Brooke Robinson is a keen traveller and ITC graduate who recently got a job with Air New Zealand.

Brooke Robinson is one of ITC’s lovely Christchurch graduates who graduated in late 2019. She completed both her Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates with ITC and attained Distinction with both.

Not to mention, she was also awarded the academic excellence award and was one of the student representatives for her class during level 4 as well.

Brooke grew up in a travel-loving household with both parents in the industry, and was always interested in following in their footsteps. After graduating ITC, she spent a year working in real estate, but always wanted to get back to tourism, so recently applied for a role with Air New Zealand – and landed it.

So of course, we interviewed Brooke to learn more about her new job.

Congratulations on the job! Was it always a dream to work with an airline?

I had always had a keen interest in working for an airline but I didn’t really know which part of an airline I would most want to work in.

While studying at ITC you learn about a roles throughout the industry you never would have known about. Working ground crew for an airline was definitely something that piqued my interest and I was fortunate enough to complete my 1 week work experience placement during Level 4 with Plane Biz, which is a Christchurch company who has contracts to complete check in, ground operations, loading and more with a lot of major overseas airlines such as Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

It was during this week that it solidified for me that this was in fact the job I see myself doing in the future. Since then I have worked hard to ensure I have the skills and experience to land the role when the opportunity presented itself.

How was ITC (and the lovely Nicky) involved in helping you get the role?

When you finish at ITC, they never forget about you! There is always ongoing support for you from ITC well after you graduate.

Nicky kept me in mind when new jobs were advertised and I was always checking the ITC Jobs Facebook page too. When I saw this role, I emailed Nicky and she helped me look over my CV before I submitted my application. She also sent a letter of recommendation on behalf of ITC to go alongside my application. The ITC workbooks were also a great help for preparing for my interview too so be sure to keep those and review them when you head for an interview yourself!

What will you be doing for Air New Zealand?

My position with Air New Zealand is a Customer Service Agent at Christchurch Airport, which comes with a variety of duties and responsibilities.

What are your ultimate career goals? 

While studying, this is the role I saw myself in in the future and with everything that has happened over the last 2 years, I am very thankful that this has been possible for me.

For now I am very happy to be where I am but perhaps in a few years’ time, if the opportunity came, I would love to continue to grow within Air New Zealand and potentially transfer to other airports around the world to continue to deliver the exceptional Kiwi service while experiencing other cultures and cities at the same time.

Do you have any advice for current and future ITC students?

My advice would be to put yourself out there and enjoy the journey. The time you have with ITC is invaluable and you will learn an incredible amount from the tutors, other students, guest speakers and the course material. Be sure to ask questions, build and maintain positive connections and have fun!

Ready to fly high like Brooke?

Brooke is a fantastic example of what you can do when you have a goal and keep working towards it. The team at ITC is so excited to see her succeed, just as we love supporting any of our graduates into industry roles.

If you’ve got your sights set on the tourism industry, ITC can help you get there. Get in touch to find out more about our courses – or to find out how to enrol!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Now hiring: 8 incredible travel and tourism jobs

Looking for a job in travel and tourism? Here are 8 amazing opportunities available only to ITC and Study From Home students and graduates right now.

Are you passionate about travel? Driven and ready to learn? Ready to enter one of the most exciting industries in the country?

The travel and tourism industry is looking for you!

There are countless incredible roles available in the industry right now, and with the right qualification from ITC or Study From Home, as well as application support from our Employment Consultants, our graduates are perfectly placed to land some of these phenomenal roles.

Which of these current job listings sound like you?

Cabin crew – Jetstar

Jetset with Jetstar in this cabin crew role. It’s part-time and based in Auckland, which could be the perfect opportunity for someone to get a foot in the door while finishing their studies. And don’t forget, many part-time roles can lead to full-time positions.

Aviation Security Officers

Auckland and Christchurch Airports are both currently on the lookout for qualified Aviation Security Officers. Auckland Airport is also looking for a load & queue assistant. For those looking for a career in aviation, this is the perfect starting point.

Milford Wanderer Crew Member – Discovery Expeditions RealNZ

There’s something truly magical about the Milford Sound, and not only can you enjoy it for yourself for a two-week-on and two-week-off roster, you can help others discover it as well as part of the crew of the Wanderer. This candidate must be a real team player and something of a jack-of-all-trades who can do everything from assist with food preparation to guiding guests on activities.

Front of House agent – Sandspit Holiday Park

Sandspit Holiday Park is a picturesque holiday park in Rodney, where guests come to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and beaches. This Front of House agent will need to be friendly, welcoming, and helpful, and for the right person, this full-time role may even come with accommodation.

Guest Services Host – Kelly Tarltons Sealife Centre

Who loves travel and tourism and the ocean? This part-time position is ideal for friendly candidates who are excited by sealife and want to share it with visitors. This is a job that’s all about fun, but also comes with amazing perks such as free access to attractions and volunteer days to give back to social causes.

Flight attendants – Jetconnect

Jetconnect is looking for flight attendants to be based in both Auckland and Wellington in full time roles. ITC and Study From Home courses specifically focus on offering the skills and qualifications you’ll need for these roles, and our Employment Consultants can offer you advice and support as you apply and go through the interview process.

Branch team member – Jucy Rentals

Do you love road trips? Do your friends always come to you for the best advice on where to stop and what to do? This full-time branch team member role in Auckland needs someone excited to be part of the full customer experience, from ensuring all rentals go out in top condition, handing over the keys, and offering your best New Zealand road trip advice.

Visitor Hosts – Hundertwasser Art Centre

Whangarei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre is one of New Zealand’s underrated tourist attractions, and it needs passionate staff to help welcome tourists on site and ensure the best customer service possible. This part-time role would be ideal for anyone with a special interest in art, and for those looking to become hosts in the tourism industry.

Of course, these are just a handful of the incredible travel, tourism, and aviation roles available right now. There will be more a week from now, and plenty of new opportunities once you have graduated with ITC or Study From Home qualifications that will give you a leg up in the industry.

And that’s not even mentioning the countless opportunities available all around the world.

If you’re a current student or recent graduate looking to get started in the industry, take a look at these opportunities and more on our Current Job Vacancy page. These vacancies are only available for ITC and Study From Home students. With study options available right now, why not become one today?

If you’re interested in working in these kinds of roles one day, but don’t yet have the qualifications to apply, consider studying with ITC or Study From Home to earn industry-recognised qualifications from tutors who are just as excited about the industry as you are.

Take a look at our available courses here or get in touch to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Turn your summer adventures into an incredible career

Roy’s Peak is one of New Zealand’s best tourist attractions. Can you imagine making a career out of helping others visit places like this?

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to everyone! We hope you’re out enjoying the beautiful New Zealand summer and everything that has to offer, from fish’n’chips on the beach, to Great Walks, to awesome sightseeing and tourist attractions.

It’s the best time of year to get out and explore our backyard, and while you’re at it, why not consider turning this sense of fun and exploration into a lifelong career that’s as rewarding as it is enjoyable?

Study for a career in tourism and travel with ITC

From Hobbiton to the AJ Hackett Bungys, whale watching, and relaxing hot pools and spas dotted around the country, New Zealand is brimming with fantastic tourist attractions. And as a leading provider of tourism and travel qualifications, we’re proud to say that we have graduates working in many of these attractions across New Zealand (and the world!).

ITC offers industry-recognised travel and tourism courses at level 3, 4, and 5.

These courses run from just 20 weeks to two years, allowing you to pick up a qualification quickly and get straight to work, or take the time to earn a higher-level qualification and take a step up in your career goals.

All courses are NZQA accredited, are approved for student loans and allowances, and some students are eligible for the NZ Fees Free program.

Working in travel and tourism

To work in travel and tourism is to have an exciting career that’s always changing, always rewarding, and always fun.

All of our tutors at ITC have some kind of industry experience, so they’ll be the first to tell you the benefits of this career, and will help you work towards your goals in the industry.

Additionally, ITC employs two Employment Consultants, who work with current students, recent graduates, and even graduates who have left ITC years before to find roles in the industry. They can help find new opportunities and work with you to improve your CV and fine tune your interview skills.

Right now, tourism is gearing up and getting ready to boom once borders reopen and things start returning to normal. We’re already seeing an increase in available roles for qualified employees, and we know that’s only going to grow once things truly get up and running again.

That means, if you make a resolution to earn a qualification now, you’ll be graduating right as tourism takes off – setting you up to step straight into an amazing role in our favourite industry.

So if you’re keen to enrol while putting your feet up over summer, you can by heading to: https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/enrol/

Or to find out more about our qualifications, how we help graduates find roles, or which course would be best to help you reach your goal, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We’ll be back in the office in the New Year and can’t wait to hear from you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Graduate interview: Meet Jack Persen, who recently landed a role with Air NZ!

Study From Home graduate recently landed a role with Air New Zealand.

Jack Persen earned his qualification with Study From Home, then set out to find a role in the industry – ideally in aviation.

Our team of Employment Consultants worked with Jack and encouraged him to apply for a Customer Service Agent role with Air New Zealand in Hamilton. Jack very nearly got the job but only just missed out, and clearly Air New Zealand were impressed, as they called him back to apply for a different role instead.

That’s why this summer Jack will be working with unaccompanied minors as they travel around New Zealand, a fantastic first role in the industry and one that is sure to quite literally take him places.

We received wonderful news after this amazing opportunity that Jack has been offered a permanent role as a Customer Service Agent with Air New Zealand.  He starts his new role on the 7th February 2022.  We are so pleased he still got tp his dream job.

We had a quick chat with Jack about his time with Study From Home and his unaccompanied minor role.

What was your favourite thing about Studying From Home? 

My favourite thing about studying from home was the flexibility of being still able to work part time and study when I am not working. I did also enjoy having fun and supportive tutors to work with.

How did you find out about the job you’ve applied for?

I found out about the role after they had told me that I wasn’t successful in the previous job I had applied for. Air New Zealand rang me a couple of days later offering me a different position which could lead into the role I had originally applied for.

How have you found the process of application with Air NZ? What has that been?

The process with Air New Zealand has been easy. The process started off with them ringing me to offer me the role. Once I had accepted the job, there were multiple security and health checks that I had to do which were very easy and organised by Air NZ.

How has ITC supported you with the application process?

ITC supported me with helping with my CV and also giving me helpful advice with the process of application and heaps of information about the job itself. It helped give me confidence when going through the interview process.

Do you have any advice to help inspire anyone else deciding to enter into tourism or aviation?

Follow your goals, stick to what you are doing and always put 100% effort into whatever it is. It will pay off in the end.

Working in aviation

Jack won’t be the only one getting a job with Air New Zealand this summer, as the Auckland border comes down and we look ahead to open borders for the whole country, the entire aviation industry is gearing up and hiring huge numbers of skilled staff.

In fact, Emirates recently launched their hunt for more than 3,000 cabin crew and hundreds of support roles – and that’s just one airline!

If you’d like to work in aviation, now is the time to earn a qualification so you’ve got the skills and knowledge to start a job with Air New Zealand like Jack, or any of the countless airlines around the world seeking staff right now.

Take a look at the qualifications you’ll earn with Study From Home, and get in touch with the team to find out more about enrolling!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Student interview: Meet Desiree Paul, the student scoring record-high grades while studying from home

Desiree at the airport with her siblings before flying to Australia.

Desiree Paul is a level 5 Study From Home student who completed levels 3 and 4 with another provider, then switched to ITC (and loved it!).

Recently, Desiree completed an assessment as part of the level 5 diploma, and received the highest grade ever given for that assessment. Needless to say, her work ethic and enthusiasm have shone through and greatly impressed her tutors and everyone on the Study From Home team, so we decided to have a quick chat with this star student.

Here’s a quick interview with Desiree about her time with Study From Home, taking on level 5, her career goals, and more.

What made you decide to get your qualifications with Study From Home?

I chose to study from home because I like the idea of being able to study on my own time. I also focus and get work done better when I am in my own space. The other reason I chose to study from home is because it allows me to do house chores when I am having a break.

You’ve already completed levels 3 & 4, so why was level 5 important to you as well?

I have always been really passionate about all aspects tourism, so as soon as I started studying tourism I decided that I would go to the highest level of studying I can. I also would like build my skill set and information.

We heard you recently received the highest grade ever on a certain paper. Was it an area you’re particularly interested in?

Wow, I’m so happy to hear that. Yes, workplace management and human resources has always been an interest of mine. I first found an interest in Human Resources when I took tourism as a class at high school.

How have you found the experience of earning qualifications from home?

I absolutely love it, being able to study in my own space and in my own time is amazing. I also love ITC, the content of the study material is interesting and really informative. I love the activities as well I find them fun but at the same time helpful.

What are your career goals once you graduate?

Once I graduate I would like to go and work on Hamilton Island, either in human resources or as a conference and events manager. I became interested in Hamilton Island when I started level 4.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention or share?

I’d like to thank ITC for this amazing opportunity I have to study with them. I absolutely love studying with ITC.

Desiree shows just how much you can achieve while studying from home. Is that something you’d be interested in? Get in touch with our friendly Study From Home team to find out more about the qualifications you can earn online, and how you can get started as soon as you’re ready!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

NEW Study From Work launch: Flexible online qualifications for professionals

Study From Work offers professionals flexible online qualifications.

Today we are announcing our launch of our brand new self-directed learning platform and industry led qualifications with Study From Work!

These qualifications are not focused on just travel and tourism, but on professional skills and knowledge that can offer benefits for any career or business wanting to upskill their team.

Here’s a little more about this exciting new development.

What is Study From Work?

Study From Work provides NZQA-accredited personal development qualifications for professionals looking to develop their skills and knowledge, and ultimately further their careers.

These qualifications come in the form of ‘micro credentials’, which are smaller, focused qualifications that target skills development.

For example, the first credential available through Study From Work is a ‘Human Resources People and Culture’ micro credential, which offers 15 NZQA credits at level 5 (which is diploma level). In the course, you will learn about the legislation and regulations relevant in New Zealand workplaces, the main functions of human resources, demographics and social change, and much more.

These courses are available online for any professionals to take in their own time, from the comfort of their own home or in the workplace. The courses are comprised of a combination of video lessons, exercises, tests, and activities, making learning interesting and interactive, rather than a basic read-and-answer format.

The HR, People and Culture micro credential is available now, and there will be more micro credentials available soon.

Responding to industry needs

Over the years, ITC has offered workplace training. Many of these have been successful, and each one has been met with genuine enthusiasm from New Zealand workplaces.

That’s because the demand for flexible, online study for New Zealand employees is huge.

Randstad’s 2021 Employer Brand Research found that ‘good training’ is one of the top five attributes that attract them into a job, which means that workplace training programmes can help to attract and retain staff for employers. Additionally, one in four Kiwis said they were planning to upskill for post-covid employment, which means that plenty of professionals are also looking for their own opportunities to upskill.

Especially now, learning online and upskilling for career advancement is more relevant, achievable, and useful than ever – and we already have the systems and support in place to make that happen for professionals all over the country.

These credentials have been selected specifically to fill the needs of workplaces, but also to be able to apply to a vast range of careers and roles, ensuring that any professional can benefit from learning online.

This personal development will no doubt help staff retention, give value to employees, help quickly upskill staff and give opportunity for growth in the company.

ITC has long been a leader in the online qualification space for students, and now Study From Work will offer the same fantastic online portal and support services, but with a focus on providing level 5 qualifications to anyone already in the workplace.

If you’re interested in upskilling your workforce, or making the decision to upskill yourself, take a look at the Study From Work online options, and get in touch to find out more.