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

Posted on 07/12/2022 by

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.

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Meet your Study From Home team

Posted on 24/08/2021 by

Study From Home’s friendly team

When you earn your travel and tourism qualifications with Study From Home, you’ll spend your time in front of your laptop at home.

However, you’ll still enjoy the support and guidance of our Study From Home tutors, just like you would if you were studying in person. This close-knit team works hard to support our students as they move through their coursework, and will be there for advice, help, and motivation every step of the way.

Interested in learning more about your Study From Home tutors and team? Here’s a brief introduction!

Toni Young

Toni Young is the newest member of the Study From Home team, joining the crew in early 2021. Before that, she lived in Australia and the UK, and worked as a travel agent, a teacher, and for an airline and event management company.

No two days are the same for Toni. She might be working in Teams Assessment with a group of students, on a Zoom meeting with a student overseas, marking students’ work, or working on developing new course content. She sees her role as encouraging, motivating, facilitating, and counselling students.

“Their success is our success and we have lots of processes in place to help make this happen,” she explains.

Her favourite part of the job is seeing students achieve their qualifications and start their dream jobs in the industry, and her advice to students considering studying for a career in tourism and travel is to simply do it.

“There is no better time to be studying towards your travel and tourism qualifications. The industry needs qualified and motivated students and with this qualification you will be ideally placed to enter the exciting world of travel and tourism.”

When Toni isn’t helping and motivating students for Study From Home, she can often be found on the ski fields near her home town in Christchurch.

Joy Carter

Before becoming a Study From Home tutor, Joy spent almost 10 years teaching at the ITC Botany campus, so she has extensive experience with travel, tourism, and aviation courses. Prior to her work with ITC, she spent more than 10 years selling travel holidays.

Her days are always busy; doing roleplays with students, marking student coursework, responding to queries, and checking in on student progress. She helps to update and improve resources as well, but no matter how busy she is, “we are never too busy to have a chat with our students,” she says.

She knows that some students may need a hand with technical issues, and loves to help explain tricky terminology or clarify certain questions whenever students get stuck. But her favourite part of the job is getting to know the students, sharing their journeys, and celebrating their successes.

She says that for students considering studying online with SFH, the trick is to have plenty of support.

“Let family members and friends know that you are studying and the hours you have committed to. They probably don’t realise, and you may need them to help out if you encounter challenges along the way, such as a change of routine or sickness,” she said.

Joy’s no stranger to travel herself. She has been to many places over the years, but on one particularly memorable trip to Papua New Guinea, she and her husband and young daughter experienced a real culture shock. They were advised to lock themselves in at night, and on New Year’s Eve, the police came through their backyard chasing a “rascally”!

Lynelle Panton

Lynelle’s background is all about travel. She has worked in leisure travel, in hotels, for rental car companies, and even as a corporate travel consultant at American Express. That’s when she joined the ITC team as a campus tutor, before moving across to the Study From Home team where she is also a tutor.

As a part-timer, Lynelle juggles her work with SFH with her home life, where she’s full-on with three kids. She loves that she can spend time with her children after school and help with their activities, while still working in an industry she loves so much and knows so well.

When asked what she does to go the extra mile for her students, Lynelle explained that going the extra mile simply goes hand in hand with the travel and tourism industry, so it’s important to do that from the start. This can mean doing roleplays outside of normal hours, meeting students to help with assessments, and working with students one-on-one. She loves the work, and especially so when she sees the results and added confidence in the students.

“You can see them blossom after they have had that little bit of extra help,” she says.

For anyone considering signing up with Study From Home, she says that if it’s something you really want to do, then don’t let anything stop you. She recommends using the tutors who are there specifically to help – and they want to help.

Her favourite part of the job? Seeing students grow.

“A lot of students don’t realise how much they change from the start of the course to the end. It’s not just a knowledge thing – when you have learned something you gain confidence… and obviously I love to see them get their qualification and start working in the industry!”

And if you ever have a moment, be sure to ask Lynelle about her time working at a winery. She did the usual tasks such as wine tastings, but she would also occasionally jump in the ute with the dog in the back, then drive up and down the rows of vines banging the car door and getting the dog to bark like mad to scare away the birds.

Andrew Houston

Andrew began as a tutor for the Botany Campus five years ago, but he has since worked as the Tutorial Team Leader, and is now the Botany Campus Manager and Study From Home Manager. His work with Study From Home is backed by a long career in tourism and travel, where he worked in aviation security, and for Air New Zealand and Flight Centre.

His role is incredibly diverse. He supports the tutorial, recruitment, and student services teams for the Botany Campus, and the entire Study From Home Team. He even still teaches some diploma subjects and plays an important role in developing new course materials and resources.

Recently, he has been heavily involved with creating new interactive activities, video lessons, and enhanced subject guides for Study From Home students. Andrew, and the entire team, consistently work to make improvements for a better learning experience for everyone.

“I also empower the team to look for creative solutions to assist students who are facing personal challenges whilst studying,” he adds.

His favourite part of the job is seeing students start working in the world’s most exciting industry, and his advice for anyone considering study is to check out the Study From Home Free Trial, which gives you an idea of the style of learning you can expect as a student.

When he’s not busy with ITC and Study From Home work, Andrew is working on his fitness as he gets ready to run the Queenstown Marathon in November.

Ready to meet the team for real? Get in touch with us to hear more about our distance learning options, to enrol, and to meet your new Study From Home tutors!

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

 

 

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An influx of available roles sees many ITC and SFH students find industry work

Posted on 23/06/2021 by

An increase in industry demand for qualified workers has seen more ITC and SFH graduates find work.

With hope, excitement, and relentless positivity, we’re looking ahead to a spring and summer that are bustling with tourism as New Zealand opens bubbles with Australia and the Cook Islands.

And it’s not just us preparing for greater numbers of travellers in the months to come.

Countless tourism and hospitality businesses around New Zealand have started hiring new staff to cater to the crowds.

Here’s what we’re seeing in terms of new roles coming available, and what we’re celebrating in terms of ITC and SFH graduates filling so many of them.

Tourism industry roles that have opened up

Ceri Jenkins, ITC Key Stakeholder Manager, highlighted just some of the roles that have come available in the past six weeks.

These include:

Full Time

  • Entrada Group – Customer Service Representative
  • Wilderness (Smart RV) – Customer service /sales administrator
  • Jucy – Customer Experience Consultant
  • Cordis – Housekeeping Attendants
  • Cordis – Event Sales Executive
  • The Loop Duty Free – Retail Sales
  • Seassonz – Inbound Tour Operator
  • Parkside Hotel and Apartments – Receptionist
  • Scenic Hotel Group – Heartland Hotel and Airedale Suites – Room attendants
  • Ezi Car Rental – Customer Relations Agent
  • ATS Pacific – Wholesale Travel Consultant
  • Cordis – Receptionist
  • The Loop Duty Free – Sales Advisor
  • Jucy – Customer Service


Part Time

  • Cordis – Reservations Sales Agent
  • Avis/Budget Group – Vehicle Service Agent
  • 27 roles at SkyCity hotels
  • Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands – Receptionist
  • Grand Mercure Auckland – Guest Service Agent
  • Heritage Hotel – Reservations Agent
  • Scenic Hotel Group – Porter
  • Nelson Airport – Customer Services Representative
  • All Blacks Experience – Guide and Customer Experience Representative
  • Rainbows End – Cleaners, Catering, Ride Attendants and Entertainment staff Adrenalin Forest – Adventure Park Instructor
  • Menzies Aviation – Baggage Handlers
  • CAA/AVSEC (CHC) – Load Assistants
  • Sudima Hotel – Guest service Agents and Food and Beverage attendants
  • Avis Budget Group (Chch) – Vehicle Service Agent
  • ITC – Course Advisor
  • Hertz – Instant Return Representative
  • Cordis Hotel – Cody the Mascot/Ambassador

Ceri went on to explain how ITC’s involvement helps give graduates a leg up when searching for industry roles.

“Our students have to be ready for employment, and because of the connection and ongoing communication with students, graduates and employers through ITC’s Employment Consultants, we can provide this support in applying and getting their CV direct to the employer. Our quick turnaround gives our students the best chance at taking any role advertised as some employers’ expectations are to fill these roles within 3 days of advertising!”

ITC and SFH students finding industry work

With so many fantastic roles coming available around New Zealand, and our Employment Consultants Sarndra and Nicky working hard to help connect graduates to those roles, we’re seeing plenty of our students gaining employment.

Here are just a few examples of recent hires:

  • Sky City Hotel – Night Porter
  • Go rentals – Customer ambassador
  • Sky City Casino  – Table Games dealer
  • Moa Tours – Internship
  • Air NZ Koru Lounge Christchurch – Lounge Assistant
  • The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, USA – Pool Server through the IWH (International working Holidays) program
  • Air NZ – Casual Customer Service Agent in Whangarei
  • Menzies – Baggage handler
  • Helloworld – Billing consultant
  • Best Western International (Ellerslie) – Housekeeper
  • Oronga Bay Holiday Resort – Front Office
  • Jucy Snooze – Housekeeper and Front Office
  • Go Holidays – Finalisation Consultant
  • Sky City Casino – Table Games Dealer
  • Skyline Rotorua – Luge Operator

Additionally, there are numerous graduates and students in the process of applying for roles, or who are already in the interview stages, so we only expect the number of hires to increase.

If you’d like to be part of the wave of ITC and Study From Home graduates finding work in this blossoming industry, now’s the time to begin your studies. Get in touch today to find out more about our courses.

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

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How to make your winter a productive one

Posted on 01/06/2021 by

Ready to get productive this winter? Consider studying for a career in travel and tourism from the comfort of your own home!

The nights are getting darker and the days cooler, and today is officially the first day of winter.

Why not take those chilly nights and frozen days and get productive?

We suggest studying from home and earning a fantastic tourism and travel qualification (and potential new career) by the time summer arrives. Here’s everything you need to know!

Study From Home for an industry-recognised qualification

Study From Home is the online, distance learning option for the International Travel College of New Zealand. You get all the same great courses in travel in tourism, but you can study from the comfort of your own home from anywhere in the country.

With Study From Home, you can complete the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism at Level 3 or the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation at Level 3 within just 20 weeks – or 40 weeks of part-time study. Or, you can even opt for the New Zealand Certificate in Travel at Level 4, and complete it within 21 weeks of full-time study.

And if you’re ready for Level 5 and looking to move up the career ladder, you can study the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel, which you would be finished by this time next year.

All of these qualifications are well respected within the industry, and will have you graduating by summer with a certification that can help to land you a role within the industry just in time for the peak season.

Why choose Study From Home?

Aside from the fantastic qualifications on offer, there are multiple reasons why Study From Home is such an excellent option when considering distance learning.

Of course, you can study from wherever you are, so you don’t need to live in – or commute to – a major city, or even deal with getting to and from college every day.

It’s an ideal option for those with work or family commitments, as you can study in your own time. For those looking to study part-time, you only need to set aside 13 hours per week for your course.

These courses are designed with different learning styles in mind, and created to be engaging and informative. This means you won’t be stuck reading pages and pages of dull coursework over the winter, but working your way through an interactive and supportive learning system.

We recently launched a trial portal, so you can try it out now!

Finally, earning a qualification with Study From Home means you’ll have our full support not just during your studies, but after as well. Our team is always on hand to respond to any questions and share their advice, and our dedicated employment consultants offer a lifetime of support for graduates in helping to connect you with a role in the industry.

Here are a couple of examples of recent feedback we have received from students:

“I’m very excited to have finished…I just want to thank you for all your support and advice….it certainly has been a journey, but a very rewarding one.”

“Thank you so much for working alongside me – it has truly been such a help”

Get productive this winter

Interested in earning a qualification in tourism by peak season this summer? Get in touch with us today to find out more about our courses, your study options, and where it all might take you.

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

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Meet graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan: A sparkling career in travel and tourism

Posted on 06/01/2021 by

Graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan is enjoying an exciting career in travel and tourism.

We’re welcoming in a bright new year at Study From Home, and what better way to do that than with an interview with a past graduate?

Aishwarya Rangarajan graduated with ITC back in 2008, and has since found a sparkling career in travel and tourism. We love hearing about our incredible graduates and keeping in touch as they make waves in the industry in in New Zealand and around the world.

Here’s a little more about Aish’s time studying travel and tourism, what she’s doing now, and her advice for current students.

What is your current role and how is it going?

I am currently working as a New Zealand Sales Executive for Qatar Airways. In a nutshell, it’s an account manager role which is extremely exciting as I deal with New Zealand travel agents from all brands and all walks of life, helping them promote and sell Qatar Airways as a number one choice of airline for all customers travelling to predominantly Europe and Africa. It’s a very rewarding role and I love it. Through work, I have travelled to many exciting destinations which I probably wouldn’t have otherwise such as Qatar, Hungary, Austria, Melbourne, Germany, Netherlands, Wales, Ireland just to name a few.. and in Business Class!

What made you decide to study travel and tourism?

I was always very interested in Tourism since high school and was openly looking for options where I can further that interest but didn’t want to get stuck being amongst 300 students. I came across ITC, thoroughly researched everything they offered and felt they stood out from the rest, so I decided to give it a go and attend. ITC provided the support the students needed to excel and I really feel they genuinely care.

How did our courses prepare you for your career?

ITC was a great stepping stone into Travel and Tourism that gave an outlook on what to expect in many aspects of the tourism industry in New Zealand and abroad. It provided me with basic skills which high school didn’t teach at the time which was customer service, team work, presentation skills and boosts confidence level as you learn to work with people from all cultures.

Graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan is enjoying a fantastic career in travel and tourism.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Find a job as soon as possible (within the industry if you can) while you study – even if it is temporary, voluntary or an internship!!! I cannot emphasise on this enough. No job is big or small as all of them with entail some skills you will use once you graduate and will stand you out from the rest when employers begin to look for ideal candidates to join them. Often students will expect to come out of a college or a university and wonder why it’s taking them so long to find a job in the industry.

When I started studying, I found a job as a customer service agent for InterCity Coachlines (now called the Entrada Group) selling domestic tours, and transfer tickets. The employer explained to me that she hired me because not only was I studying but I was already working at Hells Pizza and McDonalds prior to that which showed that I had transferrable skills such as Customer Service, Multi-tasking ability, Cash Handling and will soon have the tourism knowledge through the course I was studying. It stood me out from someone who was applying with no work experience at all. So please, find a job (trust me on this).

How do you think the industry will recover in the coming months/years?

NZ is working on some travel bubbles in the next couple of months. Everyone is making an effort to make the travel bubble open soon as possible. Airlines have started flying back to New Zealand and domestic tourism is now stronger than it’s ever been with more Kiwis exploring their own backyards than ever before. Although a long recovery journey – there is definitely a glimmer of hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

What are your future career plans/goals?

My career plan is to continue working and growing in this industry – and when opportunity arises, I would like to eventually become a mentor / tutor at a travel college so I can share my experience, knowledge in order to help more students prepare, grow and have an exciting career as I have in the travel industry.

 

If you can see yourself following in Aishwarya’s footsteps and entering the world of travel and tourism, consider enrolling with SFH. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

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

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The tourism industry needs you

Posted on 26/11/2020 by

The tourism industry is crying out for skilled and qualified staff. Right now is the perfect time to enrol with Study From Home and start an exciting career in the industry.

This is a message for anyone who is considering studying for a career in travel, tourism, or aviation in 2021.

We need you!

Or more specifically, the industry needs you!

Why the tourism industry is crying out for skilled staff

It has certainly been a tough year for everyone, the tourism industry perhaps most of all. However, we’re already seeing an increase in domestic tourism, and with so much positive news surrounding covid-19 vaccines, it seems highly likely that international tourism will soon be back on the cards as well.

Yet even more importantly, local tourism providers were already struggling to find enough skilled staff to fill positions even before the border was closed. Now, as migrant workers have largely returned to their home countries, and as no visa holders are allowed to enter New Zealand and take up roles, travel and tourism providers around the country are more desperate than ever.

In a recent press release from the Tourism Industry Association (TIA), it was revealed that 45% of industry employers have found it difficult to find suitable candidates.

We recently reached out to our friends in the tourism industry to be a part of our ‘We Need You’ campaign. They were more than willing to help us share the message with you all that in fact, we need you to help us fill the employment shortage in our growing industry.

What’s next for New Zealand tourism

In a normal year, domestic tourism accounts for approximately 60% of New Zealand’s total tourism revenue. As Kiwis turn to their own backyard for holidays this year and over the coming months, it is expected that the usual domestic spend will increase drastically.

Not to mention, there is still hope for a travel bubble to open between Australia and New Zealand. If – and perhaps when – that happens, that would mean opening the borders to our largest offshore market. Australia represents almost half of all our international market, and brought in over 1.5 million arrivals in 2019 – how many more will come if New Zealand is the only international destination available?

The new tourism environment will likely lean heavily on employing local workers that have been trained here in New Zealand, already have their industry qualifications, and are ready to get started.

Between the increasing demand for tourism and the notable lack of skilled workers to take up those roles, there has never been a better time to start studying for a career in the industry.

Studying tourism and travel with Study From Home

Study From Home (SFH) is a premium supplier of level 3, 4, and 5 courses in the travel, tourism, and aviation industries.

Our students learn invaluable transferable skills specifically for the industry, which they can put to use here in New Zealand or take with them around the world. At SFH, our tutors have all worked in the industry, and we maintain many strong connections with local tourism providers.

In fact, SFH has created such a reputation for producing skilled and passionate graduates, that our students are always in demand from industry employers.

In addition, our strong focus on employment preparation and career guidance means that graduates are work-ready on course completion, and in many cases, already have job offers from employers through our career expos, industry networking events, and the sector-wide recruitment services made available to employers.

By studying in 2021, students will graduate in 12-18 months, at which point the industry could be even more exciting, and when it will likely look very different than what it does right now.

With our qualifications, you’ll be ready to enter the workforce at the exact moment the global travel industry is once again kicking off – and in genuine need of qualified workers who love to travel, meet people, and enjoy new experiences.

Could that be you?

Learn more about our 2021 courses and get in touch to kick start an exciting and rewarding career in tourism, travel, and aviation.

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

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ITC Launches Online

Posted on 14/01/2015 by
ITC now offers a range of online courses

ITC now offers a range of online courses

On Thursday 7 August the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) officially launched its new online learning programmes.

ITC staff and industry members gathered at ITC’s city campus for the event. Distance Learning Programme Manager Carla Sutton introduced the online courses, thanking the staff involved in creating the courses, and the industry contacts who had provided valuable feedback during their development. Carla gave special mention to Karen Houston of Training & People Development Specialists, who had written the course material.

The courses – which cover cabin crew, ground crew, tour guide, and cruise staff training, customer service, sales skills, and careers in travel and tourism – are wide-ranging in their application.

As well as providing a cost- and time-effective way for those in the industry wanting to upskill and employers wanting to provide professional development for their staff, Carla also spoke about the positive impact they will provide for secondary school students.

“Many students don’t know what they want to do when they leave school; and our school contacts have expressed concern about how to keep students at school in their final high school years. These programmes will give them a taste of the exciting travel and tourism industry and we aim to engage their interest in undertaking further study.”

The accessibility of the courses, which are available on any PC, Mac, tablet or smart phone, is one of their key benefits. Carla spoke about students being able to do lessons on the bus on the way home from school or work, undertaking stop-and-think exercises in their lunch time or connecting with their peers on the forums in the evenings.

Wendy Iceton showing on an ipad how flexible the courses are.

Wendy Iceton showing on an ipad how flexible the courses are.

Each course has a Bronze, Silver and Gold level, with Bronze providing basic course lessons and the Silver and Gold levels offering more personalised study and assessment. Gold students will have access to tutors and other students through online forums. Students who complete the Silver and Gold levels will also receive a Certificate of Completion.

A fourth Platinum option is available for customers who want to tailor the online training to their own business. This option provides flexibility in terms of branding, reporting, additional workshops and one-on-one sessions and will allow travel and tourism operators to provide highly relevant professional development to their staff.

It was clear from the evening’s presentation that a great deal of time, care and consideration has gone into developing these new programmes to meet the needs of the wide range of people interested in travel and tourism. And there is plenty more to come. Guests were asked for ideas on what other courses would be valuable for the industry and course writer Karen Houston promised she had plenty of new ideas as well.

Watch this space: http://itconlinetraining.com

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ITC Graduate Fulfils a Dream

Posted on 24/07/2014 by
Crystal (far right) now working for an airline, thanks to ITC and the training she had via her Distance Learning course.

Crystal (far right) now working for an airline, thanks to ITC and the training she had via her Distance Learning course.

Crystal Coates completed ITC’s National Certificate in Tourism Core Skills (level 3) in 2013. Immediately afterwards, she enrolled in our level 3 Aviation course. Crystal decided to study through ITC’s Distance Learning, as she was employed full time as a retail store manager. She proved to be an outstanding student.

In March 2014, Crystal had the opportunity to join the training programme with Jetstar.

“Ground school was quite intense, so much to take in in such a short time. Exams… oh my goodness! But I passed them all and the practicals as well” says Crystal.

Being offered a job as a flight attendant with Jetstar was a dream come true.

“I’m loving it! The crew have all been welcoming and helpful. The hours at first were a little tough, but I’m getting used to them now; waking up at 3-4am is the norm. I’ve set an early preference so I can be home with my family in the afternoon and evening. It has definitely been very different to anything I’ve done but that has been great.”

Auckland-based crew at Jetstar fly domestically and trans-Tasman, which means Crystal has flown to Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

“I hope to be sent to Christchurch one day to work a Fiji flight,” she says.

Jetstar’s crew is made up people of all ages. “Many different cultures as well which is nice,” says Crystal.

Crystal is thrilled she started on this new career path with ITC and says she only wished she had given it a go earlier.

“I’m so glad I’ve finally fulfilled a dream to become a flight attendant. Thank you for the support and encouragement while I was studying with ITC!”

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Getting career confidence back with ITC

Posted on 20/02/2014 by
Study From Home workshop

Study From Home students participate in a face-to-face workshop

Every year many students complete one of ITC’s distance online learning (DOL) courses for the travel, tourism and aviation industries. Gaining the confidence to get out and apply for jobs can be tough, so we make career preparation an important focus of the course.

More than half of our DOL students study from home because they are looking after young children. After a few years staying at home, many lose confidence in their employment prospects.

DOL graduate Lynda says, “I felt like I had had so much time off that I had become a recluse and didn’t know how to be in the public eye anymore or approach customers with confidence. I even thought I would forget everything I had learnt in previous employment.”

Another graduate Margaret adds: “I didn’t apply for a job for months after completing my course, as I thought they would decline my application as I had not been in the work force for so long.”

Many parents want to take care of their child at home. But DOL graduate Hazel found that getting out there had a positive impact on both her and her child. “Getting a job meant I could earn much more money to support myself and my child, while also gaining a social life outside of our house. I think many single mothers don’t want to send their child to childcare so soon. It seems hard at first but you and your child will adapt,” she says.

Lynda says that the ITC course helped her a great deal. “Training with ITC contributed a lot to gaining my confidence back. Having the phone assessments and orientation, and even graduation, and being amongst other people was a boost. With anticipation I wanted to get back into the work force and show off some recapped skills,” she says.

Lynda is also an advocate of gaining work experience while you study and says that having a part-time, casual job gave her a big confidence boost.

Margaret found that getting out there and applying for jobs was a useful learning experience in itself. “I wasn’t successful in my first application. I didn’t let that get me down: I used it as a learning curve. I took out my ITC notes on career preparation to make sure I was ready. For my next application, I knew exactly what I was going to say to any question asked, and was able to reply back in full confidence.”

Margaret now works for the call centre at Qantas Airways, Lynda is working for Flight Centre in Perth (WA) and Hazel works at Auckland Airport for Menzies Aviation.

As Margaret says: “Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams. If you prepare for your interview, all will fall into place and your dreams will come true!”

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ITC Ready to Launch ITC Online Training

Posted on 26/01/2014 by
ITC offers short courses via ITC Online training site

ITC offers short courses via ITC Online training site

International Travel College is set to launch its new online short courses in August.

The online courses will cover training for cabin crew, ground crew, tour guiding, cruises, and careers in travel and tourism. Two online soft skills courses on winning with customers and sales skills have also been developed.

ITC’s Distance Learning Programme Manager Carla Sutton says the courses have been created in direct response to the needs of industry.

“We have strong connections across New Zealand with airline, travel and tourism operators. We asked them what they wanted from us and we were prepared to do what it took to provide it.”

The clear indication from industry was that ITC should offer courses that would allow all those involved in travel and tourism to benefit – from those just starting to explore their interest to those already working in the industry.

“Developing these courses for online delivery was the best way to do that,” says Carla. “It makes them accessible and affordable to anyone without the constraints of time or money to do onsite training.”

“Because people can study from any PC, Mac, tablet or smart phone it’s perfect for those entering the industry, people wanting to update their skills, or employers wanting to help their staff update their skills.”

The courses ranges from Bronze to Silver and Gold, with Bronze providing basic course lessons and the Silver and Gold levels offering more personalised study and assessment. Students who complete the Silver and Gold levels will also receive a Certificate of Completion.

The courses have been extensively trialled with the help of ITC’s staff and on-campus students.

“As with all of our training, the online courses have been designed with real-world practical applications in mind,” says Carla. “They have been written and designed by authors with a huge range of industry experience, real work skills and great teaching experience.”

Feedback so far has been excellent and ITC is looking forward to launching its new courses in August 2014. ww.itconlinetraining.com

 

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ITC to offer Aviation Course via Distance Learning

Posted on 20/05/2013 by
ITC launches Aviation via distance learning

Aviation, one of the most popular ITC courses, is now available via distance learning

The level 3 course will be titled the National Certificate in Aviation Core Skills and will prepare students for entry level jobs in the aviation and travel industries. Its particular focus is on students who want to work for an airline or airport.

ITC has been a premium supplier of full-time and part-time training programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries since 1996, and has campuses in Botany and central Auckland. Since 2006 the college has also offered a number of its courses via distance learning.

“There are many people in New Zealand who are unable to come to on-campus classes,” says Carla Sutton, ITC’s Distance Learning Programme Manager. “The reasons vary from having young children to other study or work to living far away from a campus.”

Students of the new aviation course will be able to choose between a 25-week full-time course and a 49-week part-time course.

“It’s not always easy for people to fit study into a life that is already busy with other commitments,” says Carla. “So we provide specific options and support wherever we can to help our distance students succeed.”

And ITC’s students agree that it all makes a difference.

“I thought it was going to be difficult, as I am also studying at university and looking after my son, but with the help and support from fellow students and ITC, I DID IT!” says graduate Caroline.

And Sarah says: “I have had so many changes and challenges over the last 6 months, and having study on top of it all seemed to be too much at times, but all your kind words and listening ears have made what seemed impossible very possible and easy.”

As with other ITC courses, students are given advice and help to create a CV that puts their best foot forward and highlights their particular strengths. And distance learning support staff put the students through a practice interview to help prepare them for real-world interviews and boost their confidence.

ITC graduate Carla recently got a job at Menzies Aviation: “This is exactly what I want to do and I cannot believe it,” she says. “It is really happening for me! Thank you so much for your wonderful teaching and the time and effort that you have invested in me. You have no idea how much it really means to me.” “That’s what it’s all about for us,” says Carla Sutton. “Knowing that we have made a genuine difference in helping someone to change their life and achieve their dreams. We are really looking forward to being able to offer the aviation course to people who want to work in this exciting field.”

For more information, please email carla@itc.co.nz or wendy@itc.co.nz or check www.itc.co.nz.

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