In July 2012, 16 year old Chelsea Cooper joined the team at Haslemere Travel as the company’s first Apprentice. An Apprenticeship is a form of vocational training enabling young people to earn while they learn, the skills necessary to succeed in their chosen career.
Apprentices gain key transferable skills such as working in teams, problem-solving, communication and using new technology as well as studying for a qualification, which provides further knowledge and understanding of the relevant job.
Chelsea has completed the first year of her two year apprenticeship and has been working both with a mentor in the business (Susie Atkinson, Manager at Haslemere Travel) and also with an assessor from Training for Travel who administer the learning element of the apprenticeship. Chelsea is working towards her Level 3 NVQ.
Chelsea has made exceptional progress in just one year and has become an integral part of the team at Haslemere Travel, so it was extremely exciting to learn that she had won the prestigious Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT)’s Apprenticeship of the Year Award 2013. This award rewards an apprentice for their hard work and dedication to their job role as well as their NVQ qualification over the past 12 months, giving special recognition to those apprentices whom are believed to have excelled during this time.
Accompanied by managing director Gemma Antrobus, and retail manager Susie Atkinson, Chelsea was presented with a trophy by Dame Tessa Jowell MP at the ITT Cocktails event at the Houses of Commons, London on 18th July.
As winner of the 2013 prize, Chelsea wins a £300 cash prize, ITT student membership for the year, a hotel stay in London for the event and return train tickets to and from the event
“I am thrilled with this award, as it’s my first ever,” says Chelsea. “I love working in travel and with the great team at the agency and it is my ambition to work full-time in the profession and also travel the world.” Her first aim is to travel to Dubai and the USA, “having heard so much about it from the team when they travel there, both destinations sound wonderful.”
Chelsea will use her £300 cash award towards a holiday in Tunisia in August this year.
“We are so very proud of Chelsea’s achievements! She is a vital part of the team at Haslemere Travel and we all know how hard she has worked, so to be recognised for her efforts is just amazing. She has a very bright career ahead of her” said Gemma Antrobus, managing director, Haslemere Travel.
