ATPI’s trainee programme injects fresh talent into business travel

Regional hub onboarding second group of trainees this year

The second intake of business travel hopefuls have begun ATPI’s Trainee Programme at the travel and events management company’s regional hub in Suffolk.

The six successful applicants have started what will be four weeks of in-house training and hands-on experience within ATPI’s industry-leading Operations Team.

The programme is designed to inspire, develop and fast-track the next generation of business travel professionals, reflecting ATPI’s commitment to attracting fresh talent in response to an industry-wide talent shortage.

The training covers company policies, role-specific skills, and systems and procedures and is followed by five months of on-the-job training with a dedicated mentor, allowing trainees to integrate into the team and learn new skills first-hand. 

The programme places a strong emphasis on upskilling, performance monitoring, mentorship and team integration, ensuring trainees are confident and fully equipped for a career in the industry. 

Trainees are also given additional and varied opportunities to gain further knowledge, like fam trips and industry events; with the 2023 cohort attending Business Travel Show Europe as part of their first year.

The programme is aimed at creating pathways for individuals, with no upper age limit, to focus on attracting talent from diverse backgrounds with different skillsets, so anyone with passion and ability can launch their career in travel with ATPI.

The programme aims to overcome one of the biggest challenges that the travel industry is facing, talent shortages, and through other development programmes like ‘Rising Stars’ and ‘Leadership Training’, ATPI ensures talented individuals have a clear path to grow and succeed and stay within the business. 

While travel companies continue to grow their client bases, talent pipelines aren’t keeping up, and employers are facing hurdles around skills shortages, talent fit and flexibility, making recruitment costly and uncertain. 

ATPI’s Training Programme comes at a pivotal time for the industry, which is seeking skilled professionals to shape its future and aims to bridge the skills gap by providing entrants with the structure, mentoring, and real-world experience required to excel. 

With ATPI bringing its new end-to-end platform Avenir: Travel Edition to the UK and Europe, its Suffolk hub and the new trainees will have further opportunities for learning and development.

“Our Trainee Programme is more than a first step into the travel industry, it’s a launchpad,”, says Amanda Killick, ATPI’s Head of HR & Talent. 

“It’s not just about bringing people into ATPI, it’s about igniting careers, nurturing potential and creating a community of people who will shape the future of the industry, and my favourite part is that there is no age limit. This year’s intakes range from aged 17 to 50+ and have a real diversity of experience and skills.”

Katie Skitterall, Group Commercial Director for ATPI, added: “This is incredibly important for our industry. It’s our 10th year of the Trainee Programme, and we expect it to be another successful year of intakes. 

“I truly believe that our industry is at a turning point, and across the board, we are struggling to recruit and retain new talent, especially in the next generation. We need fresh perspectives and future leaders now more than ever. This programme isn’t only about filling roles; it is about creating opportunities for the next generation and helping them thrive.”

ATPI have had great successes with their trainees, with many going on to excel in roles across the business. Successful trainees from the 2023 programme went on to roles within the Digital Team, Account Management Team, Accounts, Supplier Relations and even to a Training role.