Travel Specialist Apprentice

Fred.-Olsen-Travel; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AXA Health medical cover

Life Assurance

Discounted holidays and cruises

Boost Benefits scheme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Fred. Olsen Travel is seeking an enthusiastic Travel Specialist Apprentice to join our busy Ipswich team.

This apprenticeship offers a hands-on path into business administration, sales and customer service within travel and holidays. You will learn to handle customer enquiries, process bookings, use booking systems and work toward the Level 3 Business Administration qualification over about 18 months, gaining hands-on experience with an award-winning cruise and travel brand.

Qualifications

• No previous travel industry experience required; positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Organised, friendly and reliable with good customer service mindset.
• Strong communication and teamwork to support customers and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Handle customer enquiries by phone and email.
• Process bookings and check information for accuracy.
• Learn to use booking systems and contribute to sales targets.

Skills

Customer service

Sales oriented

Organised

Communications

Education

Level 3 Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Booking systems

Job description

We are excited you have visited our Careers page. We are seeking talented individuals that are excellent in their field of expertise and are posed with all potential and skills necessary to help us meet future business challenges.

Position not right for you?
Share it with someone you know.

Reference: AUG20268842

Expiry date: 2026-09-01 22:59:00.000

Location: Ipswich - Head Office

Benefits: AXA Health Private medical, Life Assurance, discounted holidays and cruises plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our Boost Benefits scheme

Fred. Holidays is a tailor-made tour operator specialising in a range of holidays, including European holidays, rail journeys, ocean cruises and river cruises.

Our specialist team creates holidays around each customer's individual requirements. This can include choosing hotels and destinations, arranging UK departure points, adding activities and creating holidays that visit more than one destination.

We work with both travel agents and customers directly, providing a personal service and helping customers create holidays that are right for them.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Travel Specialist Apprentice to join our busy Fred. Holidays team. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in business, sales, customer service and travel and wants to develop their skills while gaining valuable workplace experience.

No previous experience in the travel industry is required. We're looking for someone who is organised, friendly and reliable with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in developing their career.

As this is a sales-based role, we're also looking for someone who is motivated, ambitious and enjoys working towards and exceeding targets. There is also the opportunity to earn commission based on your performance.

What You Will Learn

During your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to develop skills in:

• Business administration and office procedures.
• Communicating professionally with customers, travel agents and colleagues.
• Using computer systems and Microsoft Office.
• Using a reservations and booking system.
• Managing information and keeping accurate records.
• Handling customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Managing your workload and prioritising different tasks.
• Producing and following up quotations.
• Processing bookings and checking information is accurate.
• Understanding prices, payments and other financial information.
• Working as part of a busy team.
• Understanding how a tour operator operates.
• Learning about travel products, destinations and holidays.
• Understanding how sales and customer service contribute to the success of a business.

There may be opportunities to attend travel events, trade shows or consumer events to represent Fred. Holidays and learn more about the travel industry. Occasional travel or overnight stays may be required, with appropriate notice provided.

This is an Apprenticeship; the successful candidate will work towards the Level 3 Business Administration qualification which has an estimated course duration of 18 months. This will be a work-based Apprenticeship, therefore there will be no requirement for a day release to college. You will have an allocated Assessor from an Apprenticeship training provider who will visit you in the workplace and provide 1-2-1 training, support, and guidance throughout the course. You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with an award-winning cruise and travel brand. With structured learning and support throughout your apprenticeship, you'll develop practical skills in business administration, sales, customer service, communication, organisation and using business systems. You'll gain valuable experience in a busy workplace while building a strong foundation for your future career in business administration.

Fred. Olsen Travel offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• AXA Health medical cover
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Discounted holidays and cruises
• Retail discounts and cashback incentives through our Boost Benefits scheme
• Training and development opportunities

Our values are:

Customer Driven: We strive to look through the lens of each customer to ensure we continuously put their needs and expectations at the heart of everything we do.

Valuing Diversity: We believe differing views and experiences make us stronger. By working to create a representative and inclusive business, we can deliver the right solution to our customers in the right way.

Investing in people: We believe that by continuously seeking to grow personally and professionally develop our people, we can improve our future today.

Winning Together: We deliver our best outcomes and results when we all pull in the same direction, creating a positive team spirit where people feel valued, support each other and share in success together.

Doing the right thing: We pride ourselves on doing what is right and building trust in every situation with our people, customers and community.

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.