Amanda PhillipsSamantha Cosgrove – Modern Apprentice
In October 2014, I started working as a Modern Apprentice for Barrhead Travel in their St James Centre branch. I have always wanted a career in travel and thought this was the perfect opportunity to achieve my ambition.
I began my training where I was learning about different destinations, airlines, cruise ships and essentials. This was to build up my knowledge before I started selling products to the customers. Then, in November I travelled through to Glasgow for 3 weeks to get ready to start selling in January, where I got 20/21 on my Barrheads Stars of the Future test.
After this training, I am now qualified to sell, which means I can help customers book their dream holiday. I have sold many varieties of holidays including New York, Magaluf and Barcelona. Apart from selling holidays my work consists of other things such as: making window posters; doing file checks; taking payments; collecting API information and helping my colleagues with their bookings. This could include calling up a company to book wheelchair assistance at the airport for our customers. I have attended numerous training evenings with my workmates to advance my knowledge. I have also helped with numerous airlines to promote their brand with Barrhead. This includes Turkish Airlines where I helped on a stand within the St James Shopping Centre speaking to potential customers and handing out leaflets.
Since working as a Modern Apprentice for Barrhead Travel, I have learnt so much about different countries. For example, I know which parts of Majorca would be best suited for a relaxing holiday compared to a party holiday in Magaluf. I have also learnt that instead of going straight to Australia you could send a customer to Abu Dhabi beforehand so they could see FerrariWorld. But mainly I have learnt how big the world actually is and that there is always something for everyone.
I love working for Barrhead and I am so happy that I have been given the chance to work for them as a Modern Apprentice. I think the reason that I like working for them so much is that everyday you meet new people wanting to go to new destinations. I also like planning out other people’s holidays as I love going on my holidays and helping others get that same feeling is great. Another reason I love working in Barrhead is because of my colleagues as they are so friendly and helpful. They have also taught me so much about the world of travel.
I am so glad that I have chosen to work for Barrhead Travel rather than study travel and tourism at college. This is because I am able to learn while getting experience in the job I have always wanted to do. I definitely see myself working for Barrhead in the future hopefully as a manager or owning my own franchise.