Travel trade veteran Julie Franklin has launched a new initiative to strengthen the industry’s workforce and increase employment opportunities. She has joined AS Training in a business development role aimed at promoting apprenticeships. Franklin is taking on the position on a part-time basis.
The focus of this new endeavor is clear. Franklin is set to work with employers who have not previously employed an apprentice to help and encourage them tap into a new generation of talent. She will work on building new business and maximising the apprenticeship pathways into travel.
Targeting New Employers
Moving beyond traditional recruitment, the initiative aims to lower barriers for companies that might not understand the process. Michelle Van Spring, Managing Director of AS Training, explained the strategic reasoning behind the appointment regarding the current state of the market. “The idea behind Julie joining is to connect and engage with employers who have not hired an apprentice before or do not understand how you go about it,” Van Spring stated.
Franklin brings significant experience to the table. She started her career as a trainee travel consultant and spent decades working within the retail sector before moving to the supplier side. This extensive background positions her to offer practical insight into the day-to-day realities of the trade.
A Career Path Reversed
Franklin’s recent professional history illustrates a significant reversal in the traditional travel career trajectory. While many professionals move from agency sales to supplier-side management or consolidation, Franklin has spent nearly forty years in the sector.
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She reversed course to establish an independent homeworker agency within the travel industry, rather than large conglomerates. This path mirrors the independent sector’s resilience, suggesting she sees distinct value in the autonomy of a smaller operation.
Her professional journey includes a decade at Mark Warner before joining Hotelplan in 2018. She left the role in January and confirmed in June that she was “returning to her roots” by setting up her own firm with Designer Travel.
Government Incentives
The timing of her appointment aligns with regulatory changes in the sector aimed at boosting workforce numbers. The government is rolling out an up to £2,000 apprentice hiring bonus for non-levy small and medium-sized businesses. This incentive is available to companies with an annual payroll of less than £3 million.
Franklin’s role at AS Training suggests she will be instrumental in guiding businesses through these available financial incentives. Her work will focus on encouraging companies to utilize the new funding to support long-term workforce development within the sector.