September 8, 2017 TnH Global

Thomas Cook’s Centre of Learning delivers strongly on Skill Development and Employment Generation for the Travel & Tourism sector

18% Year on Year growth in generation of a skilled work force
75% of students employed leading to growth in job creation for the sector

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world; The World Bank expects India’s economy to expand at 7.2 percent in FY18. However, an evident imbalance that exists is the gap between India’s growth opportunity and the lack of a skilled population/workforce. Improving these skills and the quality of human resources in our country, ensures young Indians are made job–ready and employable – a stepping stone to sustain economic growth with a cascading overall positive impact on the standard of living.

Hence, in a focussed initiative to bridge this gap Thomas Cook launched its Centre of Learning to develop a well-trained talent pool for the travel and tourism industry with a clearly articulated two pronged strategy:

1) Focus on employment generation for Young India by creating a work force that is job-ready

2) Build a skilled entry level work force and up-skill to ensure sustained expertise for the sector

To address this, a diversity of courses and certification programmes were curated by The Thomas Cook Centre of Learning and include:

Basic and Short Term Courses
- Certificate Course in Domestic Tour Management
- Certificate Course in World Tour Management
- IATA Foundation in travel and Tourism

Expert Level Courses
IATA Advanced Course (IATA – Consultant in Travel and Tourism)
Certificate Course in Travel and tourism Management for undergraduate, 6 month part time
Post Graduate Travel Professional Programme in Travel & Tourism Management, 1 year full time
Advanced Diploma in Travel & Tourism Management, 18 month part time

Work and Learn Programmes (with classroom learning and an internship)
Customized Soft Skill Training Courses for the corporate segment

At its sixth Convocation Ceremony held in Mumbai, The Thomas Cook Centre of Learning felicitated a strong contingent of 465 students who had successfully completed the Travel Professional Programme, a Post Graduate Course in Travel & Tourism Management, Certificate Course in World Tour Management and IATA Scholarship certificates. Special prizes were awarded to the top three performers of Centre of Learning’s Travel Professional Program – a Post Graduate course in Travel & Tourism Management.

Mona Cheriyan – President & Group Head – Human Resources, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd said, “The Thomas Cook Centre of Learning’s vision sees strong synergy with Prime Minister Modi’s Skill India Mission. Our focus has been on the urgent need of bridging the skill gap by training and equipping students and making them job ready, and thereby creating a strong talent pool for the Travel & Tourism sector.

I am delighted that our Centre of Learning has demonstrated a strong and sustained 18% YoY growth in graduating students, with 75% being employed by the travel and tourism sector. What is noteworthy is that this growth is powered by applicants not only from metros, but also students from Tier II centres like Chandigarh and Lucknow. We have also observed an interesting career switch to Travel & Tourism from South India markets like Bengaluru.”