Sophie has undertaken a travel consultant apprenticeship with Worldchoice Travel and recently won the Best Newcomer in the North Award with TTNG.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
I decided to this apprenticeship as I always had a passion for travel but was so unsure how to get into the industry.
After reading up on travel apprenticeships and the qualifications gained I knew this was something I wanted to do in order to build a career.
What activities do you do in your day-to-day role and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I mostly enjoy the fact that every day is different and there’s always new customers walking through the door.
I love to build the relationships with the customers as a year on, I now have my own customers who book with me which is an amazing feeling!
Even on quiet booking days there is still so much to do and always more to learn.
How has the apprenticeship impacted on you?
The apprenticeship has not only helped expand my travel knowledge but it has also helped to grow my confidence which is something I really struggled with.
Having a supportive coach who was always there to reassure me is what overall made me believe in myself which then helped me do better in my sales.
What do you think you’ve contributed to your organisation during your apprenticeship?
I have contributed sales which has led to the store targets being reached which is beneficial to the organisation.
I have also done my best to implement business development ideas such as blackboard deals, holidays in the shop window and handing leaflets out.
Tell us about the award you’ve recently won?
I recently travelled to a beautiful venue in Bristol for our 2025 TTNG conference where I was awarded Best Newcomer of the North.
I felt so proud and honoured to have received the award as I know how many other amazing new staff there were at TTNG as a whole. I did not in a million years think I would win!
Again, I believe this relates back to when I finally found my confidence and my sales grew. Had I not have grown as a person through my apprenticeship, I do not think I would of received the award.
I couldn’t wait to share this news with my coach who has always believed in me.
How have you found working with Damar as your training provider?
I have found working with Damar a really good experience.
I found the whole course really good to navigate through. There was always an opportunity to build on knowledge which really helped me solidify everything.
I loved completing the fact sheets as these really helped me gain an understanding of places I didn’t know and now I apply this to my everyday role.
Overall I have loved my apprenticeship and the support from Damar.
What are your future career plans?
With my apprenticeship coming to an end, I was offered a full-time role by my manager.
This was always my end goal and something I worked so hard towards. I am so happy to be continuing and growing at Worldchoice Travel.
I am very lucky to have had a manager and colleagues who helped me throughout my apprenticeship. Asking for help when I needed it was the best thing I did in order to expand on my knowledge.