The Australian Travel Careers Council (ATCC) has successfully delivered the first of five Travel Skills Taskforce (TST) industry forums as part of a comprehensive review of the National Certificate III in Travel qualification.
Held on 28 January in a hybrid format (online and in person), the inaugural workshop focused on the Cruise, International Airfares and Reservation Systems competency units. The session brought together a broad cross-section of industry and education stakeholders, reflecting ATCC’s commitment to ensuring training remains contemporary, relevant, and industry led.
Participants included representatives from CLIA, IATA and Amadeus, retail and corporate travel businesses from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, online travel representation, TAFE NSW, TAFA SA and TAFE Holmesglen in Victoria, and the University of Technology Sydney.
The workshop was chaired by ATCC chief executive officer Rick Myatt and facilitated by Kellie Stanbury, national operations manager at Corporate Travel Management (CTM). Discussions across all three competency areas were robust, practical, and forward-looking.
ATCC deputy chair, Phil Hoffmann welcomed the depth and quality of engagement and noted strong consensus around the increased importance of river cruising, which was recognised as a rapidly expanding segment and identified as a valuable inclusion within the Cruise competency unit.
“This first industry forum reinforces the opportunity for the Certificate III review to go well beyond traditional classroom delivery,” ATCC Director Moira Scerri said of the workshop outcomes.
“The process is already demonstrating how curriculum, technology and assessment can be better aligned with both institutional objectives and student success, while remaining grounded in real-world industry needs.”
Four further TST industry consultation forums, covering the remaining Certificate III in Travel competency units, are scheduled for 18 February, 11 March, 1 April and 22 April and retail and corporate travel businesses with an interest in shaping the future of this entry-level travel qualification, who are not already participating, are invited to contact Rick Myatt: rhnmyatt@travelcareerscouncil.com.au or Kellie Stanbury kellie.stanbury@travelctm.com
