Travel industry bridges the gap: National program launches to solve youth employment challenges

A major industry-backed initiative, The Travel Gap, has officially launched in Melbourne, offering a novel ‘learn, earn and explore’ solution to Australia’s twin challenges: the travel sector’s workforce shortage and the growing ‘first job gap’ for school leavers.

In a first for the Australian sector, My First Job and the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) have partnered to create a structured 29-week pathway. Unlike traditional internships, the program provides young ‘Gappers’ with four distinct, paid six-week placements across the travel ecosystem – punctuated by ‘travel breaks’ to explore Australia.

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Virgin Australia has been confirmed as the official Domestic Airline Partner for The Travel Gap, providing a critical logistical enabler that supports participants to travel between placements and experience the breadth of the industry – from the airline side through to the wider travel ecosystem. The partnership helps reduce practical barriers for young people to take part and supports delivery of a truly national program.

The Ascott Limited’s lyf Collingwood provided essential support, supplying accommodation for all Gappers during the Melbourne kick-off week, and continued to support Melbourne-based participants for their first placement. Marriott hotels provided meeting rooms for education sessions and guest presentations. 

My First Job Founder Cass Champion says the program shifts the focus from ‘getting hired’ to ‘career readiness’: “The first job doesn’t need to be the launch of a career – it’s the first step into the world of work. The Travel Gap gives young people a supported way to build confidence and understand expectations while helping employers develop emerging talent”.

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ATIA CEO Dean Long highlighted the program’s role in making the $120 billion+ industry visible again to the next generation: “Travel is one of Australia’s most dynamic service industries – but we need to do a better job of showing the next generation what’s possible. The Travel Gap helps make travel ‘real’ through structured, paid opportunities, practical learning and direct access to the people and businesses that power this sector”.

The first cohort of participants – Kyah, Monty, Phi and Mya – have already completed an intensive ‘immersion week’ in Melbourne. This included a high-profile industry debut at Entire Travel Group’s Travel Showcase & Soirée, giving the Gappers immediate access to travel products and destinations.

Mya, Travel Gap participant, said: “Kickoff week has already shown us why we applied in the first place, our passion for travel and the chance to be part of something extraordinary. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has already created memories we will carry with all of us forever.”

Beyond the showcase, the cohort engaged in sessions spanning technology, insurance, and strategic consulting with partners including Amadeus, Cover-More, CHT, Hostplus and Birdseye Consulting, providing a 360-degree view of the businesses that power the sector.

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Key Program Highlights

• Structured pathway: A 29+ week program designed for school leavers to explore the workforce before committing to further study.
• Paid experience: Four separate six-week placements (minimum 20 hours per week) across the travel sector.
• National reach: Logistics supported by Virgin Australia, allowing Gappers to experience the breadth of the Australian travel ecosystem.
• Industry immersion: Direct access to major partners to build career fundamentals.

What’s next

Following the Melbourne kick-off, the Gappers have commenced their first paid placements. Over the next six months, the cohort will rotate through diverse roles with host employers including Sonia Jones Travel, Connections Travel Group, Clean Cruising, RAA, CTM, Platinum Travel Group, and Intrepid Travel.

Young people looking to start their journey or employers ready to help shape the next generation of travel talent should visit https://myfirstjob.au/tools/article/the_travel_gap for more information.