Meet Keeanu Cookson: From ITC short course, to full-time student, to full-time employment!

Keeanu Cookson went from short course student, to full-time ITC student, to landing a role in the industry!

One of the many pathways ITC offers into the travel and tourism industry is through our short courses in high schools all over the country.

These short courses span just one to three days, but they can be the start of a lifetime in the industry.

That’s exactly what happened to Keeanu Cookson, who began with a short course, enrolled to become a full-time student, and quickly landed a full-time job! We spoke to Keeanu, his tutor Daniel, and his boss to learn more about his journey. (more…)

Meet Stacey Elie: The graduate who landed on her feet after covid derailed her plans

ITC graduate Stacey Elie spent two months at Disney before the pandemic interrupted her exchange.

Stacey Elie is a wonderful recent ITC graduate who was living the dream, working at the Disney Exchange Program, when the pandemic broke out.

Despite this upset, Stacey managed to return to New Zealand and land an incredible new role in tourism thanks to her own hard work and ITC’s support. 

Learn a little more about Stacey’s journey, what she’s up to now, and her advice for students. (more…)

Meet Eitaro Goshima: The ITC graduate whose boss won’t stop raving about how amazing he is

Eitaro Goshima is a recent ITC graduate who began his studies at our Christchurch campus before moving to Auckland and continuing with level 5.

Soon after graduating, our Employment Consultant Sarndra approached Eitaro with the opportunity that she knew he would be perfect for.  She arranged a phone call with SkyCity.  By the end of the conversation both Eitaro and SkyCity employer Shaun knew he was a perfect fit for the role.  This is another example of the extra mile our Employment Consultants go to for our students. His new boss Shaun can’t stop talking about just how wonderful Eitaro has been to work with.

“Eitaro has done a fantastic job since joining the SkyCity Hotel Concierge team. Being an ITC graduate, Eitaro is a great success story, and an example of how ITC prepares its students. Eitaro settled into the team relatively effortlessly and now runs his own shift. I am impressed with his can-do attitude, his willingness to learn, and I look forward to seeing Eitaro progress in his career,” he said.

So we decided to catch up with Eitaro and find out a little more. Here’s what he had to say! (more…)

An influx of available roles sees many ITC students find industry work

Huge industry demand for qualified workers has seen a large number of ITC students and graduates gain roles.

With hope, excitement, and relentless positivity, we’re looking ahead to a spring and summer that are bustling with tourism as New Zealand opens bubbles with Australia and the Cook Islands.

And it’s not just us preparing for greater numbers of travellers in the months to come.

Countless tourism and hospitality businesses around New Zealand have started hiring new staff to cater to the crowds.

Here’s what we’re seeing in terms of new roles coming available, and what we’re celebrating in terms of ITC graduates filling so many of them. (more…)

Graduate interview: Meet the ITC graduate who discovered her dream job after studying at ITC!

Meet the ITC graduate who discovered her dream job after studying at ITC!

After graduating from ITC, Paige Halpin set out to take on the world of tourism and travel – although she didn’t quite know exactly where she wanted to be just yet.

She began with a stint at Walt Disney World, and only discovered her dream job once she returned home to New Zealand.

We asked her all about it in our latest graduate interview, as well as how Covid-19 affected her career, what she thinks is next for the industry, and her advice for current and upcoming ITC students! (more…)

Meet Acacia Barnes: A graduate who enrolled at ITC after more than a decade in another industry

Student Acacia Barnes is studying with ITC after first spending a decade in an entirely different industry!

In March 2020, Acacia Barnes was like many students around New Zealand. She was finishing up her studies at ITC and looking forward to an exciting career ahead – but the pandemic threw a spanner in those works.  

Thanks to ITC’s flexibility, all ITC students were able to quickly switch to our online platform, which is how Acacia completed her level 4 studies with us shortly after in June.

From going back to school after more than a decade in another industry, to studying during lockdowns, to now continuing her studies at level 5, Acacia has quite the inspiring story to tell. We caught up with her recently to chat about her time at ITC, goals and hopes for the future, and advice for anyone thinking of studying at ITC. (more…)

Meet Camille Gale: The graduate whose career improved thanks to covid-19!

Camille Gale’s career actually improved thanks to covid-19!

The coronavirus has been a major upheaval for us all, especially for many in the tourism industry.

However, we recently spoke to one student who has found the silver lining amidst the changes of the past year, and who has actually found that her career has benefitted from the pandemic.

Here’s our chat with Camille Gale, including her thoughts on what’s next for New Zealand tourism, and her advice for future students! (more…)

Meet Kyle Horsefield: From an unhappy job to graduating from ITC and a bright future ahead

Kyle Horsefield went from being unhappy at his work to looking forward to a bright future with help from ITC.

Kyle Horsefield was one of our students at the Botany Campus last year. Like many students, covid-19 arrived and threatened to interfere with his studies and qualifications.

However, thanks to Kyle’s strong work ethic and our wonderful tutors and flexible learning opportunities, Kyle finished the year and is now looking forward to a bright future, even including further tertiary study.

We caught up with Kyle recently to hear more about how he began his time at ITC, how he found his time with us, and what his plans are next. (more…)

Education through hardship: How one student completed her qualifications against the odds

Despite major challenges, graduate Jessica Collingwood completed her qualifications with ITC and Study From Home.

We often catch up with past students and graduates. We love hearing about how they’re going in the industry, and seeing their updates as they move into dream jobs meeting people, travelling, and learning.

But not all stories are about study then work. 

Recently, we spoke to recent student Jessica Collingwood, and learned about how our famed flexible learning options weren’t just convenient, but made it possible for Jessica to graduate. (more…)

Meet graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan: A sparkling career in travel and tourism

ITC graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan is living a dream career in travel and tourism.

We’re welcoming in a bright new year and a fresh group of students at ITC, and what better way to do that than with an interview with a past graduate?

Aishwarya Rangarajan graduated back in 2008, and has since found a sparkling career in travel and tourism. We love hearing about our incredible graduates and keeping in touch as they make waves in the industry in in New Zealand and around the world.

Here’s a little more about Aish’s time at ITC, what she’s doing now, and her advice for current students. (more…)