2017 Excellence in the Advocacy of Career Development Policy Winner - Classic Holidays

Membership-based holiday provider Classic Holidays has been named one of the ‘rare ones who get it’ and a ‘genuine corporate citizen’ by judges of the CDAA 2017 Excellence Awards.

The company took out the Award for Excellence in the Advocacy of Career Development Policy for its involvement in the Work Inspiration program.

In 2013, Classic Holiday accepted an invitation to participate in the work experience program to help give young people a meaningful and life-changing insight into work.

Workplace Support Officer Penny Angus said the company was proud to “make contact with and contribute to the development of young people from all walks of life”.

“Through the program, we can open young people’s eyes to the world of work and their potential in it,” Ms Angus said.

“We assist them to recognise their strengths, become employable and then gain employment. We also utilise the program to develop our staff and enhance their careers.”

The business-led initiative was licensed and implemented in Australia by The Smith Family after it was developed in the United Kingdom.

Four years into the program, Penny said the biggest challenges included getting buy-in from their executives and adapting the program to fit the organisation.

“Without their support the program would not flourish. We involved the executives in all strategic touchpoints throughout the program, including being involved in mentoring the students,” she said.

“You need to work out what is going to work for your organisation and you need a team of people with the passion to drive the program. “

In 2015, Classic Holidays introduced their own school-based traineeship program called Future Inspirations, offering Work Inspiration students work with the company one day a week for a year.

The students undertake the traineeship while finishing their schooling and completing a Certificate III in Hospitality and Tourism with an RTO.

Penny puts the success of their Work Inspiration and Future Inspirations programs down to “continually striving for the best you or your program can be”.

“Excellence is going above and beyond and being proactive and pre-empting anything that may interrupt achieving the ultimate goal,” she said.

“Never give up, be adaptable, be innovative, consistent in delivery of the program, try new things, listen to your people, always learn and build solid empowered teams.”

CDAA introduced the award this year to highlight the achievements of companies whose business is not focussed on the delivery of career development services.

Classic Holidays’ representatives were presented their trophy at the CDAA 2017 Excellence Awards Dinner at the Pullman Hotel Brisbane on May 18.