Celebrating the Future of Travel: A S Training Joins Barrhead Travel’s Apprentice Graduation
There are moments in our work that remind us why apprenticeships matter — moments that highlight the power of encouragement, recognition, and opportunity. The recent Barrhead Travel apprentice graduation ceremony was one of those moments.
On Thursday 14th November, our Managing Director, Michelle Van Sprang, had the honour of joining the celebrations at Barrhead Travel’s headquarters in Glasgow, where 15 apprentices were recognised for completing their programmes and stepping confidently into full-time roles within the business.
A Day Filled With Pride and Inspiration
The atmosphere was one of pride, excitement, and genuine celebration. Michelle led a Q&A session with the graduates, inviting them to share their journeys, challenges, and ambitions. Their stories were honest, inspiring, and full of the passion that continues to drive the travel industry forward.
One moment resonated deeply with everyone in the room. An apprentice spoke about being named Apprentice of the Year — a milestone so meaningful that her family “shouted it from the rooftops” with pride. She described how that recognition transformed her confidence and created a memory she will carry for life.
For Michelle, this moment reinforced a powerful message:
Recognition matters. Encouragement matters. Belief in someone’s potential can change the trajectory of their future.
As she reflected afterwards:
“We all have the ability to lift someone up, empower them, and create moments that matter. Do we always realise the impact we have?”
A Testament to Barrhead Travel’s Commitment
Barrhead Travel’s commitment to apprenticeships is woven into the fabric of their organisation. Since its founding in 1975, the company has supported apprentices every single year — investing in talent, developing skills, and building long-term careers within the industry.
Today, more than half of Barrhead’s senior management team began their journey as apprentices. This steadfast dedication continues even as government investment in travel education declines — showing how strongly the organisation believes in developing homegrown talent.
The 15 graduates celebrated this week completed a blended programme of practical, on-the-job learning alongside online and in-person education. Every apprentice has now secured a full-time position within the business, demonstrating both their capability and Barrhead Travel’s confidence in them.
A Partnership We’re Proud Of
As one of Barrhead Travel’s trusted training partners, A S Training is incredibly proud to support the development of the next generation of travel professionals. Seeing these apprentices reach such a meaningful milestone highlights exactly why our partnership is so impactful.
We are committed to providing apprentices with the tools, confidence, and industry skills they need to thrive — not just during their programme, but throughout their careers.
Congratulations to all 15 graduates. Your dedication, determination, and passion for travel shine brightly. This is just the beginning of your journey.
Looking Forward With Purpose
The event left us with a valuable thought:
Are we making a positive impact — and could we be doing even more?
At A S Training, we remain dedicated to growing that impact.
Through meaningful apprenticeships, strong employer partnerships, and a shared belief in the power of developing people, we continue to help shape the future of the travel industry.
Here’s to more moments that inspire, empower, and remind us of the difference we can make.
You can read the full Travel Weekly article covering the Barrhead Travel apprentice graduation here:
👉 Read the Travel Weekly article