LONDON, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

With unemployment rates among Britain's young adults soaring, and the cost of going to university a worrying prospect, the UK's largest tour operator, Thomson  and First Choice, offer an excellent solution.

TUI UK & Ireland, the holiday company with more staff based around the world than any other, today is launching its annual Commercial School Leaver Scheme.

Following on from the success of last year's campaign, the scheme is aimed at school leavers who will be based at Head Office in Luton. It offers a structured two year programme within the Commercial division, on-the-job training, a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

Garry Wilson, Product & Purchasing Director at TUI UK & Ireland, says: "Our Commercial School Leaver Scheme is an exciting addition to our range of award-winning schemes for attracting and developing talent. We are offering ambitious, talented school leavers the opportunity of an immediate salary, a development programme spanning real job roles in a range of departments and career prospects. We are proud and excited to be embracing this and look forward to welcoming our new starters in August into TUI UK."

With a rise in unemployment and job cuts within the travel industry, more of today's school leavers are daunted at the prospect of University due to rising tuition fees and rising costs of living. The School Leaver Scheme provides an ideal opportunity for young adults looking to get a foot in the door of the UK's largest holiday provider.

James Curzons, who joined the School Leaver Scheme in 2012 and now works within the Trading team at TUI, said: "The scheme is an excellent way to get your foot in the door to work for such a reputable company with great people. For those that are looking for an alternative to university I would definitely recommend applying. Joining the scheme has given me valuable commercial knowledge through the high level of responsibility I have quickly been given at TUI."

For more information and details of how to apply please visit http://www.tuitraveljobs.co.uk - quoting reference TUI2240.

Follow TUI Travel Jobs on twitter: https://twitter.com/TUITravelJobs

TUI UK & IRELAND

TUI UK and Ireland is the UK's largest tour operator. Key brands include Thomson and First Choice, who between them account for half of the mainstream market within the UK and Thomson Cruises. Sub brands include Sensatori, Thomson Couples, Thomson Family Resorts, First Choice Holiday Villages and SplashWorld resorts.

TUI UK and Ireland's airline Thomson Airways is the UK's third largest airline with 57 aircraft and employs over 4,000 people in the UK and Ireland including approximately 780 pilots and 2,600 cabin crew, operating to over 88 destinations in 30 countries. Thomson Airways will be the first airline in the UK to take delivery of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

TUI UK and Ireland employ a team of 17,000 employees and serve over 5.5 million customers each year. Thomson and First Choice currently have from around 750 retail shops across the UK.

SOURCE Thomson Holidays