TUI Academy UK
Across the United Kingdom, many young people face barriers to entering the labour market, particularly those who are not in employment, education or training. While the UK economy continues to grow and small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role as employers, skills shortages and recruitment challenges persist. At the same time, young people who could fill these roles often lack access to the training, work experience and professional networks needed to take their first steps into sustainable employment.
The TUI Academy UK project responds to this challenge by creating inclusive pathways into work through high-quality apprenticeships. By leveraging the UK Apprenticeship Levy alongside targeted financial support, the project enables young people to access paid, on-the-job training while helping small and medium-sized enterprises overcome barriers to hiring and retaining talent. The initiative brings together TUI UK’s long-standing commitment to social mobility through the Inspire Project with the TUI Care Foundation’s experience in delivering vocational training programmes that create lasting opportunities.
Running in Luton, the project places young people at the centre of local labour market needs, with a strong focus on sectors linked to tourism, hospitality and retail. By combining apprenticeships with additional coaching, mentoring and employability support, the TUI Academy UK helps young people build confidence, gain recognised qualifications and develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. At the same time, it strengthens local businesses and contributes to more inclusive economic growth in communities where employment opportunities are most needed.
Young people who are not in employment, education or training face a range of structural barriers that can prevent them from accessing sustainable work. These barriers are particularly pronounced for individuals who have experienced long-term unemployment, have lower levels of formal education, are neurodiverse or disabled, or have previous convictions. Meanwhile, many small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK report difficulties recruiting and retaining staff, even as they continue to grow and seek skilled employees.
The TUI Academy UK is a TUI Care Foundation initiative that addresses both challenges through an innovative apprenticeship model that aligns social inclusion with labour market demand. Over a 15-month period, the project will support 20 unemployed young people to enter paid apprenticeships across hospitality, tourism and retail, creating direct pathways into employment while strengthening the workforce capacity of participating businesses.
Implemented in Luton, where TUI’s UK headquarters is based, the programme contributes to local regeneration efforts and supports the growing visitor economy linked to London Luton Airport.
To ensure inclusive access, the project combines apprenticeships with a structured pre-employment support programme. An estimated 40 candidates will take part in Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes, which prepare participants for entry into apprenticeships through short, intensive training focused on employability, customer service, confidence-building and workplace readiness. These programmes help individuals who may not yet be ready for an apprenticeship to develop the skills and self-belief needed to progress, while also creating a strong pool of candidates for participating employers.
From this group, 20 apprentices will be selected to join nine-month Level 2 apprenticeships, gaining a nationally recognised qualification alongside paid work experience. Apprenticeships will be delivered in partnership with accredited training providers and supported by TUI UK’s Emerging Talent and Apprenticeship Team, ensuring consistent quality and strong pastoral support throughout the programme. All apprentices will join a dedicated TUI cohort, where standard training is complemented by additional learning opportunities such as maths and English support, peer exchange, industry talks and networking sessions.
A key feature of the project is its support for small and medium-sized enterprises. While many SMEs are keen to hire apprentices, wage costs often present a significant barrier. Through the TUI Academy UK, apprenticeship training costs are covered through the transfer of TUI UK’s unused Apprenticeship Levy, while a proportion of apprentice wages is co-financed by the TUI Care Foundation and local authorities. This shared approach enables 20 SMEs to participate in the programme, reducing financial risk while creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
Beyond apprenticeship delivery, the project places strong emphasis on retention and long-term impact. By focusing on quality placements and strong employer engagement, the project aims for at least 60 per cent of apprentices to remain employed in tourism, hospitality or retail after completing their programme. In total, the project is expected to contribute to improved employment outcomes for more than 40 young people, including those who benefit from pre-employment support and progression pathways.
Throughout implementation, the project partners will actively capture lessons learned and identify opportunities for scale. By demonstrating how apprenticeship levy transfers can be combined with targeted wage support and inclusive recruitment practices, the TUI Academy UK creates a replicable model for supporting young people into work while addressing real workforce needs within local economies.
If you are an SME interested in joining the programme, please follow the QR code below to register your interest:
Project Partner
The project is delivered through a close collaboration between the TUI Care Foundation, TUI UK and local authority partners. TUI UK’s Emerging Talent and Apprenticeship Team leads outreach, selection and quality assurance, drawing on its experience delivering the Inspire Project and supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. Local authorities contribute local knowledge, employer engagement and co-financing, ensuring alignment with regional employment strategies. Through its role, the TUI Care Foundation provides financial support, contractual oversight and access to its Changemaker Network, connecting apprentices with mentors and professional role models. Together, the partners combine expertise in education, employment and social inclusion to create meaningful pathways into work for young people across the UK.
