Good news for aspiring apprentices who love travel: Panache Cruises, the Chorley-based luxury cruise agency, has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly bolster its workforce by 2030.
The company’s founder, James Cole, has expressed his intention to double the staff count. To realise this vision, Panache Cruises is focusing on apprenticeships as a key recruitment strategy.
The company has already welcomed 11 apprentices. These apprentices currently contribute to various departments including marketing, finance, sales, and customer service. This is the beginning of a broader initiative aimed at investing in over 100 apprenticeships by 2030.
One distinctive feature of the Panache Cruises apprenticeship program is the assurance of a full-time position upon successful program completion. Since 2020, the company has been actively collaborating with schools, colleges, and universities to engage young talents who aspire to combine their formal education with full-time work.
In a recent LinkedIn post, CEO James Cole announced: “Things are starting to motor at Panache Cruises. We launched in the US in July, have launched our successful loyalty program Founders, and continue to invest in young talent.
“An absolute passion of mine is to see young people at the start of their career come into a business and grow as individuals with the right coaching and development structures in place.
“Our new office is looking fantastic too, we even provide free freshly prepared hot meals for everyone who comes into the office each day.”
Olivia Edwards, Panache Cruises’ first-ever apprentice, is a testament to the efficacy of the program. Olivia, who specialised in digital marketing, has now become an integral part of the team. She manages and creates content that plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s digital strategy forward.
During her apprenticeship, Olivia acquired a diverse skill set, including video editing, web design, and SEO.
“The working environment at Panache Cruises is uplifting and positive, and the team works so well together,” shared Olivia. “We are always learning from each other and motivating one another.”
As James Cole’s vision of doubling the workforce becomes a reality, it is evident that apprenticeships are playing a pivotal role in shaping Panache Cruises’ success story.
