Tourism, Travel and Museums Modern Apprenticehips

What are they about?

Becoming a Modern Apprentice (MA) is a smart way to gain a nationally recognised qualification while gaining practical skills on the job. The skills MAs learn will provide a great foundation to get them started on their chosen career pathway, all they need to get started is a workplace that is willing to give it a go!

Enrolling in a Modern Apprenticeship means the both the learner and the workplace will get the ongoing support of an ATTTO Business Development Advisor (BDA), who will help get the programme started and follow up with visits every quarter to ensure the learning stays on track. Alongside this is the additional support of the ATTTO Trainee/Modern Apprentice Mentor, who is available for any queries and support throughout the programme.

Who are they for?

Modern Apprenticeships are for anyone who is employed in the Tourism, Travel or Museums industries between the ages of 16 and 21. A positive attitude and a willingness to learn new skills is also a must!

What is available?

There are nine Modern Apprenticeships available in the Tourism, Travel and Museums industries, depending on the career pathway that learners are interested in. They include:

• MA in Tourism
• MA in Travel
• MA in Adventure Tourism
• MA in Tourism Maori
• MA in Tourism Guiding (Attraction or Excursion)
• MA in Tour Leadership
• MA in Museum Practice
• MA in Horse Trek Guiding
• MA in Tourism Visitor Information

How do they work?

Each Modern Apprenticeship requires the completion of:

• The National Certificate in Tourism (Core Skills) (Level 3), plus,
• A National Certificate and/or a selection of additional unit standards that is relevant to their workplace.

Click here to view these details in a table.

Please speak to your BDA for more information about the Modern Apprenticeship programmes that require a ‘selection of additional units’.  They will be able to advise you on the appropriate unit standards for you.

Unit Standards and Supporting Resources

Each Modern Apprentice will receive a Modern Apprenticeship Resource Package, full of information to help support them and their workplace in getting started with the training, and making the most of the learning.

The package helps MA’s through the training and assessment requirements for unit standards in the National Certificate in Tourism (Core Skills) (Level 3).

Click here to find out what is included in the MA Resource Package.

Delivery, Timeframes and Assessment

Modern Apprenticeship programmes can take 2 or 3 years to complete, depending on the programme chosen. This can often be achieved faster if learners are motivated to get the work done and they have a supportive workplace. Modern Apprentices will also receive a special reward for each 20 credit milestone reached – ATTTO’s way of saying congratulations!

The learning takes place through self paced work, which is a combination of working through ATTTO resources and the collection of evidence on the job, completed in your own time.

During this time Modern Apprentices will need to complete on-the-job assessments, which can be assessed in the workplace by a Registered Workplace Assessor, or by an ATTTO Assessor.

What does a Modern Apprenticeship cost?

Modern Apprenticeships are subsidised by the Government, which keeps costs to a minimum. There are fees required for things like ATTTO registration, which covers the cost of the MA programme including the Modern Apprenticeship Resource Package. There are also additioanl assessment fees for workplaces who require the services of a Roving or ATTTO Assessor.

The benefit of enrolling in a Modern Apprenticeship is that it is a commitment between the workplace and the Modern Apprentice. The employer signs off on the learning and is involved in working through the programme with the Modern Apprentice, alongside the support provided by ATTTO.

Career Pathway options

A Modern Apprenticeship provides a great foundation to get learners started on their chosen career pathway in Tourism, Travel or Museums, where they can then move onto higher level qualifications in their specialised area.

Will I get a Certificate?

Modern Apprentices will receive an ATTTO Customer Experience Award, a National Certificate in Tourism (Core Skills) (Level 3), an ATTTO Modern Apprenticeship Certificate, and the relevant National Certificate/s upon completion of each qualification and on comlpetion of the total credits required.

More information

For more information please contact The Hub on 04 499 6570 or email