Australian Timeshare

The Australian-based timeshare group, Classic Holidays, has announced plans for their latest work experience program for students. The program, titled “Work Inspiration,” allows high school students to learn about resort management and working in the timeshare industry.

Classic Holidays invited 15 students to work as “trainees” at their corporate offices and affiliated resorts. Ten of these students will work at the main office, while the remaining five will work at Classic Holidays resorts. [Read more…]

Recently, the Australian-based timeshare group, Classic Holidays, received five awards at the 2014 Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) Industry Awards.

Held on Australia’s Gold Coast on July 25th, 2014 the ceremony hosted the nation’s top resorts and industry professionals. Awards were provided in a variety of categories including: Sales, Marketing, Resort Management, Customer Service, and Corporate Achievement. [Read more…]

This month, the Australian-based Classic Holidays group hosted their second annual “Work Inspiration” program. Through a partnership with a local high school, students joined Classic Holidays employees at work for mentoring and career experiences.

Program Coordinator and Classic Holidays’ Sandy Point Resort Manager, Julia Whitton said, “The ‘Work Inspiration’ program at Classic Holidays has gone beyond our expectations as a work experience platform. Everyone has embraced this program, and we are seeing it really take off in its second year with more schools coming on board.”

Thirteen students from Helensvale High in Queensland, Australia visited the Classic Holidays’ corporate office for a two-day experience. Here the students shadowed employees to get a feel for what it would be like to work for Classic Holidays.

Whitton continued, “The structure of the program is what the kids really enjoy – it’s fun and engaging for everyone, particularly our Classic Holidays staff who act as mentors to the students. This year, with the support of Partnership Brokers, we are also making a film of the ‘Work Inspiration’ journey, which will be a great tool for promoting the program further.”

Classic Holidays also hosted a Work Inspiration program at two of their resorts. At the Golden Shores Resort, Horticulture students participated in a two-day grounds experience. While at Surfers Royale, hospitality students shadowed at the resort’s Reception desk. Classic Holidays is planning additional Work Inspiration events to take place in the next few weeks.

“Later this month we will be presenting ‘Work Inspiration’ to Emmanuel College staff and students, and we will be welcoming more students from Varsity College later in the year to Classic Holidays following the success of the pilot program with Varsity last November,” said Whitton.

The support from the students and employees has encouraged Classic Holidays to make Work Inspirations a long-term program. To show their enthusiasm, Classic Holidays has committed to 100 Work Inspiration events throughout the rest of 2014.

On this note, Whitton shared,

“The feedback from participating students has been 100% positive. They learn a lot about their own personalities, skills and strengths through the various talks and workshops, inspiring them to think about what kind of career they would like to have. For Classic Holidays, it’s every bit as rewarding to share behind the scenes of our business and see the students form bonds with our Classic Holidays mentors.”

The Asia Pacific division of Wyndham Vacation Resorts just delivered a check for $80,000 to the Cancer Council Queensland of Queensland, Australia. The funds, collected by the division’s charity Wishes by Wyndham, are the result of a full year of fundraising.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Pacific Asia is the largest private employer on Australia’s Gold Coast. To encourage their hundreds of employees to give back to charity, the company supports a variety of fundraisers and philanthropic events through Wyndham’s Employee Workplace Giving Program.

Last year, the organization selected the Cancer Council Queensland for its principal charity. Through Wyndham’s Employee Workplace Giving Program the company matched all money donated by their employees. The result was $80,000, presented to the council last week.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific CEO and Managing Director Barry Robinson said, “We are very proud of how our employees have gone above and beyond to support this extraordinary organization, by donating their time and money. The Cancer Council’s work has never been more crucial, with the number of annual new cancer cases in Australia set to rise to 150,000 by 2020.”

In addition to monetary donations, the corporate office of 450 people held fundraising events such as the “Biggest Morning Tea”, an Australian Cancer Council event, in which multiple tea parties were hosted across the country in order to raise money.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift shared,

“We are so grateful for this outstanding contribution from Wyndham, which will go a long way in supporting crucial cancer research and support.”

“All funds raised in Queensland contribute to our vital work in cancer research, prevention and early detection programs and patient support services. Donations help us in investing around $26 million in cancer control every year – including around $13 million in cancer research.”

“We have witnessed significant cancer research breakthroughs over the past year – for example, CCQ research identified a significant drop in invasive melanoma rates in young Queenslanders under 40 – showing our skin cancer prevention messages are getting through.”

To learn more about Cancer Council Queensland, visit www.cancerqld.org.au/.