Ian Carew‑Reid, Chair of the Australian Travel Careers Council (ATCC), today announced the appointment of Michael Bennett—a nationally recognised leader in apprenticeships and traineeships—to the ATCC Industry Advisory Board.
Based in Coonabarabran, NSW, Bennett brings deep regional insight and more than two decades of experience shaping workforce development across Australia. He is a former Chair of Group Training Australia (now the National Apprentice Employment Network) and the Group Training Association of NSW & ACT, and currently serving as Project Manager at VERTO, a not-for-profit organisation offering a wide range of employment, training and community services with 133 locations across NSW, ACT and QLD.
ATCC CEO Rick Myatt welcomed the appointment, highlighting its alignment with the Council’s commitment to strengthening travel career pathways in regional and rural communities.
The announcement comes as the ATCC marks a dramatic resurgence in industry traineeships. Data from Training Services NSW reveals that traineeship enrolments have soared from just seven in September 2025—when the sector faced the threat of collapse—to 143 active trainees today, with 20–30 new entrants each month over the past six months. Myatt attributes this momentum to the upcoming qualification overhaul, prompting parents and students to view travel as a future‑focused career path with Bennet’s expertise arriving at the perfect moment.
“Regional career seekers bring a unique perspective compared to their metro counterparts. It’s a privilege to support Rick and the ATCC team in their vital work encouraging people to pursue travel industry pathways,” Bennett said.
