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The Travel Gap Takes Flight: Virgin Australia Named Official Domestic Airline Partner

The travel industry’s workforce revolution has officially been cleared for takeoff. 

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) today announced a powerhouse partnership with Virgin Australia, naming the carrier as the official Domestic Airline Partner for The Travel Gap.

This partnership is the latest delivery under Project A30, ATIA’s strategic roadmap to future-proof Australia’s $69 billion travel sector. By joining forces with ATIA and the youth-employment platform My First Job, Virgin Australia will provide the wings for "gappers" to move across the country, turning a traditional gap year into a professional launchpad.

LEARN, EARN, AND EXPLORE
The Travel Gap is a structured 29+ week program designed to strip away the "entry-level" stigma and show school leavers that travel is a high-growth, high-adventure career. Participants don't just work; they embark on a managed journey where they:

• Gain hands-on experience with trusted travel brands and host employers.
• Access exclusive industry perks and behind-the-scenes insights.
• Build long-term connections in the sector.
• Discover Australia through a structured "learn, earn, and explore" model that gives parents peace of mind.

Virgin Australia's involvement adds a critical logistical layer, facilitating the movement of participants between placements and ensuring they experience the full breadth of the industry—from the tarmac to the travel desk.

ATIA DELIVERING FOR MEMBERS AND THE SECTOR
This partnership is a prime example of ATIA’s innovation and the strength of its relationships. By securing a major airline partner, ATIA is delivering direct value to host employers, reducing the barriers to entry for new talent, and ensuring the industry remains competitive for Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG 
“The Travel Gap is the first major delivery of our A30 Workforce program and having Virgin Australia fuel this initiative is a game-changer. This isn't just a recruitment drive; it’s about showing the next generation that travel is a dynamic, people-driven powerhouse with endless career paths. We are innovating at pace to solve workforce shortages, and the strength of our relationship with Virgin Australia allows us to deliver a program that is truly national and world-class.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MANAGER GLOBAL AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS LORRAINE DONNAN:
“We are thrilled to be the Domestic Airline Partner for The Travel Gap. Our industry is built on the energy and passion of people, and there is no better way to discover its magic than by being in the middle of it. By helping gappers move around the country, we are not just supporting their journey, we are helping them see the vital role aviation plays in the travel ecosystem. We want to inspire them to choose travel as a career for life.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MY FIRST JOB CEO AND FOUNDER CASS CHAMPION:
“The Travel Gap is about empowering young Australians to step confidently into the workforce. Partnering with Virgin Australia and ATIA makes perfect sense; we are providing the tools, the trust, and now the travel to help Gen Z chart their own course through meaningful, purpose-driven work.”