IT'S MY JOB...

...to provide an all-expenses paid, three-day training programme for our new homeworkers at our head office in Sunderland.

Over the first day and a half we go through the systems that the homeworkers will be using. This includes training in making enquiries, taking payment and downloading bookings on Travelcat; going through the quick search system, Easysell; our dynamic packaging tool, Travelink; and the Amadeus cruise booking system.

On Day 2, we go over the company procedures, from selling insurance to learning how to log on to the telephone switch. We also introduce our homeworkers to the company intranet, which provides them with a wealth of information, from the latest commercial deals and special offers, to birthdays and baby news!

On the last day, a Homeworker Training File is given out and we run through this, identifying any questions people may have. There is also a chance to meet managers from our head office teams. And don't be surprised if the Managing Director, John, pops his head in at some point during the day! Homeworker travel consultants are also introduced to their Team Leader and we go out for a bite of lunch and get to know everyone properly.

We like to think that the training course leaves no stone unturned, so that our new homeworkers are ready and raring to go.

But one thing we don't expect is that they go off on that last day and feel like they're on their own. We fully expect the phones to be ringing at the homeworker support desks - and to be training, supporting and advising our homeworkers throughout their time at Hays.