If you’re reading this between meetings, on your lunch break, or after putting the kids to bed, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions people ask before joining JLT is: “Can I fit training around my current job?”
The short answer is yes. Most JLT agents started exactly where you are now. Working full-time. Curious about travel. Wondering if there’s a way to build something new without blowing up everything that’s already working.
The Quick Answers
- Yes, you can train while working full-time. Most JLT agents do.
- There’s no set schedule. Training is self-paced and online.
- You don’t need to quit your job to get started.
- Many agents launch their first booking while still employed elsewhere.
How the Training Works (And Why It Fits Around Life)
When JLT built its training academy, the assumption was that people would need weeks of uninterrupted study time. That turned out to be wrong.
Most new agents complete their core training in evenings and weekends. Some do it in 20-minute bursts between school runs. Others block out a few hours on a Sunday morning. There’s no right way. The modules are designed to be picked up and put down as life allows.
The training covers the essentials: how the travel industry works, legal protections like ATOL, how to use booking systems, and how to work with suppliers. It’s practical, not academic. You won’t be writing essays. You’ll be learning how to search, quote, and confirm bookings.
Why this matters for you: You don’t need to carve out a month of annual leave. You can start learning today, around the job you already have.
What About the Time Commitment?
This depends on how quickly you want to move. Some agents complete their initial training in a few weeks. Others take a couple of months. Neither is wrong.
Here’s what most people find helpful:
- Week 1-2: Watch the welcome modules. Get familiar with the portal and community.
- Week 3-4: Work through legal basics and supplier introductions.
- Week 5-6: Practice with the booking system. Shadow a few quotes.
- Ongoing: Join live webinars, supplier training, and community Q&As when you can.
The live sessions are recorded. If you miss one, you catch up later. There’s no penalty for going at your own pace. JLT isn’t a franchise with fixed deadlines. It’s your business, and you shape it around your life.
Why this matters for you: You can go slow. You can go fast. You can pause and pick up again. The training doesn’t expire, and neither does the support.
Can I Actually Make Bookings While Still Employed?
Yes. Many agents take their first booking before leaving their full-time role. Some never leave at all. Travel becomes a side business that fits around their existing career.
There’s no rule that says you have to go all-in from day one. In fact, JLT encourages people to test the water. Make a few bookings. See how it feels. Build confidence before making bigger decisions.
One agent in the community worked in HR for years. She started taking bookings for friends and family in her spare time. Within six months, her travel income matched her part-time hours at work. She eventually went full-time with travel, but only when it felt right.
Another agent still works in education. Travel is her evening and weekend project. She books honeymoons and anniversary trips for colleagues and their extended networks. It works for her life, and that’s the point.
Why this matters for you: You’re not choosing between your job and travel. You can do both. Many agents do.
What Support Do You Get While Training?
This is where JLT is different from going it alone.
You’re not handed a login and left to figure things out. There’s a team behind you. A community of 380+ agents who’ve asked the same questions. Weekly calls, supplier webinars, and a support desk that responds to real queries from real people.
If you’re stuck on a quote, someone will help. If you’re unsure how to price a multi-stop itinerary, there’s a process for that. If you need a confidence boost before your first client call, the community has your back.
Training isn’t about memorising everything. It’s about knowing where to look and who to ask.
Why this matters for you: You won’t be doing this alone. Even if you’re fitting training into 30-minute windows, you’re still part of something bigger.
What If My Current Employer Finds Out?
This comes up more than you’d think. The good news is that running a travel business on the side is no different from any other side hustle. Most employment contracts allow outside work as long as it doesn’t compete directly or affect your performance.
If you’re unsure, check your contract or speak to HR. Many agents keep things quiet until they’re ready to talk about it. Others are open from the start. It’s your call.
Why this matters for you: You don’t need to announce anything until you’re ready. Your training and early bookings can stay private.
So, Is It Worth Starting Now?
If you’ve been thinking about travel for a while, waiting for the “right time” rarely helps. Life doesn’t get less busy. But small steps add up.
Starting your training now means you could be making bookings in a few months. You could be earning commission before the summer. You could be building something that gives you options, even if you never leave your current job.
JLT agents come from all backgrounds. Teachers, nurses, accountants, stay-at-home parents, retail managers. What they have in common is this: they started before they felt ready. And they trained around the life they already had.
If that sounds like you, the door’s open.
