Gary Reichenberg’s Cornerstone Learning and Development Acquisition Signals a Fresh Approach to Building Travel’s Future Workforce

Connections Travel Group founder Gary Reichenberg has personally acquired Registered Training Organisation, Cornerstone Learning and Development, as he builds on his growing commitment to reshape how the travel industry attracts, develops, and retains talent.

The acquisition comes just nine months after Mr Reichenberg launched Core Transitions, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities to discover their strengths and find meaningful employment.

Driven by the belief that “all individuals have the right to contribute and feel valued,” Core Transitions provides tailored, person-centred supports that build confidence, independence, and job readiness. Through personalised programs, it helps participants identify their passion and strengths, and chart a pathway to employment, including roles within the travel industry.

That early success sparked a bigger vision for Mr Reichenberg and proved the impetus for his Cornerstone Learning and Development acquisition.

For Cornerstone’s founders, Cassandra Tormey and Rachael Seymour, the partnership represents continuity more than change. Their long-held focus on industry-relevant, human-centred education aligns naturally with the next phase of growth.

“Core Transitions proved how powerful the investment in human connection and the right training and support can be,” Mr Reichenberg said. “We saw lives change when people were given genuine opportunity, and I realised that this approach could equally transform how our industry brings in and nurtures new talent.”

A natural next step

Founded in 2005 under the leadership of Tormey and Seymour, Cornerstone Learning and Development has long been recognised for its formal travel and tourism qualifications, including Diplomas and Certificate IV programs. But as technology, customer expectations, and workplace realities evolve, Mr Reichenberg sees an urgent need to rethink how training is delivered.

“Cornerstone’s always been about staying real and relevant,” said co-founder Cassandra Tormey. “We built it to move with the industry, not chase it, so seeing that continue now feels right.”

Under Mr Reichenberg’s guidance, Cornerstone will expand its focus from traditional qualifications to micro-credentials. Short, targeted courses designed to upskill staff rapidly and align training directly with workplace needs.

These flexible programs are designed to meet today’s realities: faster learning, relevant content, and transferable skills across roles and sectors.

Reinvigorating the travel workforce

Since COVID, the travel industry has faced a severe skills shortage, particularly at entry level. Many agencies continue to grapple with attracting younger workers even as long-standing business owners near retirement.

Mr Reichenberg believes the solution lies in reshaping the narrative, making travel an exciting career path once again through meaningful training that reflects the modern workplace. Acquiring Cornerstone Learning and Development made sense, its reputation for quality, industry-connected training and its deep understanding of the travel sector provided the perfect foundation for that vision to expand.

Building an ecosystem of opportunity

Cornerstone will continue collaborating with Core Transitions to open employment pathways for people with disabilities, ensuring the travel sector remains inclusive and future-focused.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are currently around 139,000 18-year-olds with disabilities in Australia seeking valued employment, a group Mr Reichenberg sees as an untapped source of loyalty and talent.

Mr Reichenberg’s philosophy is deeply grounded in the South African ethos of Ubuntu, the Zulu phrase that translates as, “we are, because of each other’’. Investing in people by providing them with training aligns with this philosophy and ensures that the entire travel ecosystem benefits.

QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONNECTIONS TRAVEL GROUP FOUNDER GARY REICHENBERG
“When we invest in people, the entire ecosystem benefits. Our industry has always been built on passion and people, but passion alone won’t sustain it.

“We need training that inspires new entrants and empowers existing professionals. This is about building a sustainable workforce equipped for the realities of travel today, and tomorrow.”

“Cornerstone Learning and Development represents a tangible way to reinvest back into our ecosystem and strengthen the talent pipeline.

“This exemplifies Ubuntu...we are, because of each other. There is an inter dependency on each other for the mutual success of our travel ecosystem and broader humanity. When we invest in people, in their training, their growth, their confidence, the entire ecosystem benefits. That’s what this is about.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO CORNERSTONE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CO-FOUNDER CASSANDRA TORMEY:
“It’s rewarding to see the ideas and frameworks we developed now being scaled more widely. The more people we can equip with genuine skills and confidence, the stronger our industry becomes, and that’s always been the goal. With some thoughtful consideration and the right coaching, these individuals bring incredible strengths and perspectives. They just need someone to believe in their potential.”

For media enquiries, please contact Sid Maher at smaher@alphaconsulting.global or 0401 704 384