Greater London, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/03/2010 -- In response to a surge in enquiries about its gap year insurance policy in the week since the A-level exam results were announced, EssentialTravel.co.uk has blogged advice to help gappers make their “working holiday” work for them.

Heightened competition for university places has meant that many students haven’t made the grade and will opt to take a year out and re-apply for 2011.

“Missing out on university this time round could actually provide young people with a golden opportunity, as long as they avoid the gap year trap,” says Stuart Bensusan of EssentialTravel.co.uk.

“With the post-graduation job race becoming ever more cut-throat, a well-spent gap year could be the key to putting new graduates ahead of their peers, once the university chapter has closed. However, the gap year trap of spending their year out in vain is an easy one to fall into, which is why we are using our blog to advise students on the sorts of gap years that will help bolster their CVs and show them the time of their lives.

“We’re also urging gappers to stay safe and ensure that they have the right travel insurance for the type of work and leisure activities they plan to undertake in their year out. Most gap year insurance policies will cover travellers for work such as fruit-picking, teaching, au pairing, non-manual volunteering and bar work but not for construction work or any job that requires them to operate machinery or power tools,” continues Bensusan.

EssentialTravel.co.uk advises that the key to getting gap year travel right is to fill the year with something active and something that young adults will be able to speak about with passion and insight.

EssentialTravel.co.uk’s top tips for a valuable gap year include:

Work on a cruise ship – the perfect way to see the world and still earn a crust.

Teach scuba diving on an island – Travellers can get certified as a dive instructor and head over to the world’s best islands and coastal destinations!

Work at an animal sanctuary in Africa – Gappers with a passion for animals will relish the chance to rear injured or lost animals back to health, restore damaged habitats and generally maintain the sanctuary.

Teach English as a foreign language in Asia – This opportunity brings the chance to teach and learn at the same time. Many travellers make amazing friends doing the same thing and also earn some money to fund further travels.

Volunteer abroad – Young adults will reap the benefits of rebuilding damaged eco systems in the Philippines, helping at orphanage projects in Brazil or looking after sick children in hospitals in South Africa.

For more information on EssentialTravel.co.uk’s advice on gap year travel, please go the company’s dedicated blog page at http://blog.essentialtravel.co.uk/getting-the-gap-year-right.html

EssentialTravel.co.uk’s gap year insurance starts from £108.58 per person and is, on average, 34 per cent cheaper than the company’s competitors.

For further information on the range of holiday essentials EssentialTravel.co.uk provide, please visit http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk or call 0845 803 5434.