Weston College and Bristol Airport are proud to announce that 16 students from its Travel and Tourism Level 3 course have successfully secured employment at the Airport with easyJet, Jet2 and Swissport, marking an exciting milestone in their early careers

Bristol Airport have partnered with Weston College for a number of years offering students visits to the Airport to provide a hands-on approach and to raise awareness of careers in aviation, as well as inspiring the next generation. These visits provide exciting learning opportunities for students and allows them to a gain a behind-the-scenes tour on how the airport operates.

The students, who recently completed their studies, have moved straight into roles and have started their working careers at the largest airport in the South West and Wales. Their success highlights both the individual dedication and the strength of Weston College’s commitment to prepare learners for real world opportunities.

The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a vocational qualification equivalent to three A-Levels, designed for students who want a broad understanding of the global Travel and Tourism industry. The course helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours valued by employers and higher education providers.

Students study a wide range of units to reflect the diversity of the industry and to keep progression routes open. Key areas include global destinations, passenger transport, customer service, accommodation, business enterprise, airports and airline operations, marketing, events management and cruise tourism.

Hannah Forrest, Course Co-Ordinator in Travel and Tourism at Weston College, said:

“We have developed a strong and ongoing partnership with Bristol Airport, providing learners with valuable industry insight through organised visits, tours and taught sessions. These

experiences are crucial for our learners to allow to allow them to explore real working environments, understand operational roles, and engage directly with professionals at Bristol Airport.

As a direct result of this work, and the exposure gained through tours and classroom activities linked to Bristol Airport, 16 learners have successfully secured employment starting in Summer 2026. I am sure this number will continue to rise as near the end of the completion of their courses. These roles include positions in customer service, ramp operations, and opportunities with major organisations such as Jet2, Swissport and EasyJet, demonstrating the clear progression from classroom learning into meaningful employment within the travel and tourism sector.”

One of the students, Chloe White, shared their experience:

“I found the trip to Bristol Airport really interesting, it was good to see the different areas of the Airport. This helped me learn about the different roles at Bristol Airport and we were able to ask staff questions about their jobs. This helped me understand more about what it would be like to actually work there.

“After this trip through my course at college, I had the opportunity to interview for a job with Swissport to work at Bristol Airport. This was a massive opportunity as it was my first ever interview. The interview went well, and I was offered the job. I am looking forward to starting at Bristol Airport soon.”

Harry Ellis, Corporate Affairs & Community Engagement Executive at Bristol Airport, said:

“We’re proud to have worked closely with Weston College for a number of years to inspire and develop future aviation talent through meaningful, real-world experiences and visits at the airport. Supporting initiatives like this is vital in helping young, local people understand the wide range of exciting careers available in aviation and ultimately securing a job. We look forward to welcoming many more students in the years ahead.”

Last week, our Education and Early Years students welcomed Amy Marsh, Head of Nursery and Preschools at The Priory Learning Trust and former UCW student, alongside Debbie Parker, HR Admin Manager at The Priory Learning Trust, for an insightful workshop exploring career opportunities within the Early Years sector.

During the session, Amy shared an overview of The Priory Learning Trust, highlighting the wide range of career pathways available to students after completing their studies. She discussed progression routes including university, childminding, and preschool and nursery practitioner roles, helping students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities open to them and the steps needed to achieve their goals.

Students were also given valuable advice on how to stand out when applying for roles, including the importance of understanding workplace values, making strong first impressions, and carefully proofreading CVs and cover letters. Amy also explored the key qualities and attributes needed to succeed as an Early Years Practitioner, such as patience, adaptability, communication skills, and the ability to support both children and parents.

The workshop provided further insight into the responsibilities involved in Early Years roles, including planning engaging activities, monitoring children’s progress, supporting transitions into school, encouraging independence, and adapting routines to meet individual needs.

Amy and Debbie also spoke about the variety of roles available within The Priory Learning Trust, from full-time and maternity cover positions to bank and lunchtime cover roles, encouraging students to consider the flexibility and availability different opportunities can offer.

The session concluded with a Q&A, giving students the chance to ask questions and gain further advice about careers in the sector. Interviews were also held with students who had applied for roles within The Priory Learning Trust, providing valuable real-world experience and potential employment opportunities. 

Rachael Moger, Education and Early Years Curriculum Co-ordinator, added, “Employer engagement opportunities like this are invaluable in helping our students build connections with industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of career pathways available after completing their course. Sessions like these not only broaden their future opportunities, but also give students valuable insight into the expectations and realities of applying for and progressing into full-time roles.”

A huge thank you to Amy and Debbie for joining our students and sharing their invaluable knowledge!

This guest lecturer forms part of the Education and Early Years Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

Progress to the next level in Education and Early Years! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Last week, Music Performance and Production students at Weston College took part in an inspiring Q&A session with musician and former student, Beth Rowley. During the session, Beth shared her journey into the music industry, reflected on the experiences that shaped her career, offered invaluable advice to students hoping to follow a similar path, and even performed a few songs with guitarist, Tom Kuras. 

Beth’s journey began at Weston College, where she initially studied Art and Design before discovering her passion for music and progressing onto one of the Music courses. Reflecting on her time at Weston College, Beth explained how pivotal those years were in shaping her future, allowing her to develop her creativity, build confidence, and connect with like-minded people who shared her interests. Her studies also helped her progress to the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in Bournemouth, an experience she credits with opening many doors within the industry. 

During the session, Beth discussed her musical influences and recalled her first major break while studying at BIMM, when she toured with Ronan Keating as a backing vocalist. She described this as a defining moment in her career, helping her recognise her value within the industry and giving her the confidence to pursue music professionally. Beth encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them, emphasising that experience and exposure are essential for career development. 

She also highlighted the importance of performing in smaller venues and building a community through live music. Beth encouraged students to attend open mic nights and use intimate performances as an opportunity to discover their stage presence, develop audience engagement skills, and refine their personal style. She explained that these smaller gigs are often where musicians build both confidence and a loyal fanbase. 

Drawing from her own experiences, Beth advised students to work on the areas they find most challenging, rather than focusing solely on their natural strengths. Developing a wider skillset, she explained, can make musicians more adaptable, independent, and versatile within the industry. 

Alongside the highlights of her career, Beth also spoke openly about the challenges she has faced. In particular, she discussed the growing role of social media within the music industry and the increasing pressure artists face to constantly self-promote their music and performances online. Beth reflected on how this shift can sometimes make the industry feel less personal, with greater emphasis placed on creating engaging content rather than focusing solely on the music itself. Her honesty gave students valuable insight into the realities of working within a modern creative industry and how quickly it can adapt. 

Beyond performance, Beth encouraged students to think about the business side of music. She stressed the importance of understanding industry-standard fees, setting boundaries with venues, and recognising personal value as an artist. For students beginning their careers, this advice offered an important reminder that confidence and professionalism are just as essential as talent. 

Comparing today’s Weston College facilities to those available during her time as a student, Beth praised the College’s updated equipment and industry-standard resources. She spoke enthusiastically about the opportunities now available to learners and even expressed interest in returning to collaborate and record with students in the future.  

This session allowed our students to ask insightful questions, listen to a fantastic live performance, and engage with a talented musician who was once in their shoes. Her openness provided students with an honest and relatable perspective, outlining the challenges, sharing her insight and guidance, whilst also discussing how she overcame self-doubt and navigated changes throughout her creative career. 

Beth finished the session with valuable advice, saying, “Your job has to be fun because life is too short to do something you don’t love every day. Fortunately, music has always been enjoyable for me, so I have no regrets. Music helps me get up in the morning. It provides an escape and that’s what you need from your career.” 

Oz Cahill, Music and Production lecturer at Weston College, added, “It was fantastic to welcome Beth back to the College to share her invaluable insight with our current students. Seeing her successful career journey is hugely inspiring and demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Hearing her honest reflections and industry experience gave students a genuine insight into what a career in music really looks like.” 

A huge thank you to Beth for taking the time to share her insight with our students and perform for them!

This session forms part of the Music Performance and Production Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Photos credited to Photography student, Louis Havinden.