Last month, our Travel and Tourism students took a trip to Heathrow Airport where they attended the British Airways Cabin Crew training at the British Airways Global Learning Academy. 

This trip was a fantastic, hands-on experience for our students to gain a better understanding of the tasks entailed when working as part of a cabin crew. They got stuck in with a range of activities and recognised the important roles that cabin crew play in the safety and running of a flight. 

During this training, students looked at safety and emergency equipment, were taught the Learning Zones, and even simulated pilot incapacitation. They were taught the emergency exits from an aircraft such as the A320 Slide Descent, the slide raft practical, and the cabin evacuation and debrief. Finally, they even simulated a real-life fire, allowing the students to practice the smoke chamber exercise and the fire rig on a naked flame.

This trip offered our learners invaluable insight into the industry, allowing them to take part in intense training and lifesaving operations which is required to ensure the safety of all passengers on board. It provided them with more of an appreciation for all the work that goes on behind the scenes and gave them a better idea of the procedures and what a career in this industry would look like. 

Sinead, one of our Level 3 Travel and Tourism students who attended the trip, said, “I enjoyed the variety of activities we completed throughout the day; I particularly enjoyed the fire safety zone where I had to put out a real fire on an electrotonic device.” 

“The staff from British Airways were extremely supportive and knowledgeable, giving me an insight into the job and industry. This trip has also made me consider pursuing cabin crew as a job in the future.” 

It is immersive trips like this that help the next generation of employees decide on their future careers. It gives them an opportunity to obtain real-life experience, understand the responsibilities that accompany the position, and take part in activities and training that is a common practice within the role.  

Hannah Carstensen, our Travel and Tourism lecturer, said, “This is the second time we have run this trip for our Travel and Tourism learners and, again, it did not disappoint. Learners have been able to gain hands-on experience with emergency procedures and engage with tasks that mirror real-life emergencies which offers insight into the training intensity.” 

“Ian and Elaine were able to offer learners an understanding into airline standards and how a major global airline such as British Airways maintains professionalism, safety and service excellence, which gives them a benchmark for industry expectations.” 

Overall, this trip has enhanced our learners’ employability skills, as well as demonstrating their enthusiasm and commitment to the sector which future employers will value. They were also taught a variety of transferrable skills that can be used across many roles in the Travel and Tourism sector and got the chance to network with industry professionals. 

Thank you to the British Airways staff for accommodating our learners and providing such a positive and educational experience. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Travel & Tourism courses, click here. 

This curriculum trip forms part of the Travel & Tourism 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.