<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Earlier this month, former <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</u></a> student Ellie returned to Weston College to meet with our current Travel learners, sharing her journey since completing her course, offering valuable travel advice and discussing the things she wishes she had known before embarking on her adventures around the world. </p><p>Ellie began the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism</u></a> in 2023, where she quickly established herself as an outstanding student. She achieved an impressive D*D*D* in her qualification, maintained 100% attendance and was named Business and Tourism Student of the Year at Weston College’s Celebration of Success awards. </p><p>During her presentation, Ellie reflected on the exciting opportunities she has pursued since leaving college. She spoke about her role as a <strong>Customer Care Agent for ABM</strong> at <strong>Bristol Airport</strong>, where she has worked for nearly two years, alongside her international experiences, including taking part in <strong>Camp America</strong> twice and backpacking across Southeast Asia and Australia. Most recently, Ellie has embarked on a nine-week volunteering programme in Africa, supporting local communities in Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. </p><p>By sharing her first-hand experiences, Ellie gave students an insight into the diverse opportunities available within the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</u></a> industry and beyond. She offered practical tips and advice for those looking to travel independently, explaining how to get involved in international trips and projects, highlighting her favourite moments from her adventures and sharing lessons she had learned along the way. </p><p>Guest lectures from former students provide a valuable opportunity for learners to see how their qualifications can translate into real-world experiences and career opportunities. Through discussing her role at <strong>Bristol Airport</strong>, Ellie demonstrated how the skills and knowledge gained during her studies can be applied in a professional environment, helping students understand the potential career pathways available within aviation and the wider travel and tourism sector. </p><p>Her experiences also highlighted the personal development that comes with exploring new places, meeting people from different backgrounds and stepping outside familiar surroundings. By hearing from someone who was recently in their position, students were able to gain inspiration, ask questions and develop a greater understanding of the opportunities available to them, both professionally and personally. </p><p>Ellie also discussed her future ambitions, revealing plans to return to Camp America for a third time, spend a year working as an au pair in Australia, complete a ski season in Canada, become a flight attendant and even work as an elf in Lapland. </p><p>Her exciting plans demonstrated that there is no single route to success within the travel and tourism industry and that a willingness to embrace new experiences can open doors to a wide range of opportunities. Hearing about her ambitions encouraged students to think about their own goals, explore different career pathways and recognise how the decisions they make today can help shape their futures. </p><p>Hannah Forrest, Curriculum Co-ordinator in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</u></a>, said: </p><p>“It was fantastic to see Ellie again and hear about the amazing adventures she has experienced since finishing the course. She was always a model student, and to see the confidence she has gained from exploring the world and returning to share her knowledge with our current Travel students was inspiring. </p><p>“Hearing first-hand from former students who have stepped outside their comfort zones and embraced new opportunities helps inspire our learners to pursue careers that allow them to experience different cultures, meet new people and broaden their horizons through the exciting projects and independent opportunities available to them.” </p><p>A huge thank you to Ellie for taking the time to return to Weston College and share her fantastic journey with our current <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</u></a> students. Her experiences are a wonderful example of how the opportunities available through education can lead to exciting adventures, personal growth and a wide range of possibilities.</p><p>This guest lecture forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</u></a> 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.</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong></p>

<p>Weston College and <a href="https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/">Bristol Airport</a> have strengthened their long-standing partnership with the launch of a new <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… &amp; Tourism Careers Excellence Hub</a>, creating even more opportunities for students to develop the skills, confidence and industry experience needed to succeed in the aviation, travel and tourism sectors.</p><p>The new Hub has been designed to bring learning closer to the workplace, providing students with an immersive industry-inspired environment and direct access to employers, helping them understand the breadth of career opportunities available across one of the region's most important industries.</p><p>As part of the partnership, Bristol Airport has helped transform the College's Travel &amp; Tourism facilities into an industry-inspired learning environment. Featuring airport-branded installations, authentic operational equipment and a space designed to reflect the passenger journey, the Hub provides students with a realistic introduction to the world of aviation. Planned future enhancements will further strengthen the experience, creating one of the most distinctive employer-led learning environments in the region.</p><p>The launch reflects a shared commitment to developing local talent and creating clear pathways from education into employment. Through the partnership, students benefit from employer-led projects, industry visits, guest speakers, recruitment activities and real-world learning experiences that help prepare them for successful careers.</p><p as="" part="" of="" their="" college="" programme,="" students="" regularly="" engage="" with="" leading="" employers="" including="" bristol="" airport,="" swissport,="" jet2,="" british="" airways="" and="" great="" western="" railway,="" gaining="" valuable="" first-hand="" insight="" into="" the="" sector="" building="" professional="" networks.="" was="" delighted="" to="" welcome="" these="" industry="" partners="" launch="" event,="" recognising="" vital="" role="" they="" have="" played="" in="" supporting="" programme's="" success.="" <p="">The partnership is already delivering exceptional outcomes for learners. Earlier this year, 16 Weston College Travel &amp; Tourism students secured employment at Bristol Airport with <a href="https://www.jet2.com/en/">Jet2</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.swissport.com/en">Swissport</a&gt; and <a href="https://www.easyjet.com/en/">easyJet</a&gt; progressing directly from education into careers within the aviation industry.</p><p>The Careers Excellence Hub model has also supported students through live recruitment opportunities. Earlier this year, four Travel &amp; Tourism students were offered Customer Service Agent roles with Swissport following on-campus interviews with the global aviation services provider, demonstrating the tangible impact of employer engagement on learner success.</p><p>Alongside employment opportunities, Travel &amp; Tourism students have benefited from a range of industry and international experiences, including visits to destinations such as <strong>New York, Paris</strong> and <strong>The Gambia,</strong> helping them develop the wider skills and confidence needed to thrive in a global industry.</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said:</p><p><em>"What makes our partnership with Bristol Airport so special is that it's about much more than a facility. It's about creating opportunities. Through their support, our learners can see first-hand the exciting career pathways available within aviation, travel and tourism, and understand the skills and qualities employers value most.</em></p><p><em>"We have already seen students progress into careers with organisations including easyJet, Jet2 and Swissport, and this new Careers Excellence Hub will help even more learners take that next step. Together with Bristol Airport, we're creating inspiring experiences that raise aspirations, build confidence and connect education directly with employment opportunities across our region."</em></p><p>Weston College students who complete their course and secure jobs at the airport can travel to and from work for free on the A3 Flyer Bus – a service funded by Bristol Airport. Over the years this has proved a huge incentive for local people in Weston to work at the Airport as often transport to work can be a barrier to employment.</p><p>Dave Lees, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol Airport, said:</p><p><em>“Through our long-term partnership with the College we have been able to work together to ensure local people are equipped with the skills and training needed to fulfil successful careers in travel and tourism – with many securing jobs at the Airport. It means we can retain local talent who might otherwise seek roles outside of the region.</em></p><p><em>“To further support the Careers Excellence Hub, we help facilitate visits and provide insight into jobs roles available, which really helps inspire students at Weston College.</em></p><p><em>“We’re delighted to have been able to support the new Travel &amp; Tourism Careers Excellence Hub, which I am confident will strengthen connections between education, skills and career opportunities.”</em></p><p>The <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… &amp; Tourism Careers Excellence Hub</a> forms part of Weston College's wider commitment to delivering employer-led education, creating opportunities that transform lives and ensuring learners are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.</p><p>By building strong partnerships with employers and providing students with meaningful industry experiences, Weston College and Bristol Airport are helping local talent access local opportunities while supporting the continued growth of the South West's aviation, travel and tourism sectors.</p>

<p><em>Abbie Hannaby - Careers and Employability Co-ordinator</em></p><p>As a <strong>Careers Coordinator</strong> and a <strong>T Level Ambassador,</strong> I support T Level learners throughout their industry placements, helping them gain valuable real-world experience that complements their studies. My role involves working closely with employers to source and coordinate placements, ensuring both learners and businesses have a positive and successful experience.&nbsp;</p><p>One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing learners develop their confidence, skills and career aspirations while in the workplace. Industry placements are a key part of T Levels, providing learners with the opportunity to apply their learning in a professional environment and prepare for their future careers.</p><p>When considering how T Levels fit into the wider qualifications landscape alongside A Levels, apprenticeships and other vocational routes, I see them as another excellent option for learners. Every learner is different, and it's important that there are a range of pathways available. T Levels offer the best of both worlds by combining academic study with substantial industry experience, making them ideal for learners who want to gain practical skills while continuing their education.</p><p>T Levels are particularly important for learners looking to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for their chosen career, as they give learners the chance to put their learning into practice in a real work environment. Through their industry placement, learners can build confidence, develop valuable workplace skills and gain first-hand experience of their chosen sector. This helps them understand what employers are looking for and gives them a real advantage when progressing into employment, apprenticeships or further study.</p><p>Employers also play a vital role in shaping the future of T Levels and ensuring learners are prepared for the workplace. As part of my role, I work closely with employers to arrange and support industry placements, and I've seen first-hand the difference they make. By welcoming learners into their workplaces, providing guidance and sharing their expertise, employers help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed in their future careers.</p><p>To ensure T Levels remain accessible and relevant to a diverse range of learners while maintaining high standards, I believe it's about providing the right support while keeping learner success at the centre of everything we do. Every learner's journey is different, so it's important to help them overcome barriers and make the most of the opportunities available to them. Strong support, high-quality teaching and meaningful industry placements all contribute to maintaining high standards and ensuring learners have the best possible experience.</p><p>Finally, for employers or learners who are still unfamiliar with T Levels and the opportunities they offer, I'd encourage them to find out more and get involved. For learners, T Levels offer a unique opportunity to combine classroom learning with meaningful industry experience. For employers, hosting a placement is a fantastic way to support young people, bring fresh ideas into the workplace and help develop future talent for their industry.</p>