<p>This week, <strong>Great Western Railway</strong> delivered an engaging guest lecture for our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> learners, offering valuable insight into the wide range of career opportunities available within their organisation and how students can begin their journey into the industry.</p><p>The session was designed to give learners a well-rounded understanding of GWR as both a transport provider and an employer. GWR employees spoke in depth about their apprenticeship programmes, with particular focus on customer service and engineering pathways. They outlined what each scheme involves, the skills and qualities they look for in applicants, and how these programmes support long-term career development. Students also gained practical advice on navigating the application process, including tips on standing out as a candidate, followed by an interactive Q&amp;A session that allowed them to ask questions and explore their interests further.</p><p>In addition to entry routes, GWR highlighted the strong potential for career progression within the company, emphasising that apprenticeships can lead to long-term, rewarding careers. They also shared some of the benefits available to employees, such as free or discounted rail travel and access to gym memberships, helping students understand the wider advantages of working in the industry.</p><p>To provide further context, the speakers introduced the scale and impact of GWR’s operations. Learners were interested to hear that the company serves over 80 million passengers each year and operates across approximately 1,360 miles of track, connecting communities and supporting regional economies. They also explored the extensive network of routes covered by GWR, reinforcing the organisation’s importance within the UK’s transport infrastructure.</p><p>While many roles are associated with trains and stations, GWR demonstrated the breadth of opportunities available behind the scenes. These include roles in finance, sales and marketing, performance analysis, property services, and business assurance - highlighting that there are career paths to suit a wide range of skills and interests.</p><p>Overall, the lecture provided a valuable opportunity for our learners to gain first-hand insight into the travel and tourism industry, helping them to better understand their options and feel more confident about their future career choices.&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you to Great Western Railway for delivering such an insightful and inspiring session, and for supporting our students as they explore their next steps.</p>

<p>Weston College are delighted to announce that <a href="https://www.jet2.com/en/">Jet2</a&gt; have signed as its newest <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Careers Excellence Hub</a> partner for Weston College’s <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> Faculty.</p><p>This milestone is a testament to the strength of the partnership and a shared commitment to inspiring, nurturing and igniting learners into the travel and airline industry, with a clear pathway to employment opportunities connected to Bristol Airport.</p><p>Through this collaboration, Jet2 colleagues have already delivered high-impact employer engagement for our learners, including informative industry guest talks, offering real insight into careers within aviation and travel and mock interviews, supporting learners to build confidence, professionalism and employability skills.</p><p>These experiences ensure learners gain first-hand knowledge of employer expectations, helping them move seamlessly from education into industry.</p><p>Read more about Jet2’s engagement with our learners:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/jet2-give-informative-guest-talk-our-lear… informative guest talk</a></li><li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/jet2-engage-mock-interviews-travel-and-to… mock interviews with students</a></li></ul><p>Our Travel and Tourism provision continues to work closely with employers to ensure curriculum reflect current industry standards, emerging skills, and real career pathways. We are proud to work alongside Jet2 to shape future talent, strengthen the regional workforce, and create meaningful routes into the aviation and travel sector.</p><p>Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Partnership Manager, CEH, <em>“Our partnership with Jet2 brings learning to life for our Travel and Tourism students. From guest talks to mock interviews, these industry-led experiences give learners invaluable insight into employer expectations and real career pathways, helping them to build confidence and move successfully from education into employment.”&nbsp;</em></p><p>We look forward to working alongside Jet2 and supporting their ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of industry professionals.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> students took part in a series of live interviews with Swissport, a global leader in aviation services supporting airports and airlines around the world, and one of our Careers Excellence Hub employers that work closely with our students. The sessions took place on campus and provided students with a valuable opportunity to engage in real recruitment processes, giving them first-hand experience of the expectations and standards required to succeed in the industry.</p><p>Swissport delivers a wide range of ground handling and air cargo services, operating at airports across the globe. With a strong focus on efficiency, safety, and customer service, the company plays a key role in ensuring smooth airport operations and positive passenger experiences.</p><p>In total, seven interviews were conducted, with students responding to a variety of typical interview questions. They discussed their career aspirations, achievements, relevant experience, and the personal qualities they could bring to roles within the travel and aviation sector. This experience not only allowed students to demonstrate their skills but also gave them a realistic insight into professional interview environments.</p><p>We are delighted to share that four students were successfully offered positions with Swissport as Customer Service Agents, an exciting opportunity that will further their careers within the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; industry.</p><p>Through this experience, students not only gained full-time employment following their course, but they also gained a clearer understanding of employer expectations while further developing their communication skills and confidence in interview settings. The sessions also created valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to build connections with industry professionals and open doors for future career progression.</p><p>Hannah Forrest, Curriculum Co-ordinator and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> lecturer at Weston College, said, “This opportunity was an incredible experience for our students, allowing them to take part in real interviews and showcase their skills in a professional setting. While our Travel and Tourism courses equip students with the knowledge needed to succeed, it is employer engagement like this that provide our students with incredible opportunities and experiences to truly prepare them for the workplace and help them take the next step in their careers.”</p><p>A huge thank you to Swissport for giving our students this opportunity to progress their career further in such a high-profile organisation.</p><p>This employment opportunity 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</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.&nbsp;</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>