Last month, our Travel and Tourism and Business students received an insightful guest lecture from Border Force members, Darren and Andy, giving learners a deeper understanding into the potential careers within Border Force and the possible progression routes.  

Border Force is a law enforcement command that is responsible for protecting the United Kingdom’s borders, operating at airports, seaports, international rail terminals, and postal hubs to control the movement of people and goods entering or leaving the country.  

Darren and Andy began by outlining their own career journeys, progression, and personal experiences within Border Force. They also explained the training and application process, offering students valuable guidance for those interested in pursuing this pathway. This gave our students invaluable insight regarding where to start when considering a career in Border Force and the key attributes they look for in their candidates.   

During the guest lecture, they also covered key areas of Border Force operations, including their work at airports and ports, detecting passport fraud, managing immigration processes, and enforcing CITES regulations to prevent the illegal trade of endangered species. Learners were able to ask questions during the session, even having the opportunity to check a suitcase for illegal items.   

This hands-on session was an excellent opportunity for students to network with industry professionals, as well as put their knowledge into practice. Border Force is an imperative aspect of ensuring the Travel and Tourism industry runs smoothly and safely and, in turn, encourages socio-economic growth. Learning about careers within Border Force opens up more opportunities for our students and broadens their potential pathways following their course.  

Students can also apply the invaluable tips and advice that Border Force provided regarding the application process to any career in the Travel industry, allowing them to excel in their future careers.

Hannah Forrest, Curriculum Co-ordinator in Travel and Tourism, added, “Guest lectures like this provide our students with a great mix of guidance and hands-on experience to broaden the potential careers in the Travel and Tourism industry for them ahead of completing their course. Border Force makes up a large part of ensuring a smooth and seamless travel experience for people and businesses, therefore learning more about the important role they play brings the careers to life for our students.”

A huge thank you to Andy and Darren for coming in and sharing your extensive background with our students!  

This guest lecture 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.