<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">As part of last month’s ‘Focus on Finance’ initiative, Year 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… 3 Business</u></a> students welcomed guest speakers Katie Robinson and Alana Goodwin from <strong>Ernst &amp; Young (EY)</strong> Bristol Office, one of the world’s ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms.&nbsp;</p><p>The Big Four refers to the four largest international accounting and professional services firms: <strong>Deloitte</strong>, <strong>PwC</strong>, <strong>KPMG</strong>, and <strong>EY</strong>. These firms dominate the global market, providing audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services to major corporations and organisations worldwide. EY’s structured career pathways make it a leading choice for aspiring finance professionals such as our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; students.&nbsp;</p><p>The session offered students a unique insight into EY’s operations and career pathways within the finance sector. Katie and Alana, both working in Audit, explained the firm’s services and highlighted the skills required for success in the industry, including analytical thinking and attention to detail. They discussed their roles, their career progression, and the benefits of pursuing a career in finance at EY. This was largely beneficial for our students unsure of what to do following their course, especially for those considering an Apprenticeship or Accounting in the future.&nbsp;</p><p>Katie shared her journey from studying History at Cardiff University to joining EY’s graduate scheme. This career path reinforced to students that they can complete a university course that is not relevant to accounting and still secure a place on the graduate scheme. She is now a Senior Assurance Associate and part-qualified <strong>Chartered Accountant</strong> with <strong>ICAS</strong>, Katie outlined the three-year programme, which combines practical experience with exams.&nbsp;</p><p>Alana also discussed her route into EY as a <strong>Level 7 Assurance Apprentice</strong> after completing her A Levels last year. Currently working towards her <strong>ACA qualification</strong> with <strong>ICAEW</strong>, Alana emphasised the value of early work experience and the structured progression available through apprenticeships. This was an excellent example for our current students to get a better understanding of the apprenticeship routes available, how to secure an apprenticeship, and what to expect from them.&nbsp;</p><p>By Katie and Alana delivering an in-depth explanation into their graduate scheme and apprenticeship pathways, it allowed our students to consider the different routes they can take to achieve the same outcome which is especially beneficial for students unsure whether to pursue the university or apprenticeship route.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Emma Hussey, Curriculum Co-ordinator and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; lecturer at Weston College, added, “Guest lecturers such as this provide valuable insight into a career in finance, giving our students a better idea of what to expect and the potential career routes available to them. We now have several students considering pursuing a career in Audit and Assurance which they had not previously considered, showing the impact that professional discussions can have on broadening future career paths.”&nbsp;</p><p>Students remained engaged throughout the lecture, gaining valuable knowledge about alternative career routes in finance and the opportunities offered by global firms like <strong>EY</strong>. The event provided an excellent networking opportunity and broadened career paths for those considering pursuing accountancy and audit.&nbsp;</p><p>A big thank you to Katie and Alana for taking the time to visit our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; students and share your knowledge with them!&nbsp;</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/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… &amp; Tourism</u></strong></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>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/business-accounting-and-operat…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> 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. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a>&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>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">To celebrate the festive season and the approaching Christmas holidays, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… &amp; Tourism</a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; students took a trip to <strong>Hyde Park’s</strong> <strong>Winter Wonderland</strong> in London.</p><p>This event is a seasonal tourist destination that attracts over 2.5 million people each year and employs over 5,000 people to work the event. It is a great example of temporary tourism for our students and gives them the opportunity to experience the operations first hand.</p><p>Students enjoyed the attractions and the food throughout Winter Wonderland before heading to Oxford Street and exploring the wide range of shops for a few hours.</p><p>Winter Wonderland is a 6-week event with over 150 rides and attractions for the public to enjoy, generating millions of pounds in annual revenue for the London economy which they reinvest back into maintaining the Royal Parks across London. This was an excellent way for students to see how large-scale businesses operate and the impact these events can have on the London tourism industry.</p><p>It was also great for students to see how important accessibility is to events, ensuring everyone is welcome and can enjoy their experience with ease. They also have many sustainability initiatives that they incorporate into the event to reduce waste and energy, as well as working closely with the local community to ensure the event has a positive impact and supports local businesses.</p><p>This trip allowed our students to apply their knowledge of operational management to a temporary but popular business, giving them the opportunity to think critically about the impact these events can have on the tourism industry and local economy.</p><p>A big thank you to the supervising staff for ensuring the students had an enjoyable and educational trip.</p><p>This curriculum trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… &amp; Tourism</a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; 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>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/business-accounting-and-operat…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> 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. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">Click here!</a></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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our Year 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/node/73142"><u>Level 3 Travel and Tourism</u></a> learners had the fantastic opportunity to visit <strong>Bristol Airport</strong> for an immersive experience focused on careers in aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The trip began with a guided tour of the main terminal, where students explored the passenger journey from check-in to boarding. This gave them a real insight into the operational side of the airport and the variety of roles involved in ensuring smooth travel for thousands of passengers every day.&nbsp;</p><p>Students then got the opportunity to access the staff-only Aviation House, a behind-the-scenes area that most travellers never see. Here, learners discovered the coordination required between different departments, from security to ground handling, and learned about the skills and qualifications required for these roles.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Following this, the group attended a lesson in <strong>Lulsgate House</strong>, where airport staff delivered an engaging session on career pathways, progression opportunities, and the importance of customer service in the aviation industry.&nbsp;</p><p>One of the highlights of the day was visiting the roof deck, where students watched planes take off and land. This experience brought classroom learning to life, allowing them to see the scale and complexity of airport operations in action.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students exploring the Jet2 information desk at the airport&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cc6b26b7-935a-476a-b198-e142e1b53c75" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The focus of this visit was on career opportunities, showcasing roles such as airside operations, terminal management, customer service, and specialist positions within aviation security and logistics. This allowed learners to gain a deeper understanding of the different employment pathways available after college and the general expectations and requirements needed to pursue careers in the aviation industry.&nbsp;</p><p>Students networked with staff, gained invaluable insight from industry professionals, and came away with a clearer understanding of the diverse employment options available within the travel and tourism sector.&nbsp;</p><p>A big thank you to Harry Ellis at Bristol Airport for another fantastic visit and taking the time to engage with our <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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This curriculum trip 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. &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>&nbsp;</p>