<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last 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> learners had the incredible opportunity to visit the <strong>British Airways Global Learning Academy</strong> at Heathrow, gaining a real insight into world-class aviation training.</p><p>During the visit, learners took part in a range of hands-on, industry-standard simulations including pilot incapacitation scenarios, an A320 emergency slide descent, life raft practical training, emergency landing procedures, a smoke chamber and fire exercise, and a full cabin evacuation followed by a professional debrief.</p><p>The experience was delivered by highly experienced trainers with a combined 60 years of flying experience, including individuals who had flown for both British Airways and Emirates. Their depth of knowledge and real-world insight brought the training to life, giving learners a true understanding of safety, teamwork and professionalism within the aviation sector.</p><p>Learners were also able to observe British Airways cabin crew training in action, seeing both new entrants completing their assessments and experienced crew undertaking refresher training. They had the opportunity to take part in a Q&amp;A session, gaining valuable advice on the role, recruitment processes and interview techniques. This added further depth to the experience and highlighted the wide range of career pathways available, making it an extremely valuable and inspiring opportunity for Travel and Tourism learners.</p><p>Hannah Forrest, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> Co-ordinator who attended the trip, said:</p><p>"This is the third year we have run this trip, and it continues to be a standout experience for our learners. It gives them the opportunity to take part in practical activities linked to cabin crew training, allowing them to experience first-hand some of the key safety drills and procedures they would complete in a real training environment.</p><p>The British Airways staff provide an outstanding insight not only into careers with BA, but also into the wider aviation industry. They explore the different types of aircraft used across airlines and explain how training requirements can vary between operators, giving learners a broader and more realistic understanding of the sector.</p><p>Whether learners progress directly into aviation or choose a different career path, the qualification they gain is highly valuable. Its strong focus on health and safety makes it relevant across many industries and enhances their employability. This trip remains a real highlight of the course and a memorable part of their learning journey."</p><p>A huge thank you to British Airways for providing our students with an unforgettable experience!</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</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>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College and Bristol Airport are proud to announce that 16 students from its Travel and Tourism Level 3 course have successfully secured employment at the Airport with easyJet, Jet2 and Swissport, marking an exciting milestone in their early careers</p><p>Bristol Airport have partnered with Weston College for a number of years offering students visits to the Airport to provide a hands-on approach and to raise awareness of careers in aviation, as well as inspiring the next generation. These visits provide exciting learning opportunities for students and allows them to a gain a behind-the-scenes tour on how the airport operates.</p><p>The students, who recently completed their studies, have moved straight into roles and have started their working careers at the largest airport in the South West and Wales. Their success highlights both the individual dedication and the strength of Weston College’s commitment to prepare learners for real world opportunities.</p><p>The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a vocational qualification equivalent to three A-Levels, designed for students who want a broad understanding of the global Travel and Tourism industry. The course helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours valued by employers and higher education providers.</p><p>Students study a wide range of units to reflect the diversity of the industry and to keep progression routes open. Key areas include global destinations, passenger transport, customer service, accommodation, business enterprise, airports and airline operations, marketing, events management and cruise tourism.</p><p><strong>Hannah Forrest, Course Co-Ordinator in Travel and Tourism at Weston College, said:</strong></p><p>“We have developed a strong and ongoing partnership with Bristol Airport, providing learners with valuable industry insight through organised visits, tours and taught sessions. These</p><p>experiences are crucial for our learners to allow to allow them to explore real working environments, understand operational roles, and engage directly with professionals at Bristol Airport.</p><p>As a direct result of this work, and the exposure gained through tours and classroom activities linked to Bristol Airport, 16 learners have successfully secured employment starting in Summer 2026. I am sure this number will continue to rise as near the end of the completion of their courses. These roles include positions in customer service, ramp operations, and opportunities with major organisations such as Jet2, Swissport and EasyJet, demonstrating the clear progression from classroom learning into meaningful employment within the travel and tourism sector.”</p><p><strong>One of the students, Chloe White, shared their experience:</strong></p><p>“I found the trip to Bristol Airport really interesting, it was good to see the different areas of the Airport. This helped me learn about the different roles at Bristol Airport and we were able to ask staff questions about their jobs. This helped me understand more about what it would be like to actually work there.</p><p>“After this trip through my course at college, I had the opportunity to interview for a job with Swissport to work at Bristol Airport. This was a massive opportunity as it was my first ever interview. The interview went well, and I was offered the job. I am looking forward to starting at Bristol Airport soon.”</p><p><strong>Harry Ellis, Corporate Affairs &amp; Community Engagement Executive at Bristol Airport, said:</strong></p><p>“We’re proud to have worked closely with Weston College for a number of years to inspire and develop future aviation talent through meaningful, real-world experiences and visits at the airport. Supporting initiatives like this is vital in helping young, local people understand the wide range of exciting careers available in aviation and ultimately securing a job. We look forward to welcoming many more students in the years ahead.”</p>

<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>