Bristol Airport and Weston College team up to boost local career opportunities
By Education Correspondent
Bristol Airport and Weston College have joined forces to give local students greater access to careers in aviation, travel and tourism.
The new Career Excellence Hub partnership will provide students with industry insights, work placements, guest speakers, networking opportunities and projects linked to the sector.
Bristol Airport is the area's largest employer, with around 5,800 people working on-site across more than 50 companies.
Around 70% of its workforce lives within 20 miles of the airport, including almost 1,000 employees who live in Weston-super-Mare.
There are currently 15 Weston College apprentices taking part in apprenticeship programmes at the airport. The new partnership will build on those links and introduce more students to the range of careers available, from engineering and operations to customer-facing roles.
The airport also offers apprenticeships in areas including procurement, project controls, motor transport and management, as well as opportunities for existing employees to develop their skills.
Cherie Marchant, People Director at Bristol Airport, said the partnership would help local people gain experience and access routes into employment and career development.
“Helping local people to access opportunities, build experience and progress into meaningful employment is something we’re very keen to support,” she said.
Weston College’s Career Excellence Hub programme works with employers to provide training and experience alongside students’ courses, with a focus on the skills businesses need.
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Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnerships Manager at Weston College, said the partnership was helping students understand the opportunities available within aviation and travel.
“Bristol Airport is helping us bring careers to life by giving learners access to industry insight, real-world experiences, and a clearer understanding of the wide range of opportunities available,” she said.
Students will also have access to work experience, T Level placements, internships, taster days, careers events and the airport’s Take Off programme.
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The airport also provides free bus travel for employees, including the A3 Flyer service between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Airport, via Worle, Congresbury and Cleeve.
