Travel and tourism students fly high with real work skills

Level 3 travel and tourism students from Sunderland College have been gaining real work skills to enable their careers to take off!

Over 20 second year students, who are studying Level 3 National Diploma in Travel and Tourism at the College, have participated in a variety of work placements with leading employers such as The Fans Museum, DFDS Seaways, Hays Travel, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Washington and Seaham Hall Hotel.

18-year-old student, Tamzin Ramsay, who has been involved in a 5-week work placement at The Fan Museum, at the old Monkwearmouth Station in Sunderland, said:

“As the museum is new to Sunderland it’s been great to see how it is developing and becoming an attraction for the city and football fans. The placement has developed my skills and knowledge of the industry and has increased my confidence in approaching and talking to new people.

“The museum has been involved in charity events with Sunderland Royal Hospital and St Cuthbert’s Hospice and have allowed me to help out with their visits, which has made my experience there even better.”

All second year Level 3 travel and tourism students study a work experience unit as part of their BTEC course and are required to plan, research and carry out an external industry placement within the dynamic travel and tourism sector.

Catherine Dixon, Travel and Tourism Lecturer at Sunderland College, said:

“The opportunity for our students to have hands-on, real industry experience is invaluable. At this stage students are coming towards the end of their Level 3 course and some are deciding where they see their career progressing, therefore, the opportunity to experience the areas they may want to work in is excellent.

“Students develop so many skills and qualities that will benefit them in the industry such as confidence, customer service skills, sales skills, complaint handling, reservation system knowledge and much more.”