Level 3 Travel and Tourism Work experience- Ballymena and beyond!
Level 3 Travel and Tourism students recently undertook work experience in
organisations across all sectors of the Travel and Tourism industry. A wide variety of
businesses participated in the programme and offered student placements and a
valuable learning and working environment for Northern Regional College level 3
travel and tourism students hoping to secure future employment after their studies.
Work experience placements were offered by organisations including Belfast
International Airport, organisations within Travel and Tourism Information services,
travel agencies, accommodation and catering organisations, transportation and
Tourism development and promotion including local councils.
A number of students with interests in the hospitality sector of travel and Tourism
enjoyed work experience with some of N.Ireland’s independent hotels and
international and global hotels. These included locally Galgorm Manor ,The
Leighenmohr Hotel, The Curran Court Larne, The Dunsilly Hotel and The Templeton
Hotel. These students all loved the opportunity to experience different aspects of the
hotel environment including front office duties/ reception, weddings and conferences,
banqueting and housekeeping.
The Leighinmohr hotel in Ballymena has actively supported Northern Regional
College Ballymena Work experience programme over past 20 years. Year 1 student
Radka completed placement with Leighinmohr and loved her experience. Radka
impressed management so much that she was offered part-time and holiday
employment. Rhynard Campbell braved the high winds and icy conditions to test
his interests in the transport sector of Travel and Tourism- at Rathlin Island Ferry
Company in Ballycastle where he joined a team of past Level 3 Northern Regional
College Travel and Tourism students who had pursued careers with the company
following completion of their studies! During her placement Holly had the opportunity
to shadow staff in Galgorm Manor.
Radka helps past Travel and Tourism student at Leighinmohr Hotel
Within the Travel Agency sector, Nicole and Zuzana loved their placements at Co Op
Travel and Thomas Cook respectively and spent a very busy week learning new
skills and knowledge on bookings and also foreign exchange. Nicole said “My work
experience was brilliant. The staff were all so friendly and helpful and some past
students who actually completed my course have full-time jobs there. My time at
Thomas Cook confirmed that working in a travel agency is definitely a job I want to
go for after I complete my course!”
Zuzana with past student Rachael at Co Op Travel, Ballymena
Karen McLeod, Course coordinator of travel and tourism Ballymena explained- “I
believe it is crucial in today’s competitive work environment that Travel and Tourism
students begin to assemble an attractive Curriculum vitae as soon as possible and
that work experience forms an important part of the process. I encourage all students
to undertake work experience during their time at Northern Regional College.
Students are provided with this opportunity in both year 1 of the 90-credit Diploma
course and again in year 2 as part of the Extended Diploma Travel and Tourism
course. Work experience undoubtedly is a fun learning experience and it is fantastic
that Travel and Tourism students can avail of opportunities locally, nationally and
even internationally. In recent years some very adventurous students have even
travelled far afield to the United Arab Emirates, Portugal and Spain to experience
travel, tourism and hospitality sectors- enjoying chance to further their knowledge
and training and even mange a little bit of winter sun in warmer January climates!!
Work experience for Northern Regional College Ballymena is long running additional
activity built into the Level 3 courses and undoubtedly enhances the student
experience. Feedback has reflected how well it develops students’ personal and
interpersonal skills, confidence and I believe it promotes the real working industry
environment “
(L-R) Caitie at Millenium Centre and Daniel working at Castle Towers School