Travel and Tourism students at NKC Tonbridge College gained a valuable insight into life in aviation when two British Airways cabin crew members visited the college to share their experiences and advice.
On Monday 19 October, second-year students welcomed Liam Pamflett, a former college student who has progressed from working as cabin crew to becoming a Cabin Manager at British Airways, alongside his colleague Jasmina Haigh, a Lead Cabin Service Manager.
The guest speakers gave students an insight into the realities of working in aviation, from the responsibilities involved in looking after passengers to the importance of safety, teamwork and delivering excellent customer service. They also shared examples and demonstrated real-life scenarios cabin crew may encounter, helping students understand how the skills developed through their studies can apply in the workplace.
Liam has returned to speak to students over several years, sharing his career journey and offering a real-life perspective on what it takes to succeed in the industry. His visit provided an opportunity for students to ask questions, learn more about different roles within an airline and consider the career opportunities available to them after college.
Liam’s journey is an example of how a long-standing interest can develop into a rewarding career. Having wanted to work in aviation since childhood, he joined British Airways as cabin crew before progressing to Cabin Manager, a role he has held for two years.
Garry Butchers, Head of Curriculum for Travel and Business at NKC Tonbridge College, arranged the visit as part of the college’s commitment to connecting learning with industry experience.
One student reflected on the session, saying: “My biggest takeaway was learning more about how the job works day to day and getting a better understanding of what cabin crew do on board. I also learned that you could come from different backgrounds and don’t necessarily need specific qualifications to get into the role.”
The student added that hearing about the benefits of the job had made them even more interested in becoming cabin crew and confirmed it was a career they wanted to pursue.
Interested in a career in Travel and Tourism? Explore courses at NKC Tonbridge College and discover where your interests could take you.