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 The Leighinmohr and The Lodge Hotel Coleraine and The Holiday Inn Express and The Hilton Belfast. These students all loved the opportunity to experience different aspects of the hotel environment including front office duties/ reception, weddings and conferences, banqueting, housekeeping.
The Leighinmohr hotel in Ballymena has actively supported NRC Ballymena Work experience programme over past 20 years. Year 2 student Jess Lamont and Year 1 student Ruth Wallace completed placements with Leighinmohr and loved their experience. Both Ruth and Jess impressed management so much that the girls were both offered part-time and holiday employment.
Year 1 student Brad Graham braved the high winds and icy conditions to test his interests in the transport sector of Travel and Tourism- at P&O Ferries in Larne where he joined a team of past Level 3 NRC Travel and Tourism students who had pursued careers with the company following completion of their studies! During his placement Brad had the opportunity to shadow staff in passenger and freight reservations, crewing, port operations and controls.
Within the Travel Agency sector, Gail Rutherford loved her placement at Co Op Travel and spent a very busy week learning new skills and knowledge on bookings and also foreign exchange. Gail 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 Co op confirmed that working in a travel agency is definitely a job I want to go for after I complete my course!”
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 NRC. 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 NRC 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 “
