Industry giants witness new collaborative programme take flight between City of Bristol College and Bristol Airport

The event took place at the college’s South Bristol Skills Academy as representatives from industry giants such as Jet2, DHL, EasyJet and Ryanair were in attendance.  
 
This innovative step demonstrates the strengthening of an existing valued partnership between the two that helps to enhance the local workforce and build everlasting relationships.  
 
In 2025, an initial partnership was struck between Bristol Airport and Partners in Bristol (a subsidiary of City of Bristol College) in which the airport funded the ‘Take Off Programme,’ designed to provide mentoring and skills development for a diverse range of individuals, including retirees looking to rejoin the workforce and those returning after family or caregiving responsibilities. 
 
The existing programme focuses on supporting underrepresented groups and individuals facing employment barriers, such as those with mental health challenges, low confidence, or limited access to opportunities. 
 
The new leg of the partnership has been formed to enhance student employability skills, boost both industry engagement and personal development for learners and where applicable; CPD opportunities for current colleagues. 
 
As part of the partnership, Bristol Airport will engage with the college to provide industry insights, placements, guest lectures, and networking opportunities, as well as collaborating on curriculum development and industry-relevant projects. 
 
Employer forums, events and advisory panels will also be introduced alongside supporting City of Bristol College with CPD opportunities. This will be done by offering crucial support around work experience, T Level placements and Supported Internship opportunities.  
 
Talking of the strengthened partnership, Cherie Marchant, People Director at Bristol Airport, commented:

“We’re really pleased to be strengthening our partnership with City of Bristol College. At Bristol Airport, we want local people to be able to see the wide range of opportunities available within aviation and have the skills, experience and confidence to take those opportunities. 
  
"Working closely with City of Bristol College allows us to connect with local learners, understand their aspirations and help create meaningful pathways into employment. 
 
“As Bristol Airport continues to grow, partnerships like this will play an important role in developing the skills and talent we need for the future, while ensuring that local people can benefit from the opportunities that growth brings.” 
 
Addressing the audience at the signing, Rob Hazelton, Managing Director of Partners in Bristol and Strategic Partnerships, stated:

"I think what is particularly important about signing this Memorandum of Understanding is that this isn’t the start of a relationship between Bristol Airport, Partners in Bristol and City of Bristol College. It is really about recognising a partnership that is already delivering and making a commitment to take it even further.
 
"Through Partners in Bristol, our Take Off programme has already created a direct route for local people to develop the skills and confidence they need and access real employment opportunities here at the Airport.
 
"But the relationship is much broader than one programme, we have apprentices already developing their careers with Bristol Airport and our full-time students benefit from opportunities that simply can’t be replicated in a classroom - visits and tours, employer insight, interviews and the chance to understand what working in an organisation like Bristol Airport is really like.
 
"Bristol Airport has significant plans for growth, with ambitions to serve 15 million passengers a year in the late 2030s. Growth on that scale isn’t simply about terminals, infrastructure and aircraft. It needs people. It needs skills. And it needs a strong pipeline of local talent.
 
"As Bristol Airport grows, we want people from Bristol, North Somerset and across the wider region to see that growth and know that there is a route for them to be part of it - whether that is through education, an apprenticeship, upskilling or moving directly into employment.
 
"We’re incredibly pleased to be part of it, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where we take the partnership next."