Engineering Students Take Off with Industry Visit to British Airways HQ

Our Engineering students visited British Airways’ Waterside head office for an exclusive employer engagement day, gaining first-hand insight into apprenticeship pathways, workplace culture and careers within the global aviation industry.

The Engineering Department at Stanmore College recently “landed” at the British Airways Waterside Head Office for an inspiring employer engagement visit designed to give students valuable insight into careers within the aviation and engineering sectors.

The visit formed part of an ongoing partnership between the college and British Airways, providing students with meaningful opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world industry experience. Earlier in the academic year, Stanmore College became the first college to receive an apprenticeship talk from British Airways’ Hollie Burton, followed by an exclusive taster day in February.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to meet current British Airways apprentices, who shared their personal journeys into the organisation. They spoke about how they applied for their roles, what a typical working day looks like, and the professional development opportunities available through the airline’s apprenticeship programmes. Hearing directly from apprentices helped students better understand the pathways into the industry and made these career routes feel both achievable and motivating.

Students were also given a guided tour of the Waterside office environment, offering a valuable glimpse into the professional workplace and culture at one of the world’s leading airlines. A highlight of the day was exploring the British Airways Heritage Collection, where students learned about the airline’s rich history of innovation and its role in shaping global aviation.

To round off the experience, students took part in an engaging “Dragons’ Den” style challenge, working in teams to develop and present creative ideas to enhance the British Airways customer experience. The activity encouraged critical thinking, teamwork, communication and commercial awareness — key skills for future engineers and professionals across many sectors.

Stanmore College would like to extend a sincere thank you to British Airways and Hollie Burton for hosting the visit and for their continued commitment to supporting and inspiring young people.

Experiences like this play a vital role in bridging education and industry, helping students build confidence, broaden their ambitions and gain a clearer understanding of the exciting career opportunities available to them.