West Thames College was proud to host its annual Aspire Careers Event, the most significant date in the College’s careers calendar. Aspire brings together more than 50 employers from across west London, creating a vibrant marketplace of opportunity where students can gain industry insight, receive expert careers advice, and explore their next steps with confidence.
Careers education is something West Thames College takes immense pride in. This commitment was recently recognised through the College’s nomination for the Careers & Enterprise Company Award for Excellence in Careers and Enterprise at the 2025/26 Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards — a testament to the strength of its employer partnerships and the impact of its careers provision.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Samantha Louisy, Director of Student Experience at West Thames College, said:
“Aspire is always such a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when education and industry come together. It was incredible to see employers sharing their expertise so generously and to witness first-hand the enthusiasm, curiosity and ambition of our students.
Together, we are ensuring that when our students leave West Thames College, they do so not only qualified, but equipped with the skills for life, for industry, and with the confidence to make informed choices about their futures. I’d like to thank every employer who took part in making this event such a success.”
The event buzzed with conversation as students engaged directly with employers, discovering new pathways and broadening their ambitions.
Freya, Level 2 Painting and Decorating, also valued the variety on offer. “I love looking at different opportunities of jobs. I’ve spoken to RE Engage — I used to go there before college. I hope to get an apprenticeship, either in my field or in something else. That’s what’s so great about Aspire, the variety of options.” For Freya and many others, the event reinforced the many pathways available beyond the classroom.
Malachi, Aviation Level 3, said: “I want to learn about employers, get info. I’ve spoken to Brentford CST, TFL, British Airways. I could become a train driver, football coach, or pilot for BA. Aspire is really great, lots of opportunities.” His reflections captured the spirit of the day — one of exploration and possibility.
Melanie, Media Level 3, attended with a clear goal in mind. “I want to know more about apprenticeships and work experience. I’m interested in speaking to Canon and Jelly. Those are creative companies. I want to do anything creative, like illustrator or camera operation.” Aspire gave her the chance to connect directly with employers aligned with her ambitions and gain valuable insight into creative career routes.
In addition to the exhibition-style employer stands, students also took part in mock interviews and interactive workshops delivered by industry professionals. These sessions gave students the opportunity to practise interview techniques, receive constructive feedback, build confidence and develop essential employability skills. The workshops covered topics such as CV writing, apprenticeship pathways, professional conduct and sector-specific insights, ensuring students left with practical tools to support their next steps.
This year’s Aspire welcomed a diverse range of employers and organisations, including British Airways, K4 Security, Ripple Show Limited, Yellow Butterfly, Lee Marley, St Marys University, Radisson, Watermans, London Borough of Hounslow, Surrey Wax, Ringway Hounslow Highways, Jelly, Canon, Metropolitan Police, Border Force, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Voices for Locals, M.I.T, Hampton Brands, Char.gy, Berkeley Group, Jobcentre Plus, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Vodafone, Protocol, Journalism Dippy, Shiseido, Mencap, British Army, Project SEARCH, West London Chambers of Commerce, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, Hadley Group, Morgan Hunt, Rengage Sport Change and Metroline, alongside representatives from the West Thames College Apprenticeship Team and specialist teams from Heathrow Airport Ltd covering HR, Customer Engagement, and Engineering and Baggage Capacity.
By bringing together such a broad cross-section of industries — from aviation and engineering to media, healthcare, construction, hospitality, public services and the creative industries — Aspire continues to demonstrate the power of partnership. It ensures that when West Thames College students look ahead, they do so with clarity, ambition and the confidence that opportunity is within reach.
"Events like this really matter because a short conversation can spark an idea, build confidence, or help a student see a path they had not considered before," said Marta Gajewska, CEO & Principal of West Thames College.
"With the employment landscape evolving so rapidly, these opportunities are vital to help students understand the changing world of work and build the skills they need for the future. This is particularly important in London, where more than 15% of young adults are not currently in education, employment, or training. It is a stark reminder of how essential it is that education and employers work together to create clear pathways and real opportunities for our community."
