A trip to Brize Norton, the largest airbase in the UK, has confirmed a career in the RAF for one Wiltshire College student.

The employer engagement day was organised by Scott Carthy and Mark Williams, public services lecturers from Salisbury and Chippenham respectively, who took a group of 30 students from both campuses to the Oxfordshire base.

And for Sophie Sweetlove, a first year student at Chippenham, the trip was enough to convince her where a career lies.

She said: “I was fairly sure I wanted to join the RAF but a chance to see key parts of a fully operational RAF base really opens your eyes to the opportunities and lifestyles, as well as getting to hear the views of the individuals.

“The travel side of things is also a great selling point for me. I have applied for the role of weapons systems operator."

During the day, students spoke with the RAF fire service, police, chefs, aircraft technicians, air traffic controllers and physical training instructors.

Mark Williams said: “It was a useful day for our students and quite an eye-opener for them. What people don’t realise is that only five per cent of the RAF are flight crew.”