This week, one of our third-year Plumbing & Heating Technician apprentices, Jack Winstone, has been awarded a prestigious £1,000 bursary for tools from the Worshipful Company of Plumbers in partnership with Monument Tools. This bursary is one of only six awarded nationally, making Jack’s achievement particularly remarkable.

These bursaries are awarded annually to plumbing apprentices in order to reward them for their hard work within their trade and assist them with expenses as they progress through their apprenticeship qualification. Not only does this support the next generation of plumbers by providing them with high-quality tools to kickstart their careers, but it also gives them more confidence in their ability. Being one of the select few chosen is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the hard work of our students.

Jack has shown exceptional dedication, professionalism, and technical ability throughout his apprenticeship. His enthusiasm for the trade, combined with his commitment to developing both his practical and theoretical skills, has consistently set him apart. This recognition is a testament to Jack’s hard work and character, but also to the high standards and support provided by the plumbing team here at Weston College.

Within our Construction courses, our learners are pushed to compete in many enriching competitions and opportunities to encourage growth within their trade and network with professionals and like-minded students in the industry. This allows them to learn from others to develop their skills and prepares them for the future competition in the industry.

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction at Weston College, added, “Seeing one of our students win such an exclusive competition and come away with rewards to excel in their trade and kickstart their career is fantastic and a reflection of, not only their hard work throughout their apprenticeship, but also the dedication of the staff who put in the effort to ensure they succeed. It is opportunities like this that nurture the future talent of the industry and give them the opportunities to overcome barriers and succeed no matter the adversities.”

A huge well done to Jack for this achievement and we look forward to seeing you continue to grow within the plumbing industry.

This fantastic opportunity forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

Progress to the next level in Construction! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

This week, Weston College hosted the Beauty Therapy South West Skills Challenge endorsed by WorldSkills UK for the second year in a row, with one of our Weston College students taking 2nd place after Bath College. This was an excellent opportunity for students from across the South West to compete in a range of techniques in a professional, time-sensitive environment. 

During the challenge, we hosted Bath College, Yeovil College, and New College Swindon as well as two of our Weston College students. The day consisted of treatments which were judged by industry professionals such as Bella Beauty and former Weston College learner and WorldSkills competitor, Ellie, who now works at Cadbury Spa. 

Throughout the competition, students completed multiple treatments, from manicures and pedicures, to facials and eyelash tinting. They had 2.5 hours to complete all treatments which was great practice for students competing in future WorldSkills competitions. It was fantastic to see the concentration and professionalism from all of the students, and it was excellent preparation for future careers as Beauty Practitioners.  

Competitions like this provide our students with invaluable experience within their subject, building their confidence and time management skills whilst also strengthening employer engagement and meeting likeminded individuals from different colleges. This is an excellent networking opportunity whilst developing their abilities and building their professional portfolio. 

It was also a great opportunity for our students to see former student, Ellie, on the judging panel as it showed our students what they can achieve if they continue to persevere and take part in enriching competitions such as this. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, “It was fantastic to see the dedication and commitment shown by the students throughout the competition. Our two Beauty Therapy learners, Eve and Aimee, demonstrated their knowledge and skills brilliantly and Aimee was rewarded with an impressive second-place award.” 

“We always encourage our students to challenge themselves by taking part in competitions like this, as they provide valuable hands-on experience, help build confidence, and develop the resilience and adaptability needed for future careers in the industry. As a college, we are grateful to host other local colleges, giving our students the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and build networks with others in the field.” 

Also, a big thank you to our SEND learners who provided a fantastic refreshment service to ensure our competitors were fully fuelled throughout the competition.  

And finally, a huge well done to all the students who took part, the professionalism displayed was excellent to see and we look forward to seeing the future talent in the Beauty industry.

This competition forms part of the Beauty Therapy Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

We spoke with Twisted to learn more about how they work alongside our digital learners, supporting their development and providing opportunities for them to build valuable skills and experience within the digital industry.

Could you please introduce yourself and outline your role at Twisted?

I'm Ross, I'm the Marketing Director at Twisted, and I work with businesses who don't have an internal marketing team, or those who want to support their existing efforts by amplifying the businesses own brand voice.

Can you tell us more about Twisted and the services you provide?

Operating as Twisted for 6 years, we are part of a national group, offering Marketing Consultancy, Web Services, Creative design and branding expertise.

What types of opportunities are you currently offering to Weston College students?

T-Level Placements within computing & Business. We have accepted 3 students this academic year, and one last year who is now on a DATS apprenticeship with our sister company.

How do you engage with and support our digital learners?

In addition to supporting with placements, we have:

• Worked alongside the Weston Hospicecare Business Enterprise Project for 3 years.
• Collaborated with the Computing Department to run “Employer Engagement” Weeks.
• Delivered guest lectures.
• Provided an A Level internship in graphic design.
• Participated in CEH curriculum forums.
• Agreed to work with the Re-engagement Department on a future date (to be confirmed).

What qualities or skills do you look for when recruiting digital learners?

A willingness to learn and develop both hard and soft skills. Presentation and punctuality.

Are there any standout success stories involving Weston College digital learners?

Taking a T-Level student who had a bad experience at his first placement who showed consistent improvement throughout, leading to being offered his apprenticeship with us. Seeing the development of a shy student grow and interact with us, and become a valued member of the team.

How has partnering with Weston College through our digital programmes benefited Twisted?

Partnering brings both valuable resource to us, but also allows us to help develop the next wave of potential future employees.

In what ways do our learners benefit from Twisted being a CEH partner of the College?

We bring a true idea of what is expected in an average workplace. Being part of a team, and seeing actual results that are commercially viable and "real world" achievements. Building confidence to put their own ideas across to provide a genuine contribution to the workplace.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our work with the college has always felt highly rewarding to us, being able to pass on knowledge and experience in a way that hopefully will make a difference to young people who are about to enter the world of full-time work.