This week, one of our Electrical Apprentices, Marcus Pan, competed in the SPARKS Learner of the Year 2026 competition, working on an electrical build against other learners from across the UK. After winning the South West Regional competition in January, Marcus progressed to the final against 6 other regional winners and placed 2nd overall. A fantastic achievement and reflection of his hard work and dedication to his apprenticeship.

The SPARKS competition brings together individuals from across the UK to compete for the title of Learner of the Year award and showcase their talent amongst other students within the industry. This is a prestigious and well-known competition sponsored and endorsed by several industry professionals, making this a fantastic networking opportunity as well as providing various career-enhancing prizes to support our students’ professional development.

Marcus is a Level 3 Electrical Installation and Maintenance Apprentice with Holden Electrical, and is a hardworking and determined student who demonstrated an outstanding approach, attitude, and standard of work throughout the competition.

The finals were a demanding two-day installation involving multiple systems and components, all completed against strict industry criteria in a time-sensitive environment. Competitors were required to install, power up, test, and fault-find their work under pressure, demanding both technical excellence and resilience.

Not only was his result a reflection of his attention to detail, dedication, and precision, but it also displayed the fantastic support and teaching within our Electrical team at Weston College.

Marcus received multiple job offers as a result of his success, however, he remains focused on completing his apprenticeship and continuing his journey with Holden Electrical.

Marcus said, “The build was challenging as I’ve not done much metal work but overall it was good and I feel I timed it well. This competition has also given me connections to many people and companies which may be helpful in the future, but it has also built my confidence knowing that my standard of work is good enough to win such a huge achievement. Thank you to my lecturers who has supported and helped me throughout my time at college!”

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction at Weston College, added, “We are incredibly proud of Marcus for the professionalism, confidence, and skill he demonstrated throughout this competition. Competing in an unfamiliar environment alongside other highly talented students is never easy, yet Marcus remained composed and self-assured from start to finish. He applied his abilities with precision and professionalism, ultimately achieving an outstanding result.”

“Providing students with opportunities like this not only strengthens their confidence, but also gives them a valuable advantage within the industry. Experiences of this standard help students build meaningful professional networks, develop essential career skills, receive professional-standard tools and equipment that support their development, and enhance their portfolios by competing in such prestigious competitions.”

Well done to the competition winner, Samuel Stevely of HRUC Uxbridge, and all of the students who took part, and a massive well done to Marcus for this fantastic achievement and for representing the college with an amazing display of professionalism and maturity throughout both competitions!

This competition 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. 

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.

Recent figures suggest that only around 3 in 10 autistic adults (approximately 30–34%) are currently in paid employment. With this in mind, we were incredibly proud to host an inspiring employer engagement event celebrating the achievements, ambition, and talents of our Supported Interns. The event highlighted the importance of creating inclusive opportunities in the workplace while showcasing the incredible potential of young people taking part in Supported Internships.

Designed to provide employers with meaningful insight into the learner journey, the event offered a deeper understanding of the positive impact Supported Internships can have on both learners and businesses alike. It also created valuable opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and inspire future collaborations with employers committed to inclusive recruitment and workforce development.

Employers were welcomed by our learners and invited to visit the Pop-Up Shop, which was proudly run by interns with support from staff. This gave guests the opportunity to see learners demonstrating their communication, teamwork, customer service, and organisational skills in a real working environment. Throughout the event, employers met learners who had worked hard to develop professional CVs, build confidence, and prepare for the next stage of their career journeys.

One of the highlights of the event was the inspiring “Meet the Interns” panel. During this interactive Q&A session, learners spoke openly and confidently about their personal journeys, sharing the challenges they had overcome, the skills they had developed, and the aspirations they hold for the future. Their honesty, resilience, and determination made a lasting impression on everyone in attendance and powerfully demonstrated the value of providing meaningful opportunities and support.

The event provided employers with a valuable chance to connect directly with talented and motivated learners who are ready to take the next step into employment. It also enabled businesses to gain a clearer understanding of the Supported Internship model, explore ways to work in partnership with Weston College, and contribute to the development of learners’ confidence, independence, and employability skills.

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager, said: “We were absolutely thrilled with the first Inclusive Futures Showcase. Witnessing 3 SEND learners speak so confidently on our panel about their aspirations, achievements and being open to offering advice to our employers in attendance about inclusive recruitment and barriers that they have faced, was incredibly inspiring.

“The engagement and encouragement from the employers at our reverse careers fair towards all our learners made a real impact and the event really demonstrated the power of why embedding inclusion into careers is so vital. The team from the Send Supported Excellence Hub are now looking forward to continuing building stronger, sustainable and open recruitment for all our learners with our incredible partners.”

By attending, employers were not only able to identify potential future talent for their organisations, but also actively support their own inclusion and diversity goals by helping to create more accessible pathways into employment.

Their encouragement, engagement, and willingness to champion inclusive opportunities genuinely made a difference to our learners, and we were delighted to welcome such supportive employers to this exciting and uplifting event.

From returning to education later in life to building a successful self-employed career, Florence’s journey shows how determination and the right support can shape a fulfilling future. Now working at Blond Salon, she has turned her passion into a flexible and rewarding career. 

Florence first studied Level 2 Hairdressing at 14, before returning at 27 to complete her Level 3 qualification. Experiencing college as both a teenager and an adult gave her a new perspective. “I’m a firm believer that you get out what you put in,” she says. “This time, I made sure I took every opportunity and really focused on my work.” 

A key part of her learning came from working with real clients in salon sessions. “Being able to practise on actual clients was the best way for me to learn and build confidence,” she explains. Florence also credits her tutor, Nicola Smith, for creating a supportive environment and encouraging her to push herself further. “She never made us feel silly if we didn’t know something, and she’s the reason I entered competitions when I didn’t believe in myself.” 

Those competitions became an unexpected highlight. “I never thought I’d do something like that, but it really helped me grow in confidence, and winning was a huge boost.” 

With a clear goal to become self-employed, Florence approached her studies with purpose. After completing her course, she left her retail job to work in a salon while building her own client base. Today, she enjoys a career that fits around her life. “I genuinely enjoy going to work. I get to spend my days with amazing clients and still have that balance with my family.” 

Florence believes the industry is full of opportunities and encourages others to stay open-minded. “Say yes to opportunities, even if they don’t seem relevant at the time. The people you meet and the experience you gain will always help you in the future.” 

Her advice to aspiring stylists is to think about their goals and find the right environment to grow. “Find a salon that matches your values and will help you learn. If it’s not helping you grow, don’t be afraid to move on.” 

Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I’d tell my younger self to take more risks and not worry about other people. College is such a short time, so make the most of it.” 

For anyone considering the course, Florence sees it as the perfect starting point. “College gives you the foundation - but in this industry, you should never stop learning.” 

If you're interested in finding out more about our Hair and Barbering courses, click here.