Creating brighter futures

Hey! I'm Maisy, and I recently completed my Digital Marketing Level 3 apprenticeship with Weston College, working for Visit Somerset.

After completing my apprenticeship in March, I was offered the role of Social Media Manager at Visit Somerset, which wouldn’t have been possible without my apprenticeship.

Let me take you through my apprenticeship journey, the highs, the lessons learned, and the growth I've experienced along the way.

Choosing the Apprenticeship Path

Why did I choose an apprenticeship? Simply put, I wanted to learn by doing. I've never been the most academically inclined, so the idea of working on the job while learning was the perfect balance for me. It allowed me to reach my full potential without the pressures of traditional education.

Gaining Unique Skills

One of the most significant benefits of my apprenticeship was developing my interpersonal skills. I had the chance to interact with customers and partners regularly, which boosted my confidence and communication abilities.

Memorable Moments at Visit Somerset

The highlight of my journey with Visit Somerset was an unforgettable trip to Noah's Ark Zoo.

There, I got to try out new animal experiences and help with filming and social media promotion. Feeding lions, bears, and armadillos was an experience of a lifetime that I'll cherish forever.

A Special Project: 'Dog-Friendly Somerset'

One project that's very close to my heart is 'Dog-Friendly Somerset.' I took it upon myself to showcase how pet-friendly our region is by creating a video at The Eastbury Hotel. The project was a massive success and continues to thrive.

Support from Weston College

I can't emphasise enough the support I received from Weston College during my apprenticeship.

My assessor was exceptional. She guided me, ensured I stayed on track, and relieved any worries about deadlines.

Advice for Future Apprentices

If you're considering an apprenticeship, my advice is simple: go for it!

You'll learn, grow, and get paid for doing what you love. I emerged from my apprenticeship more confident and equipped with skills I wouldn't have gained in a traditional job.

My journey from an apprentice to a Social Media Manager has been incredible. It's shown me the power of hands-on learning and the endless opportunities that come with it. So, whether you're starting your apprenticeship journey or just curious about it, remember that it could be the key to unlocking your full potential, just as it did for me.

Maisy, Social Media Manager, Visit Somerset

If you’d like to follow in Maisy’s footsteps and become an apprentice, you can do so by clicking here.

If you’re an employer that would like to recruit talented new staff through apprenticeships, you can do so by clicking here.

We are aware that since the start of the academic year there have been some issues with some of the local services operated by First Bus, particularly the number 7 and X5 which has impacted our learners travelling to and from our campuses. As a result, we have been in communication with the company and have raised our concerns, as well as those of our learners and their parents.

First Bus have today given us an in-depth update on some of the issues being experienced, which are linked to an upgrade of the local vehicle fleet in and around Weston-super-Mare. This has unfortunately led to some services running late or in some instances being cancelled. The knock-on effect is that where the services have run, there is an increased footfall as a result and some services being full. All of this has obviously impacted the travel of our learners and is something we have voiced with First Bus and they have acknowledged this and asked us to pass on their apologies to our learners about the experience that some may have had recently.

We have been pleased to receive communication from senior members of staff at First Bus who have had this issue escalated to their attention and are taking a proactive approach to rectifying the issue. First Bus have informed us that a number of engineers are working on their fleet and that they anticipate seeing improvement this week and moving into next week.

First Bus have informed us that learners should use the First Bus app to track journeys, including a live interactive map as well as being able to see the number of spaces available on all services. First Bus have assured us that if there is the unfortunate event of a service not running, that the app is updated and the journey will not be able to be tracked.

Our advice to our learners is therefore:

• Check the app regularly prior to travelling.
• Where services run frequently, such as the number 7 (every 20 minutes), maybe consider getting an earlier service to avoid potential disruption at peak times.
• If your travel to college is impacted by the transport network, then message your tutor via Teams to let them know you are running late.

As a college we are doing all that we can to try and resolve this issue on behalf of our learners and are optimistic that this will be resolved very soon. We will continue to post updates on this via our website when we receive them.

If you experience any issues with First Bus, then please contact their customer services team on the below:

• Email: SSC-CustomerFeedback@firstbus.co.uk
• Tel: 03300 947 577

All information on our transport network can be found on our Travelling to College section of the website.

As we explore the incredible journeys of our University Centre Weston (UCW) alumni, we turn our attention to Paul, a talented performer who embarked on his educational voyage with a UAL Extended Diploma in Performing Arts, specifically in the Acting pathway.

His dedication and passion for the craft led him to UCW's BA Hons Performing Arts course, where he continued to hone his skills and develop as an artist. Join us as we dive into Paul's experiences, highlights, and aspirations as he continues his journey in the world of acting.

The Beginnings:

Paul's journey in the performing arts began with a UAL Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Weston College, where he excelled, earning a well-deserved Distinction. He then progressed onto UCW's BA Hons Performing Arts course.

Lecturers with Distinct Teaching Styles:

One aspect that truly stood out for Paul during his time with us, was the diverse set of lecturers he encountered during his time at UCW. Each lecturer possessed a distinct skill set and teaching style, which not only kept students engaged but also broadened their horizons.

Paull added on his experience: “Due to the patience and people around me, it meant I was able to learn at my own pace. Combined, I believe both courses supported the development of my understanding of the industry I want to break into, but, they also supplied me with the confidence and skills on how to realistically do that.”

Memorable Highlights:

Reflecting on his time at Weston College and UCW, Paul cherishes the memories of various performances: “My highlight at Weston College comes from the end of my first year, when we performed ‘The Wonderful World of Dissocia’, as I wasn't sure if I wanted to do acting when I started the course, but at the point of ‘Dissocia’ I had so much fun that I just knew my answer.

“UCW's highlight on the other hand is a hard one to pick, as I poured my heart into a lot of performances from ‘The Dumb Waiter’, ‘Angels in America’, ‘Tomcat’ and others.

“But the real highlight came just the night before my class’ performance of ‘The Castle’, in which we had raised all the money ourselves to go the Manchester Fringe, perform and stay there for 4 days. We all shared accommodation together and spent the night before playing silly games, laughing and reflecting on everything we had accomplished across the course. We all knew that this would be our last show on the course, but we were all prepared to give our all to round us off.”

The Present and Future:

Currently, Paul is actively pursuing acting opportunities, taking on featured roles and walk-on parts. His dedication to furthering his education is evident as he saves money to pursue an MFA at a Drama School. In addition to acting, he plans to collaborate with fellow student Craig, on writing and filming projects. Paul has also become a certified free running coach, contributing to the community by coaching at the only school offering free running in the area, Hans Price.

Featuring in Wolf:

Paul's journey took an exciting turn recently, when he received a text from Phoenix Casting, a company that presented him with script segments for a self-tape audition for the new BBC show, Wolf.

His talent and hard work paid off, and he was chosen for a role.

On set, he had the opportunity to interact with the cast and crew, gaining insights into their experiences and collecting valuable advice.

The Long-Term Dream:

Looking ahead, Paul's long-term dream is to become a recognised actor who can transport audiences on unforgettable journeys and adventures through his performances. His aspiration is to provide the same magic and inspiration that he found in the actors and movies he admired during his formative years.

If you would like to follow in Paul’s footsteps, and study a Performing Arts course, click the relevant link below:

Courses at Weston College

Courses at UCW