Creating brighter futures

Last night (6th July), Weston College was crowned as the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, at the South West Apprenticeship Awards.

The South West Apprenticeship Awards, in their inaugural year, marked a significant milestone for the region. Previously, separate events such as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards (which Weston College has won four times in the past five years) and the South Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards celebrated the achievements of local apprentices and businesses. However, this year's expanded ceremony encompassed a broader area, recognising the outstanding contributions made by organisations and individuals in apprenticeship training across the region, in multiple industries.

The glittering event took place at the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby Club, Ashton Gate stadium, and was hosted by former Olympic athlete and revered television personality, Iwan Thomas.

With an atmosphere brimming with excitement and anticipation, attendees eagerly awaited the announcement of the award winners, each vying for recognition as the pinnacle of excellence in apprenticeship training.

Amongst the winners were several apprentices who are studying with Weston College, with winners including:

• George from Mott MacDonald, who won Apprentice of the Year (Construction & Property Industries) and South West Apprentice of the Year
• Lewis from MBDA, who won Apprentice of the Year (Technology, Digital & Creative Sector)

Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, expressed his delight at the achievements: “Winning the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year award is a tremendous honour for Weston College. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, learners, and employer partners who have consistently strived for excellence in apprenticeship training.

“The team at Weston College are truly dedicated to nurturing the talents and ambitions of our learners, and we champion equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.

“I am also delighted to see so many of our apprentices pick-up well-deserved awards too. Congratulations to George and Lewis, who have all shown that they have the skills, knowledge and attitude to achieve amazing things in their careers.”

If you would like to find out more about studying an apprenticeship with Weston College, click here.

Or if you are an employer who would like to discover how apprenticeships can support your business, click here. 

The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, visited South West Skills Campus this morning to greet and give well wishes to the brand-new learners in for their Welcome Day!

His presence at the college symbolised the town's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive educational environment for its students.

The Welcome Day gave the new learners the opportunity to meet their classmates, their teachers, and see the facilities ahead of their start date in September. Subject areas including Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Construction and more held a series of activities for the learners, to engage them in the topics and give a taste of what’s to come.

Following a short introduction from Richard Hanney, the Head of Construction, the Mayor spoke to the learners about the opportunities that lie ahead while studying at Weston College, the benefits of working in the Construction, Engineering or Motor Vehicle industry, and how he got to where he is now since his college days.

He was then given a tour of the fantastic facilities throughout South West Skills Campus, and immersed himself in the activities taking place, engaging with the learners as he made his way round the campus.

Richard Hanney told us after: “We were so grateful the Mayor could take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us on Welcome Day. His words were very inspiring, and his presence was very much appreciated on such an important day. We look forward to seeing the learners begin their courses in September, and having the Mayor at the college again in the future!”

Find out about our Construction courses, here.

T Levels are fast becoming one of the most popular avenues for gaining both experience in the industry and an academic qualification. With the digital world everchanging and evolving, learning from the experts within the industry, is the most effective way to develop knowledge and skills in the area.

We recently caught up with John Banks, T Levels and Skills Bootcamps Lead from the Apprenticeships Team at Lloyds Banking Group, who told us about their experience with T Levels so far!

“We first took on a T Level group in April 2022; we started at a smaller scale with just 6 students, but have scaled up to 70 placements in 2023. We have partner colleges in our key hub locations of Bristol, London, Manchester and Halifax.

“Overall, we have been so impressed with the application and initial tech competence of our digital learners. During placements, students have built chatbots, designed web pages and created code. They have also delivered presentations and organised team meetings and away days – we have been very impressed!

“We believe Lloyds Banking Group is a great opportunity for industry placement as we are so much more than the common misconception that we are ‘just a bank’; behind our high street presence there is an engine room of software developers, data analysts and cyber security teams who work on our customer applications and keep customer detail safe. There are plenty of tech roles for students to undertake and develop their technical skills. Whilst on placement the students also get a real feel for the workplace environment and develop key interpersonal and communication skills.

“We began working further with Weston College earlier this year as we expanded the T Level placement to our Bristol hub. We already have an existing relationship and share the same ethos and passion for early careers. What is impressive about the college is the learning environment they create for students and their dedication for creating opportunities for young people.

“I am a huge advocate of quality work placements and the value it gives to students. What I would say to anyone considering T Level placements is that it is a two-way street; as employers, we create the opportunity but we are also on the receiving end of fresh insight and access to talented young people, with the opportunity to create a pathway into a career which is particularly appealing in the tech space, given the digital skills shortage.”

Find out more about Digital T Levels, here!