Creating brighter futures

June 23rd marks an important day on the calendar for the engineering community and beyond – International Women in Engineering Day. This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions, achievements, and ongoing challenges faced by women in the field of engineering. It is a day to recognise and celebrate the remarkable women who have shattered glass ceilings and challenged stereotypes, while also highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Engineering has long been considered a male-dominated field, with women historically underrepresented in various engineering disciplines. However, at Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW), we are making conscious efforts to give the support and encouragement needed for women to pursue their dream career in the Engineering industry. This support has been in the form of scholarships, job opportunities and apprenticeships, encouraging women to break down the barriers and have a successful career in the industry.

One of the most significant challenges faced by women in engineering is the gender imbalance within the field. According to recent data from EngineeringUK, women make up only 16.5% of engineers in the UK. This disparity can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including societal stereotypes, lack of representation, unconscious bias, and systemic barriers. Women in Engineering Day serves as a platform to address these issues and advocate for change. By showcasing the accomplishments of women engineers and highlighting their stories, we can inspire more young women to consider engineering as a viable and rewarding career path.

Georgia was recently awarded a new Engineering and Green Skills scholarship, in partnership with the Luke Wheaton Trust, who impressed judges in her application with her love of engineering and desire to succeed.

When catching up with Georgia about the scholarship, she said: “I was so happy when I found out that I had been awarded the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust Scholarship.

“I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, as I have been able to meet apprentices from other companies as well as learning important skills about engineering and sustainability.

“I have enjoyed learning about different materials, their testing and application to different aircraft parts.

“When I complete my degree apprenticeship, I would like to further this understanding and research into material properties and look at cost effective and sustainable solutions to use in the aerospace industry.”

Another successful female engineer from within the college is Chloe, who’s job role is Engineering Assessor.

Chloe told us: “I was looking for an opportunity to develop my career in this direction when a perfect job came up at the college. This involved having more time directly influencing and developing up-and-coming engineers on their apprenticeships in a range of technical skills, within an often diverse and challenging environment.”

In recent years, efforts to increase gender diversity in engineering have gained momentum. The West of England Institute of Technology, for example, are 500% ahead of target in female learner numbers. By fostering an inclusive environment and breaking down barriers, these initiatives are helping to create a more diverse and vibrant engineering community.

While progress has undoubtedly been made, there is still work to be done. Women continue to face challenges such as unconscious bias, lack of representation in leadership positions, and the persistence of gender stereotypes. Recognising these obstacles and actively working to overcome them is crucial for achieving true gender parity in engineering. By embracing diversity, fostering an inclusive culture, and providing equal opportunities, we can harness the collective talents and perspectives of all individuals, irrespective of gender.

On International Women in Engineering Day, let us celebrate the achievements of women engineers, past and present, and acknowledge the incredible contributions they have made to society. It is a day to honour their resilience, brilliance, and innovation. But it is also a reminder that our efforts must extend beyond a single day. We must continue to advocate for equal opportunities, challenge gender biases, and support aspiring women engineers. By doing so, we can build a future where engineering is truly a field that embraces and empowers individuals of all genders.

Find out more about our engineering courses, by clicking here.

Weston-super-Mare's prestigious Winter Gardens venue played host to the highly anticipated Weston College Business Awards last night.

The event brought together 250 distinguished guests for an inspiring celebration of learners and local employers who have worked closely with the college to offer work-placed opportunities to people taking their first steps in their career.

The Winter Gardens was transformed into a hub of excitement and anticipation as attendees, including prominent figures from the local business community, educators, and local dignitaries, gathered to honour the outstanding achievements and commitment of individuals and businesses alike.

The attendees were treated to a motivational speech by Paralympic Gold medallist, Andy Lewis. His remarkable journey as an athlete and unwavering determination left a lasting impact on the audience.

Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, Sir Paul Phillips, who hosted the awards, said: “This year we received a record number of nominations and, while this made judging an unenviable task, it highlights the wealth of talent among our learners and the level of dedication and expertise within our employer network. 

“It was fantastic to celebrate the many successes of our work-based learners, who show outstanding commitment to their programmes. They are truly a credit to the College and their employers.   

“Working with key employers is critical for our local region, and it was a pleasure to recognise so many brilliant businesses.   

“I would like to say congratulations to all of our winners, who we are delighted to work closely with.”

The awards were presented across various categories, honouring exceptional apprentices, trainees, and industry placement learners who had demonstrated outstanding dedication and made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Winner of the Digital Apprentice of the Year Awards, Toby from Visit Somerset, said: “To be nominated for Digital Apprentice of the Year is mind blowing and to be recognised at these awards is a big accomplishment.

“I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to earn and learn at the same time. It has given me an opportunity to start my career and learn new skills for the workplace, but also personal skills such as self-confidence.”

The Overall Learner of the Year, Jess from VADO, added: “My apprenticeship provided me with a great opportunity to learn and develop. If I ever had any questions the team at Weston College were brilliant, they were easy to contact and always on hand to support.

“Once I completed my apprenticeship I was given a promotion as well, which was great!”

Additionally, employers were acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of learning and providing valuable opportunities to their workforce.

Matt Carpenter, from Future Stars Coaching, said: “We have been taking on apprentices for well over five years, and recently started taking on traineeships with Weston College. Every time I come to Weston College they seem to better themselves! It has been a brilliant night, with a brilliant guest speaker, and to come away with two awards (Traineeship Employer of the Year, and Josh winning Health, Sport and Community Apprentice of the Year) has been fantastic.”

Business Award winners list:

Learners

• Business, Finance and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year – Ruby from Thatchers Cider
• Construction Apprentice of the Year – Kash from Ashton Scaffolding Services
• Digital Apprentice of the Year – Toby from Visit Somerset
• Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year – Courtney from Serenity Hair & Beauty
• Health, Sport and Community Apprentice of the Year – Josh from Future Starts Coaching
• Industry Placement Learner of the Year – Christiana from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
• Into Work Learner of the Year – George from Southern Co-op and Dunstan House Inn
• Leadership and Management Apprentice of the Year – Jess from VADO
• Luke Wheaton Engineering Apprentice of the Year – Jonah from Rolls Royce
• Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year – Corey from Andy Hall Cars
• Pre-employment Learner of the Year – Lee
• Service Sectors Apprentice of the Year – Christie from Weston College
• Traineeship Learner of the Year – Lavar from UHBW

Employers

• Career Excellence Hub Employer of the Year – Hinkley Point C
• Inclusive Practice Employer of the Year – Puxton Park
• Industry Placement Employer of the Year – UHBW
• Large Employer of the Year – Avon Fire & Rescue
• Medium Employer of the Year – Thatchers Cider
• Pre-employment Employer of the Year – Somerset NHS Trust
• Small Employer of the Year – The Ginger Pig Kitchen
• Sustainability Partner of the Year – Burnham and Weston Energy
• Traineeship Employer of the Year – Future Stars Coaching
• Work Experience Employer of the Year – Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Overall Learner of the Year – Jess from VADO

Overall Employer of the Year – Avon Fire & Rescue

A big thank you to our sponsors, who have made this event possible: Honeyfield Property Services, Ashton Gate, Inspired Worx, Pace, Image Sign, Mindful Education, Gravity, and Puxton Park.

The Careers Advice Team here at Weston College introduced "My Future Month" earlier this year in March and we have been seeing the benefits ever since.

"My Future Month" combines virtual and face-to-face events to showcase various future opportunities available to our learners, including higher education, apprenticeships, gap years, and self-employment options.

To kick off the month, we provided a virtual program that offered learners a range of webinars, presentations, and talks. These resources were hosted on the Careers Advice Team's SharePoint site, enabling our learners to access information, advice, and guidance conveniently at any time, whether they were at college or at home.

As part of Weston College's "My Future Month," we hosted CareersFest 2023, a face-to-face event held in the Winter Gardens Ballroom. This college-wide gathering featured a marketplace with 28 industry representatives and 25 Higher Education Institutions. Over 1200 learners from Weston College, as well as groups of students from schools such as Priory Community School Academy, Broadoak Academy, Worle Community School Academy, and the King Alfred School Academy, attended the event.

The attendees had the opportunity to network with professionals, explore future career options, and discover various pathways. To encourage interaction with exhibitors, visitors participated in a Treasure Hunt, with a chance to win a prize. Imogen (Year 9 WCSA) and Freya (Year 11 Broadoak Academy) were the winning participants who received Amazon gift vouchers for their outstanding submissions.

Another exciting component of "My Future Month," was the Careers Advice Team’s CV competition that was open to all our full-time learners, as well as those undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship between the ages of 16 and 19. The judging process involved collaboration between the Careers Advice Team and one of our partners from the Careers Excellence Hub, Hays, who also participated in CareersFest. The winners and runners-up, who have just been announced, from Weston College, Jack, Will, Meghan, Adele, Lucy, and Tim were thrilled to receive £50 and £25 Amazon vouchers as prizes for their outstanding efforts.

Tony Bird, the UK&I Specialism Director at Hays commented,  

“I had the pleasure of judging the Weston College CV writing competition recently on behalf of Hays, which formed part of ‘My Future Month’. I was inspired by the efforts the candidates had gone to, and the CVs are sure to impress employers looking to attract talent in the Southwest. As a resident of Weston-super-Mare, it made me quite proud!”  

The Careers Advice Team were really pleased with the volume and quality of submissions for the competition and are delighted to have collaborated with Hays for this event and is testament to the huge amount of work that goes into ensuring our learners are in a good position to secure their brighter futures!