Creating brighter futures

My name is Beth, and I completed the ILM Leadership and Management Diploma course through the partnership of Weston College and the University of the West of England (UWE).

I had been looking at courses to support progression, and decided a leadership/management course could help me achieve that, and gain the knowledge and confidence to begin applying for a management role. I researched many different courses and colleges, but finding an Instagram advert for Weston College was ultimately what led me to choose them.

Working with Weston College and UWE was ideal due to both being known for their wonderful teaching and facilities, plus studying at UWE was very convenient due to the close proximity to where I live. This partnership is so great, as it provides more accessibility to the course, as it is held across both sites, maximising the facilities and teaching that are available.

My favourite part of how the course is run was the mix of face-to-face and online. I really enjoyed the face-to-face lessons as it gave me the opportunity to meet other people, and for us to share and discuss elements of the topics being taught. On the other hand, some being held online made it easier to fit into work and life schedules.

My advice to someone considering the course is to do it! It's perfect if you’re aiming to build confidence and develop skills surrounding management, it will provide you with the tools, techniques and skills. You will need to carefully manage your time as there are lots of assignments, but the support you’ll receive from tutors is unmatched!

Completing this course allowed me to secure a senior role within my team, and given me the skills and knowledge to confidently run the project team. The course enabled me to approach tasks with more structure and organisation. I was also able to apply this logic to my assignments and personal life too, which has helped me out loads. My goal now is to step into a management role.

Overall, the support I received, particularly from my tutor, was second to none. I couldn’t have stepped into the senior role I’m in now without the confidence that completing this course gave me!

Beth, Senior Operations Administrator, Atomos

The course that Beth studied is part of the National Skills Fund, which provides learners aged 19+ an opportunity to access their first full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an A Level) for free. This fund provides access to qualifications that will help support people back into work.

If you are interested in studying with Weston College and UWE, view the courses available, here!

The Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, Weston College has announced that they are planning to enrol 300 apprentices across the South West in just 50 days.

The College who are well known for their ambitious apprenticeship campaigns, support over 2,000 employers each year and are driving the apprenticeship agenda in the region.

It has been well reported that the UK is experiencing the ‘Great Resignation’, with many employers looking into ways to engage their staff through staff development. Apprenticeships can offer a way of upskilling existing staff, as well as bringing in new recruits and creating an energetic and skilled future workforce.

The campaign itself is starting on 26th September 2022 and will run until 25th November 2022. Throughout the campaign the College will be sharing apprenticeship success stories, as well as updating the progress of the campaign on social media, highlighting which employers are taking on apprentices and/or upskilling their existing staff.

Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “We are passionate about creating brighter futures, and are really excited to be launching this campaign, continuing to buck the apprenticeship trend.

“We all know how difficult it can be to recruit, but with apprenticeships you can bring in a brand-new generation of employees to your organisation, or you can upskill your existing staff through bespoke initiatives.

“With the rising cost of living, we are seeing that individuals want to broaden their horizons to increase their earning capacity. Apprenticeships provide people the opportunity to earn while they learn and can be a fantastic way of keeping existing staff that want to progress.

“At Weston College we offer over 50 different apprenticeship standards, ranging from Level 2 to degree-level, and we would be delighted to work with anyone that needs support.”

Find out more about the campaign, and get involved, by clicking here: www.weston.ac.uk/300in50

With so many courses available, it can sometimes be difficult to choose what to do! A good place to start might be looking at types of qualifications and working out which is going to be right for you. Ahead of attending our careers showcase 'What Next?' on Wednesday 28th September, it might be worth learning the difference between the types of programmes we offer before talking to employers at this event.

Click below to learn more about each qualification, or scroll down to watch back our livestream videos, explaining the differences between each one. 

• T Levels
• A Levels
• Apprenticeships
• Vocational Courses (Extended Diplomas and BTECs)

Click here to learn more about 'What Next?' and register to attend.