The field of Designing, Surveying and Planning in the Construction industry is a broad one, but highly important to the development of societies. The stages that go into construction require huge amounts of time and dedication, but ultimately results in great success!

This field is a great path to go down, and an increase in the workforce in this profession would be highly beneficial to the field, but one that includes more equality and balance would be a massive step forward for the reputation of construction. Construction is often seen as a ‘male’ job, and we want to help show that anyone, regardless of gender, can have a successful career in construction.

So, we want to present 5 reasons why this could be the perfect career choice for you, and kickstart your path in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning!

1. Important work! As previously mentioned, this line of work is highly important in supplying new homes and buildings for towns and cities as the demand increases, and pre-empting this demand with the planning aspect of the sector.

2. Keeping busy! This career choice will be demanding in terms of needing to be easily adaptable to picking up new skills, as it will likely be ever changing, and you’ll be expected to keep up with what’s expected of you. However, this will mean the job will not get boring, and you’ll always be kept busy!

3. Specialised qualifications to get you in the job! The courses, including apprenticeships, T Levels and transition programmes, are offered to both school leavers and adults by Weston College. These courses are specifically designed to prepare you for this career choice, with a great balance of academic college learning for the theory side, and workplace experience to provide you with practical knowledge.

4. Specialise in your strongest area! After selecting which course is best suited to you, and completing the course, you will be able to decide which aspect of the sector is best suited to your natural skillset, and which you could see being your future career. Opportunities in the industry could include civil engineering, technical surveyor, architect, building technician, building control officer, town planning assistant and geospatial technician, along with many more.

5. Financially beneficial! Some of the careers listed above have great starting salaries, with the opportunity to progress and gain more qualifications while you work, for example a degree with UCW. The more skilled you become in your chosen sector, the more you will be financially rewarded! Construction Site Managers can earn, on average, £47,500!

Over 2,500 employers who work with Weston College are looking to attract their future workforce and give our learners great opportunities to begin their careers. Work placements are often a great way to begin your career, so by studying courses with Weston College and undertaking work experience, we hope to make the process of securing a job smoother and easier!

Whether this is your first year at Weston College or you are a returning student, the information below will give you an overview of all the important information you need to start the new year.

Each year we start out with an induction that helps both new and returning learners get used to the College environment and start the academic year in a positive manner. For new students it’s important to have time to adjust, get to know people, understand how everything works, as well as find your way around. It is also a great way to ensure you are on the programme to achieve your career goals. Our induction helps you to do just that!
 

What will my induction programme include?

• Your induction programme is designed to prepare you for the programme you will study and life at College or with your employer if you are on an apprenticeship.
• You will be provided with a range of course related information including the different elements of your programme you will study, your timetable, a skills map, and an overview of your assessment requirements.
• It will include a range of activities that are course related, team building with your peers, ensuring you are clear on the behaviours and expectations while in College as well as health and safety, safeguarding and online safety.
• Your induction programme will develop your skills and confidence in using Microsoft Teams so that you can participate in the online and digital learning elements of your programme.
• After your first face-to-face day, induction activities will continue. This will include further face-to-face days, or you might be required to complete some online activities. The exact details of your full induction programme will be provided to you on your first induction day.
• Campus Freshers’ Fair – where you will find out about all the exciting things that come with being a Weston College learner.

What do I need to bring?

All learners will need to bring the following, though please see below any specific requirements for your programme:

• Pen and paper
• Lunch (or money to buy lunch), drinks bottle, drink and snacks
• Last school report (if you finished year 11 in 2022)

What you need to do before your first day 

The below are some key activities that you will need to have completed before your first day. For any help with the below, please contact your personal tutor via Teams.

1. Download the MyWeston app via the App Store or from Google Play.
2. Download the Microsoft Teams app via the App Store or from Google Play.
3. Log in to Office 365 with your college email and log-in and download your FREE Office 365 software.
4. If under 18 get your parents to complete the parent permission slip for trips and work experience and bring it with you on your first day.
5. If you are going to travel to college by bus, make sure you have purchased the necessary bus pass. All information can be found here.

Where do I need to go?

All learners who study with us in September 2022 will automatically become part of their subject area’s Career Excellence Hub, receiving unrivalled career benefits unique to Weston College that give you the opportunity to become career ready, get ahead and stand out from the crowd!

Simply select your Career Excellence Hub from the dropdowns below and you will see all the first day information for the programmes within that specific Career Excellence Hub.

Starting out on a new career path is one of the most exciting things a young person can ever do. The learning of new skills, meeting new people in all sorts of different jobs, going to new places, and embracing what’s to come. At Thatchers we really appreciate what an important step taking on a new career is, and through our Early Careers Programme one of the most important things we can do is listen, encourage and offer the best training around.

We know that we have a huge responsibility to make sure you’re receiving the best advice, the best mentoring, and the best opportunities. And we’re helping you unlock your future.

We’re so lucky at Thatchers to be able to offer a range of apprenticeships and traineeships all based here at Myrtle Farm. Whatever your skill set, whatever your ambitions, come and talk to us. Give it a go - we’d love to hear from you.

Our apprentices have learned how to be cider makers, how to care for our orchards, and how to be part of our successful commercial team. Every day is different at Myrtle Farm, and if we ask our apprentices what they’ve got out of being part of the Thatchers family, we hear words such as confidence, self-esteem, skills, getting the best of both worlds, experience – and a career within a growing, successful company.

If hospitality is where you see your future, then we’ve got some great opportunities at our beautiful pub and restaurant, The Railway Inn, here in Sandford.

Through our brand new traineeships we’ve set up with Weston College, we’re now able to offer more opportunities at The Railway Inn – what could be a better way to learn and develop your skills within hospitality and catering.

Are you a creative and see yourself using your flair and technical skills as part of a dynamic kitchen team? Or do you have a love for meeting and greeting new people, offering the highest levels of customer service, and experiencing the buzz and excitement of working at events?

If you’re following a catering course at Weston College, we’d love to hear from you. Being a part of our traineeship could lead to a full-time position with Thatchers, or perhaps could lead to one of our award-winning apprenticeships.

We’ve currently got positions for a Trainee Commis Chef, working closely with our head chef James and his brilliant team. We looking for someone who can work in a fast paced and high pressured environment, and who has a flair and passion for delivering high standards of food. Or are you someone who would thrive in a public facing role that requires good initiative and attentiveness towards providing top quality service to every single customer. If so, then one of our front of house roles working with Leigh and her enthusiastic and passionate team may be for you.

We know these are more than just jobs. They could be your future. So we’ll be running skills workshops, masterclasses and a host of other training opportunities that will complement your college learning, and will form the basis of an exciting future within the hospitality industry.

Check out our website, or chat to Weston College Recruitment team. We look forward to being a part of your future!

- Emma Cox, Thatchers Cider