Creating brighter futures

As part of National Careers Week and Women in Construction Week, our Year 1 T Level learners in Design, Surveying, and Planning for Construction welcomed Georgia Thomson, Business Development Manager at Lancer Scott Facilities Management for a special guest lecturer. 

Georgia delivered an engaging and insightful presentation about her career journey in the construction industry. She shared the challenges she has faced and overcome as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, inspiring learners with her perseverance and achievements. 

Beyond her role at Lancer Scott, Georgia is an active committee member of the Women in Property organisation. She emphasised the importance of building a strong support network, encouraging learners to seek mentors, connect with peers, and engage with professional groups to enhance their careers. 

During the session, Georgia prompted discussion by asking learners what challenges women face in construction today and how more women could be encouraged to join the industry. This led to a thoughtful interaction among the students where they exchanged ideas. 

The session concluded with a Q&A, where learners had the opportunity to ask Georgia questions before expressing their gratitude for her time and invaluable insights into the industry. 

Daniel Comerford, one of our Construction Professions Lecturer, said, “Georgia’s talk was incredibly insightful and inspiring for our learners.  

“She provided a real-world perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the construction industry, particularly for women.  

“Her journey and advice on building a strong professional network resonated with our students, sparking meaningful discussions about inclusivity in the sector. We are grateful for her time and the valuable knowledge she shared.” 

Find out more about our Construction Professions courses, by clicking here.  

This guest speaker forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

The Student Conference was a special celebration dedicated to the Student Executives and Student Representatives, recognising their hard work, dedication, and the positive changes they have helped put in motion throughout the year. It provided an opportunity for student representatives, key college leaders, and selected learners to come together, share ideas, give feedback, and help shape the future of the college. 

The day began with a welcome talk from Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, who expressed thanks to the students for their efforts and acknowledged the changes they had driven within the college. Pat highlighted the importance of student voice and the impact of their contributions. 

Niya Thomas, the newly elected Students’ Union President, introduced herself next as well as the Student Executive team. She gave an overview of their individual roles and the dedication each member puts into their work. Niya's introduction was a reminder of every initiative the Students’ Union takes on. 

The event then welcomed guest speaker Adz Khan, whose inspirational story captivated the audience. He shared his incredible journey, from being falsely convicted for a crime at just 16 years old under the Joint Enterprise law and spending 7 years in prison, to educating himself in prison and becoming a successful business owner and motivational speaker. His session, titled My Kind of Criminal, explored his hardships and the lessons he learned along the way. 

Adz emphasised the importance of resilience, persistence, and staying positive, no matter the challenges faced. He spoke about his setbacks and how those experiences shaped his strength and character. “A setback is the setup for a comeback,” he told the students, encouraging them to view obstacles as opportunities. 

Throughout his talk, Adz left students with powerful reminders about success and positivity, “B+ is not my blood group, neither is it my grade in maths. It’s my favourite quote – be positive.” He reminded everyone that where you start doesn’t determine where you’ll end up, and success comes from consistency, resetting, and never quitting. 

Following the morning’s lectures, students enjoyed a buffet-style lunch made by the Level 2 Hospitality and Catering learners, giving the Student Reps and Executives time to relax and connect with peers from different campuses. 

The afternoon session began with a Student Values activity, where students reflected on what mattered most to them, ranking values to better understand what drives their decisions and ambitions. 

Vice Principals Ben Knocks and Edd Brown then led the next part of the conference, introducing the ‘You Said, We Did’ campaign. This session focused on strengthening the learner voice by reviewing the changes already made based on student feedback and exploring how the system could improve further. Students were given the opportunity to share their views, helping ensure that their input continues to shape the college’s future. 

The conference ended on a celebratory note with various student awards presented, recognising exceptional efforts within the Students’ Union and the wider community. Whether through hard work, leadership, or going above and beyond, students were applauded for their impact and dedication. 

Final thanks were given to the Student Engagement team, staff members, and most importantly, the students, for their commitment to their roles and the college. The Student Conference allowed students to connect, be inspired, and continue their journey of making a difference with the power of student voice.

Last month, Weston College proudly hosted the regional heats of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Competition. As one of several heats held across the UK, the event welcomed Further and Higher Education students, adult learners, and apprentices from Hairdressing and Makeup & Prosthetics courses across Weston, Bristol, and Bath to compete for a spot in the national finals. 

The all-day event featured a wide range of competitions spread throughout the college, challenging students in both technical skill and creativity. From haircuts and styling to makeup and prosthetics, each category pushed learners to demonstrate their expertise while showcasing their artistic flair. 

Hairdressing competitions were exclusive to Further Education students and varied in difficulty. Tasks ranged from commercial and feminine blow-dries, and cut and finish challenges, to more complex categories like freestyle work on textured hair and fantasy hairdressing. Each competition gave learners the opportunity to work independently, competing against their peers from across the South West under time pressure in a professional setting. 

Meanwhile, the Makeup & Prosthetics categories welcomed both FE and HE students, offering unique themes and complete creative freedom. Competitions included body painting, face painting, Editorial Vogue-inspired makeup, and Moulin Rouge designs. The diverse range of tasks allowed students to experiment with different techniques and media, creating original and innovative designs beyond the typical curriculum. 

Hospitality and Catering students also played an important role in the event, providing a delicious buffet that was praised by visiting colleges and guests. 

After a day of impressive displays of talent and creativity, the results were counted, and a small awards ceremony was held. Out of 90 students competing from across the South West, 13 Weston College learners secured their place in the finals, which will be held in Blackpool this May. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College and AHT Chair for the South West, highlighted the importance of competitions like this for students’ personal and professional development. She shared, “The AHT Competition helps to support our learners' careers, allowing them to meet like-minded people aspiring for the same career. It provides them with hands-on experience that enhances their skills and prepares them for the future.” 

A huge thank you goes to VTCT for sponsoring and judging the competition, Stylebook Directory for their support, and all the AHT judges and industry specialists who dedicated their time and expertise to the day. 

Congratulations to every student who took part in the competition, and best of luck to those heading to the finals. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Makeup & Prosthetics or Hairdressing & Barbering courses, click here.