Weston College has a wide range of courses to suit all learning styles
Weston College is an award-winning college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare. It provides education and vocational training to nearly 30,000 learners across the country.
We put the learner first and are entrepreneurial in our approach and innovative in our thinking. As a college, we are ambitious and aspirational and are responsive to the needs of students, staff, businesses, and the community.
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There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses. Stay up to date on our latest news.
Over the last year, Weston College students have been given the opportunity to work with some great businesses on live project briefs.
These ‘real-life’ assignments have included creating videos and working on websites.
Students have worked particularly closely with Visit Somerset, who produce a website promoting Somerset as a tourism destination. Here, John Turner, CEO of Visit Somerset, explains more about the students’ work and the partnership with the College.
The working relationship that Visit Somerset has with Weston College is possibly one of the most progressive and dynamic that we currently have within the county.
Both organisations are working closely to ensure that we are not only empowering businesses through combined social mobility and digital strategy, but – just as importantly – empowering and giving opportunity to the next generation. Students are gaining vital vocational skills, which will help them attain the confidence and employability skills they need for their future careers.
Weston College students are helping support three key facets of Visit Somerset strategy:
• Helping with disability awareness through our social inclusivity strategy, which involves ‘signing’ for film developments, supporting our conferences and updating members on the latest disability awareness opportunities and courses.
• Digital students have been creating new websites for our SME members, whilst also providing ongoing maintenance. This will allow the £500 million accommodation industry in Somerset to finally get the vital support it needs to compete against online travel agents. With the support of Weston College students, we are already making considerable improvements to help empower and train SMEs so they can create sustainable futures for themselves. And, at the same time, we’re giving students the opportunity to experience key client relationships and build their all-important interpersonal skills.
• Students have also enjoyed helping shape the new Visit Somerset official county website, creating video content to help market the important meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry and our accommodation sector. They’ve also created image-led, content-rich videography to help market the county’s overall beauty.
At 18 months old, this relationship is still only in its infancy. However, we have already achieved so much together. Both organisations and their teams and, most importantly, the students, should be deeply proud of their efforts and their incredible abilities. One thing I always remind students of is that the only barriers to your success are those that appear in your mind.
If you would like to offer a live project brief to our students, you can pledge here.
Weston College toasted the outstanding success of learners and employer partners at its annual Business Awards on Thursday (June 20).
Winners from a range of categories were presented with awards at the Oscars-style event at the Winter Gardens.
Guests – including students, employers and local dignitaries – enjoyed a three-course dinner and heard an inspirational keynote talk from Nick Elston, one of the country’s most renowned speakers on the subjects of anxiety, mental health and well-being.
Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, Dr 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.
“This year’s event is also notable as it fell between the opening of two significant new training facilities – the Construction Training Centre and Health and Active Living Centre. These state-of-the-art resources will provide huge benefits for learners, businesses and the community as a whole.”
It was an evening to remember for Thatchers Cider apprentice Molly O’Flaherty, 17 who was named Overall Learner of the Year and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year. Molly, who is completing a Customer Services Apprenticeship, was singled out for her maturity, work-ethic and passion to learn.
Molly said: “I am delighted to have won this award, as it shows how far I have come over such a short period of time with Thatchers.
“The support I have received from Weston College and Thatchers has been excellent, and I can’t wait to continue my development with such a great employer.”
Thatchers Cider made it a ‘quadruple’ celebration by picking up the Overall Employer and New Apprentice Employer of the Year awards.
Emma Cox, Training and Development Manager at Thatchers Cider, said: “At Thatchers we are committed to supporting young people and providing them with an opportunity to develop their skills.
“Being recognised for this award is testament to the hard work that we have put in, the dedication of the learners and the support we have received from Weston College in creating a bespoke programme to suit our business needs.”
The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain (NCO) was recognised as Industry Placement Employer of the year. Sophie Lewis, Managing Director at NCO, commented: “The Industry Placement programme has had a really positive impact on NCO. As a charity we have benefitted from additional capacity and fresh perspectives through our placement who immediately became a fantastic addition to our team.
“We are thrilled to win this award and look forward to engaging with the programme further in the future.”
Business Award winners list:
Employer awards
Small Employer of the Year – Ridgeway House
Medium Employer of the Year – YMCA Barley Wood Day Nursery
Large Employer of the Year – SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
New Apprentice Employer of the Year – Thatchers Cider
Industry Placement Employer of the Year – National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain
Work Experience Employer of the Year – Visit Somerset
Traineeship Employer of the Year – University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Pre-employment Employer of the Year – OCS Group
Disability Confident Employer of the Year – Weston Museum
Inspiring Future Talent Employer of the Year – OnPoint Barbers
Commercial Training Employer of the Year – Kings Heavy Haulage of Bristol)
Overall Employer of the Year – Thatchers Cider
Learners awards
Construction Apprentice of the Year – Patrick Hollritt, of John Mansfield Electrical
Digital Apprentice of the Year – Sean Haberfield, of Osborne Clarke
Early Years and Education Apprentice of the Year – Charlotte Redstone, of King Alfred School
Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year – Matthew Vicarage, of Ipeco Composites
Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year – George Sheppard, of OnPoint Barbers
Hospitality and Food Industry Apprentice of the Year – Chris Barry, of St Monica Trust
Industry Placement Learner of the Year – Olivia Farley of Green Pastures Veterinary Centre
Leadership Apprentice of the Year – Mark Cordy, of Bradbury House
Professional Services Apprentice of the Year – Molly O'Flaherty, of Thatchers Cider
SEND Learner into Employment Student of the Year – Jack Tiley, of Lasseter's restaurant
Sport, Health, Lab Tech and Social Care Apprentice of the Year – Rebecca Twinney of Royal United Hospital, Bath
Traineeship Learner of the Year – Holly Griffiths, of Ready Steady Go Nursery
Transport and Logistics Learner of the Year – Harrison King, of Kings Heavy Haulage
Overall Learner of the Year – Molly O'Flaherty, of Thatchers Cider
Did you know that we offer pre-employment training to people that don’t have qualifications, and may not have any experience?
We asked our Referral Advisor for the Pre-employment team, Emma Crandon, some questions to give a better understanding on what they offer.
Where are you based?
I am based at Weston College’s South West Skills Campus, but I also visit the Weston-super-Mare Job Centre every Tuesday, Clevedon Job Centre every other Thursday, and hold sessions at the local food bank as well.
What support do you offer?
We offer a wide range of courses, and they are free to people that are unemployed, receiving benefits, or in a job earning less than £16,009.50 per year. These courses are beneficial in many ways; you can upskill, build confidence, open up employment opportunities and most importantly – become more employable.
How can people access this support?
The support we offer, is very easy to access. Job coaches are aware of our courses, and they can always refer you to a course that will benefit you. I also visit the Job Centres, so feel free to come and say hello or book an appointment and we can chat about ways to support you.
If you would like to get in touch, you can call me on 07580857699 or email me, emma.crandon@weston.ac.uk.
Why should people get in touch and ask for support?
If you are unemployed and looking for work, we can help you to gain qualifications and the confidence needed to find a job. We try and run our sessions during school time, and we also offer one to one support.
What has been your highlight of the job?
When you see people that have been out of work for years, their confidence is usually really low and they feel like they are unemployable. Helping these people gain skills, confidence and progress into jobs, is a specific highlight of my job.
Is there anything that you would like to add?
If you are interested in any of our courses please get in touch with me, and I will be happy to help.
You can find out more about our pre-employment courses, by clicking here.
We know it’s not about the course you take, but the career you’ll start your journey towards. Your study programme is built from the ground up with your future in mind, focussing on employability and developing the skills you need to have a successful career within your chosen industry, making
connections and gaining experiences through local and national employers we work with:
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As a Weston College student, you will become part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs.
This means our courses aren't just courses... your study programme is built from the ground up with your future in mind, focussing on employability and developing the skills you need to have a successful career within your chosen industry...
"The college organised lots of amazing experiences for us with specialist guest lectures on sepsis, home care, nutrition and bee therapy"
Chloe
Health and Social Care, Level 2 & 3
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One Message, Different Voices
Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.
Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.
Over the last year, Weston College students have been given the opportunity to work with some great businesses on live project briefs.
These ‘real-life’ assignments have included creating videos and working on websites.
Students have worked particularly closely with Visit Somerset, who produce a website promoting Somerset as a tourism destination. Here, John Turner, CEO of Visit Somerset, explains more about the students’ work and the partnership with the College.
The working relationship that Visit Somerset has with Weston College is possibly one of the most progressive and dynamic that we currently have within the county.
Both organisations are working closely to ensure that we are not only empowering businesses through combined social mobility and digital strategy, but – just as importantly – empowering and giving opportunity to the next generation. Students are gaining vital vocational skills, which will help them attain the confidence and employability skills they need for their future careers.
Weston College students are helping support three key facets of Visit Somerset strategy:
• Helping with disability awareness through our social inclusivity strategy, which involves ‘signing’ for film developments, supporting our conferences and updating members on the latest disability awareness opportunities and courses.
• Digital students have been creating new websites for our SME members, whilst also providing ongoing maintenance. This will allow the £500 million accommodation industry in Somerset to finally get the vital support it needs to compete against online travel agents. With the support of Weston College students, we are already making considerable improvements to help empower and train SMEs so they can create sustainable futures for themselves. And, at the same time, we’re giving students the opportunity to experience key client relationships and build their all-important interpersonal skills.
• Students have also enjoyed helping shape the new Visit Somerset official county website, creating video content to help market the important meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry and our accommodation sector. They’ve also created image-led, content-rich videography to help market the county’s overall beauty.
At 18 months old, this relationship is still only in its infancy. However, we have already achieved so much together. Both organisations and their teams and, most importantly, the students, should be deeply proud of their efforts and their incredible abilities. One thing I always remind students of is that the only barriers to your success are those that appear in your mind.
If you would like to offer a live project brief to our students, you can pledge here.
Weston College toasted the outstanding success of learners and employer partners at its annual Business Awards on Thursday (June 20).
Winners from a range of categories were presented with awards at the Oscars-style event at the Winter Gardens.
Guests – including students, employers and local dignitaries – enjoyed a three-course dinner and heard an inspirational keynote talk from Nick Elston, one of the country’s most renowned speakers on the subjects of anxiety, mental health and well-being.
Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, Dr 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.
“This year’s event is also notable as it fell between the opening of two significant new training facilities – the Construction Training Centre and Health and Active Living Centre. These state-of-the-art resources will provide huge benefits for learners, businesses and the community as a whole.”
It was an evening to remember for Thatchers Cider apprentice Molly O’Flaherty, 17 who was named Overall Learner of the Year and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year. Molly, who is completing a Customer Services Apprenticeship, was singled out for her maturity, work-ethic and passion to learn.
Molly said: “I am delighted to have won this award, as it shows how far I have come over such a short period of time with Thatchers.
“The support I have received from Weston College and Thatchers has been excellent, and I can’t wait to continue my development with such a great employer.”
Thatchers Cider made it a ‘quadruple’ celebration by picking up the Overall Employer and New Apprentice Employer of the Year awards.
Emma Cox, Training and Development Manager at Thatchers Cider, said: “At Thatchers we are committed to supporting young people and providing them with an opportunity to develop their skills.
“Being recognised for this award is testament to the hard work that we have put in, the dedication of the learners and the support we have received from Weston College in creating a bespoke programme to suit our business needs.”
The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain (NCO) was recognised as Industry Placement Employer of the year. Sophie Lewis, Managing Director at NCO, commented: “The Industry Placement programme has had a really positive impact on NCO. As a charity we have benefitted from additional capacity and fresh perspectives through our placement who immediately became a fantastic addition to our team.
“We are thrilled to win this award and look forward to engaging with the programme further in the future.”
Business Award winners list:
Employer awards
Small Employer of the Year – Ridgeway House
Medium Employer of the Year – YMCA Barley Wood Day Nursery
Large Employer of the Year – SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
New Apprentice Employer of the Year – Thatchers Cider
Industry Placement Employer of the Year – National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain
Work Experience Employer of the Year – Visit Somerset
Traineeship Employer of the Year – University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Pre-employment Employer of the Year – OCS Group
Disability Confident Employer of the Year – Weston Museum
Inspiring Future Talent Employer of the Year – OnPoint Barbers
Commercial Training Employer of the Year – Kings Heavy Haulage of Bristol)
Overall Employer of the Year – Thatchers Cider
Learners awards
Construction Apprentice of the Year – Patrick Hollritt, of John Mansfield Electrical
Digital Apprentice of the Year – Sean Haberfield, of Osborne Clarke
Early Years and Education Apprentice of the Year – Charlotte Redstone, of King Alfred School
Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year – Matthew Vicarage, of Ipeco Composites
Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year – George Sheppard, of OnPoint Barbers
Hospitality and Food Industry Apprentice of the Year – Chris Barry, of St Monica Trust
Industry Placement Learner of the Year – Olivia Farley of Green Pastures Veterinary Centre
Leadership Apprentice of the Year – Mark Cordy, of Bradbury House
Professional Services Apprentice of the Year – Molly O'Flaherty, of Thatchers Cider
SEND Learner into Employment Student of the Year – Jack Tiley, of Lasseter's restaurant
Sport, Health, Lab Tech and Social Care Apprentice of the Year – Rebecca Twinney of Royal United Hospital, Bath
Traineeship Learner of the Year – Holly Griffiths, of Ready Steady Go Nursery
Transport and Logistics Learner of the Year – Harrison King, of Kings Heavy Haulage
Overall Learner of the Year – Molly O'Flaherty, of Thatchers Cider
Did you know that we offer pre-employment training to people that don’t have qualifications, and may not have any experience?
We asked our Referral Advisor for the Pre-employment team, Emma Crandon, some questions to give a better understanding on what they offer.
Where are you based?
I am based at Weston College’s South West Skills Campus, but I also visit the Weston-super-Mare Job Centre every Tuesday, Clevedon Job Centre every other Thursday, and hold sessions at the local food bank as well.
What support do you offer?
We offer a wide range of courses, and they are free to people that are unemployed, receiving benefits, or in a job earning less than £16,009.50 per year. These courses are beneficial in many ways; you can upskill, build confidence, open up employment opportunities and most importantly – become more employable.
How can people access this support?
The support we offer, is very easy to access. Job coaches are aware of our courses, and they can always refer you to a course that will benefit you. I also visit the Job Centres, so feel free to come and say hello or book an appointment and we can chat about ways to support you.
If you would like to get in touch, you can call me on 07580857699 or email me, emma.crandon@weston.ac.uk.
Why should people get in touch and ask for support?
If you are unemployed and looking for work, we can help you to gain qualifications and the confidence needed to find a job. We try and run our sessions during school time, and we also offer one to one support.
What has been your highlight of the job?
When you see people that have been out of work for years, their confidence is usually really low and they feel like they are unemployable. Helping these people gain skills, confidence and progress into jobs, is a specific highlight of my job.
Is there anything that you would like to add?
If you are interested in any of our courses please get in touch with me, and I will be happy to help.
You can find out more about our pre-employment courses, by clicking here.
By submitting this form you are consenting to Weston College recording and processing the personal information on this form, for any purposes of the college associated with the provision of advice and guidance to potential students on the range of courses available to them, college facilities and any other associated information. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, the information will only be used for the above mentioned purposes.
You will need to complete a full enrolment form prior to starting your course.
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By submitting this form you are consenting to Weston College recording and processing the personal information on this form, for any purposes of the college associated with the provision of advice and guidance to potential students on the range of courses available to them, college facilities and any other associated information. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, the information will only be used for the above mentioned purposes.
You will need to complete a full enrolment form prior to starting your course.
