Creating brighter futures

Recently, a group of our year 1 Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level learners took to Birmingham to visit the UK Construction Week event at the National Exhibition Centre. 

This event is the UK’s largest built environment trade show, where construction professionals can explore the latest innovations, gain insights from across the industry and network with their peers, with over three leading brands being displayed. 

Learners were shown a variety of different products and materials, including electric diggers, fireproof materials, turnstiles, health and safety equipment and much more. This allowed the students to get a feel for everything, discover the international exhibitors’ products, and meet lots of new people. 

On top of this, there were also several gifts and freebies available from many of the stalls, including items like pens, pads, bags, tool kits, t-shirts, hats and caps, as well as a selection of sweets and chocolates which kept the excitement going throughout the day! 

All the learners actively engaged with everyone, talking to stall holders and asking questions regarding their products. The stall holders explained their exhibitions in detail to the students and were very impressed with our learners and the intuitive questions and incites they had.  

Daniel Comerford, a Construction lecturer at Weston College, said, “All of the learners on the trip had a great time at the show and enjoyed talking to all the different companies that were exhibiting.  

This improved their communication skills but also taught them about new and emerging products and technologies within the UK Construction Industry.” 

This day acted as a good introduction for their Construction T Level as it gave them a better understanding of not only the different available pathways they could enter, but also the existing companies and opportunities that they could experience both during their time at college and after. It also allowed the students to get to know each other better and work with peers that they may not have previously had the chance to get to know. 

Overall, the learners learnt a lot about new products and emerging technologies. They also got the chance to improve their professional skills by communicating with industry professionals and network with them for possible opportunities in the future. 

If you’re interested in applying to our Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning T Level in September, click here. 

Last month, three learners from our Into-Work and Welding programs achieved exceptional results at the National Finals of the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. This event was held in Manchester and tested students’ problem-solving, employability, and creativity skills, and our learners rose to the occasion with remarkable performances. 

Amber Hinton, a second-year Into-Work student with aspirations in childcare, competed in the Foundation Health and Social Care category. Despite being self-taught in this field, Amber’s performance was extraordinary. Competing against Level 2 students, she demonstrated NHS-standard handwashing techniques and tackled complex questions with confidence. Amber’s efforts earned her a well-deserved Bronze medal and 3rd place overall in her category—a testament to her determination and talent.  

Amber said, “my favourite part of the competition was meeting new people as I got to make friends with people in my category. I would do it all again 1000 times over and I feel like everyone should go through and experience it.”  

Jack Stevens, an Into-Work learner who transitioned from an internship to paid work at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity, competed in the Foundation Horticulture category. Tasked with creating six planters—three indoor and three outdoor—and merchandising his display with a seasonal garden centre theme, Jack showcased incredible creativity and precision, earning a fantastic 4th place within his category. 

Aidan Pocknell, a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, faced intense competition in a challenging category that tested both his skill and his composure under pressure. His impeccable welds and strong work ethic earned him a Highly Commended award, highlighting his dedication and craftsmanship.

Aidan said, “it went very well! I was awarded Highly Commended and placed 6th out of 10 participants. I’m very happy with how I performed overall! There were a few moments where I felt overwhelmed during the competition, but I overcame them. In the end it was all worth it and it was a great experience that I would encourage anyone to participate in if they get the chance.”

These achievements demonstrate the impact of the Into-Work and Welding programs. From providing the skills necessary to excel in competitive environments to inspiring personal growth, these programs are empowering learners to reach their full potential.

For Jack and Amber, the experience was even more remarkable as it marked their first visit to a major city, making their accomplishments at the WorldSkills Finals a milestone in their educational and personal journeys.

Congratulations to Amber, Jack, and Aidan for their outstanding achievements. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and support come together. 

Hi, I’m Nick, and I am a Maintenance Controller in the Operational Engineering Department at The Bristol Port Company.

I joined The Bristol Port Company in 2015 as a mechanical engineer. I was employed primarily as a crane engineer but also maintained and repaired other kit such as conveyors, blenders and roller/hammer mills. After years of working as a production engineer on FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) production lines this was my first foray into heavy engineering, but I relished the new challenge.

After approximately 5 years as an engineer, I applied for the role of Maintenance Controller and was successful! I have now been in this role for over five years. My responsibilities now include managing a team of engineers, planning maintenance, sourcing spares, liaising with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers, issuing permits-to-work and writing risk assessments and method statements.

This was my first experience as a manager, so the head of Operational Engineering (my boss) told me about the ILM Leadership and Management apprenticeship, then encouraged me to do it, as he felt it would be beneficial to me in my new role as a manager.

The apprenticeship has helped me in the workplace significantly. I am now better equipped to deal with all the trials and tribulations that are thrown at you as a manager. During my apprenticeship I learnt many new methods and was given proven models to use in my everyday life at work. These help me manage people, my time and my tasks more efficiently and enable me to be more emotionally intelligent when dealing with personnel issues.

An example of a standout moments from your apprenticeship was the outward-bound course in the Lake District. It was fun and challenging at the same time. Also, spending time with employees from other departments of the company really improved our working relationships. I was able to learn about effective leadership in a hands-on environment.

Weston College provided robust support throughout the apprenticeship. Before starting, they guided me through the enrolment process and outlined what to expect. During the program, I had access to a dedicated mentor, regular check-ins, and resources tailored to my role. After completing the apprenticeship, they continued to offer workshops and networking opportunities to ensure I stayed updated with best practices.

After my apprenticeship, transitioning fully into my Maintenance Controller role felt seamless. The knowledge and skills I had gained during the programme gave me confidence in managing my team, planning maintenance tasks, and handling supplier negotiations. I felt more prepared to take ownership of my responsibilities and lead effectively.

My time at Bristol Port has brought unexpected opportunities, such as being invited to participate in high-level strategic planning sessions. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to mentor newer engineers and apprentices.

Working at Bristol Port comes with several benefits, including job stability, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture. The company also provides competitive pay, training programmes, and access to resources that help in both personal and professional development.

My future aspirations are to continue learning, and to shadow the Head of Operational Engineering to enable me to effectively stand in for him in his absence. I also hope to play a more significant role in shaping long-term maintenance strategies and mentoring young engineers and apprentices at Bristol Port.

I would highly recommend doing a leadership apprenticeship! The apprenticeship not only equips you with practical skills but also builds your confidence and emotional intelligence as a manager. It’s a worthwhile investment in your career and offers tools that can be applied immediately to improve your professional performance.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.