<p>On the 15th of April, we launched our first Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) with UHBW (University Hospitals Bristol &amp; Weston) and it has been an overwhelming success!</p><p>The first two weeks covered a wide range of subjects and an insight into the various roles that are available within UHBW. The group learned how to work within a team, were introduced to the NHS Trust values, discussed equality and inclusion, and looked at the job roles that would best suit them.</p><p>At the start of Week 3, 22 learners gathered at the Education Centre in Bristol and were given interesting, fun and informative presentations by the UHBW Team. We learnt what it’s like to work in a busy hospital environment, the skills and behaviours required and the process for submitting a quality application.</p><p>Everyone fully engaged with the sessions, which resulted in some fantastic discussions, sharing of personal experiences and some amazing stories and reasons for wanting to work for UHBW!</p><p>We hope that many of the learners will go on to have a long and successful career within the NHS and we are already excited to welcome our next cohort, which begins on Monday 5th August.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We received an array of positive feedback from those who attended:</strong></p><p><em>“I think the course is brilliant and is a great insight to the NHS. The information is really useful for getting a job within the NHS.”</em></p><p><em>“I loved my course. Two weeks just flown by. Our Tutor was very patient with us. I felt more confident in myself and was inspired to work for the NHS.”</em></p><p><em>“All the Tutors are a great help in ensuring you understand. Niki has been very patient with everyone. Nike Taylor has provided a brilliant course and I feel very grateful to participate. I would highly recommend this course to other adults.”</em></p><p><em>“A short and detailed course run by Niki Taylor, who delivered the course so you have a full understanding and gain confidence in yourself.”</em></p><p><em>“The course is wonderful. I have got plenty of new information. I like and really enjoyed the rapport which Teachers built up with students. Thank you for these 2 incredible weeks.”</em></p><p><em>“Five Stars, Great Job Niki!”</em></p><p><em>“It was an interesting course, I enjoyed it and the tutor was helpful as well. It also created an avenue for meeting new people and socialising.”</em></p><p><em>“The course has been a great ‘across the board’ introduction of what goes on within the NHS and the topics that become more prevalent and relevant. It was well structured, and I felt supported throughout. It has been great to switch my brain on in a new way. It’s been excellent for my mental health.”</em></p><p><em>“The course is wonderful. I have got plenty of new information. I like and really enjoyed the rapport which teachers build up with students. Thank you for these 2 incredible weeks.”</em></p><p><em>“Very friendly and good information. Niki is a very helpful Tutor, and she explains everything so well.”</em></p><p><em>“The course was fantastic! Niki was brilliant and very knowledgeable, and I am so happy to have participated in the programme.”</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="UHBW Learners" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="515eb1c9-f275-432c-8c6b-28631a04962a" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><drupal-entity alt="UHBW learners" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08dc5124-3f31-4782-98d0-d5af9b69b948" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><drupal-entity alt="UHBW learners" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="729ff67d-22e3-43cb-bdd8-f1aa54bc7bb7" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><drupal-entity alt="Learners at UHBW." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70fe825f-36b2-4d77-8f39-51d74310e617" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity>

<p>Do you feel like you have missed your chance to go to university? Maybe you didn't get the necessary grades first time around, or maybe you feel it's too late? You can still go to university, at any age, by studying an <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… to HE</a> course!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>WHAT IS AN </strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… TO HIGHER EDUCATION</strong></a><strong> (HE) COURSE?</strong></p><p>It is a part-time course for adults to get the skills and qualifications to apply for university. Whether you are interested in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… science</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…;, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; or <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… sciences</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…;, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; or <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/computing-and-…;, we have a course for you.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GO TO UNIVERSITY!</strong></p><p>A degree can improve your employability and teach you a variety of skills that employers are looking for, such as analysis, research, managing time and budgets, networking and writing and communication skills. Having a degree also means you're more likely to get a higher-paid job.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ADDING TO LOANS AND DEBT, THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY!</strong></p><p>Student Finance England will ‘write off’ the loan you take to pay for an <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… to HE</a> course, provided you go on to successfully complete a university-level qualification. Plus, if you are looking at the getting a nursing qualification you can apply for a £5,000 a year maintenance grant/bursary.<br>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Here are some snippets of what our</strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; Access to HE </strong></a><strong>learners have to say about the courses...</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="richard with microscope" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19e41dd5-4374-4a6b-a598-cd697abea0e4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"I wanted to enter into a veterinary nursing programme but required higher-level qualifications. The Access course provided me with equivalents to the required A Level science subjects without having to attend daily classes."</p><p>"Through the course, I achieved the maximum number of distinction points and managed to secure a placement in Veterinary Science at the University of Bristol. I’m now on my way to becoming a veterinary surgeon. This wouldn’t be happening without the Access course."</p><p><em><strong>Richard</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="Andrea" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="425d4308-fa76-4ecb-beec-cc1de61afa77" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"The course reaffirmed my knowledge but also taught me much more about relevant legislation and up-to-date study material."</p><p>"It provided a definite connection between the work I do and the learning, allowing me to feel more confident within my practice."</p><p>"If it hadn’t been for my lecturer believing in me and encouraging me, I would never have felt confident enough in my abilities to pursue the master’s degree which I love.”</p><p>"If it hadn’t been for my lecturer believing in me and encouraging me, I would never have felt confident enough in my abilities to pursue the master’s degree which I love.”</p><p><em><strong>Andrea</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="James" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87679ad7-d3ba-498f-9a1f-9f01f1708138" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Being able to complete this course has increased my skill set and will benefit my work in the future."</p><p>"The welding facilities are fantastic, with modern welders, equipment, and PPE comparable to my current workspace – so highly relevant."</p><p>"I have been able to make contacts through this course with other individuals who work in complementary areas – these contacts are already proving fruitful."</p><p><em><strong>James</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="Marta" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45b5e2a4-d25a-488c-af50-ed8a5b0a1bdc" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"With aspirations to become a qualified beauty therapist/masseur, I saw Weston College as the perfect avenue to advance my career,"</p><p>"The programme is well-structured, the faculty are knowledgeable and supportive, and the resources available are excellent. Take advantage of networking opportunities, seek out internships or work placements, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.”</p><p><em><strong>Martia</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… here</u></strong></a><strong><u> to find out more about our Access to HE Courses!</u></strong></p>

<p>I’m Leslie Warren, a qualified Chartered Surveyor and currently an Asset Manager for a c.£4bn (AuM) UK property portfolio.</p><p>Last year when I was searching for a job, I attended the Weston College Takeover Day at the Job Centre, as I wanted to refresh my Microsoft Excel skills. Whilst there I found out about the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/employment-support">Pre-emplo… courses</a> on offer at the college and decided to apply.</p><p>The course was really beneficial to me, as I increased my skills in Excel, improved my CV, and I also found out about AI, and how this can be utilised to enhance job applications.</p><p>I used the AI elements of the course to create a PowerPoint presentation, which I then used in the interview to get the job I have now.</p><p>I enjoyed the course, met some lovely people, enjoyed visiting Weston College and benefited from what I learned there.</p><p>The teaching was excellent, the tutor able to disseminate information to a wide demographic with skill, patience, care and kindness shown at all times.</p><p>I now work nationally, from home most of the time, but with an office in Bristol and London that I visit weekly as well as completing site visits when required.</p><p>The type of tasks I complete include Asset-Evaluations, Options Appraisals (which are Board Reports that request a decision on a recommendation that I create), managing budgets, conducting and commissioning financial analysis, portfolio management and Net-Present-Valuations.</p><p>The part that I most enjoy about my job is when I identify an underperforming asset and my recommendation to dispose of it is approved by the board, and I then get the chance to financially prove myself by acquiring capital receipt from open market disposals that more than cover the cost of hiring me.</p><p>My time at Weston College brought me up to speed with contemporary norms and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have had the chance to learn.</p><p><em>Leslie.</em></p>