LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES
There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses.
Stay up to date on our latest news here or check us out across social media.
On Wednesday we welcomed Ben, from the Royal Navy to talk to students in their first and second year from the Public Services Career Excellence Hub.
It was a fascinating insight into what a career in the Royal Navy is like, with Ben delivering a session on his experiences, covering aspects such as training and traveling. He also shared the wide variety of career paths with the Royal Navy.
Learners were fully engaged, and were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Ben, who gave an honest assessment on life within the Royal Navy, which inspired learners. Key themes brought up included how special it is to be part of the Royal Navy, how teamwork is a critical part of the career and also how it is an honour to protect the nation.
Learners from our Public Services courses go into a range of careers, from the emergency services to the military, and we feel it is important to provide learners with the opportunity to engage with industry and get a deeper understanding into what each career is like.
A big thank you to Ben for visiting us.
Find out more about our Public Services courses, by clicking here.
Scaffolding apprentices training at the Construction Training Centre, are going from strength to strength.
Before the Construction Training Centre opened, learners from the South West had long distances to travel in order to gain scaffolding accreditation, but now that is not the case.
Delivered in partnership with SIMIAN, the Scaffolding Apprenticeship is accredited to the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). On the apprenticeship, learners develop their knowledge and work-based skills focusing on health and safety; handling, stacking, servicing and inspecting scaffolding materials.
Last year we started working Apex Scaffolding, and four of their apprentices are thriving as a result.
Curtis is currently at Stage 1a of his apprenticeship. He is particularly enjoying the hands-on aspect of the course and being part of a team that allows him to gain the valuable skills necessary for supporting colleagues as and when needed.
Kieran and Sam are currently at Stage 1b of their course, and both enjoy the wide variety of sites and project that a scaffolding career allows them to work on.
Charlie is in the very initial stages of his apprenticeship but is eager to learn more throughout the course at the Weston centre.
Matthew Cousins, Commercial Director at Apex Scaffolding, has said: “For anyone who is considering the apprenticeship route to becoming a scaffolder, the team have shown they’re able to provide excellent tuition, especially when candidates require the extra functional skills course of English and Maths.”
Are you looking for your next step in becoming a healthcare professional? We have some great news for you!
At Weston College, we believe that a T Level in Health is the perfect course to help you gain vital skills, develop professional AND academic knowledge and kickstart your career!
Delivered at our Health and Active Living Skills Centre (HALSC), Health T Level learners benefit from our top-of-the-range, industry-standard facilities. These include the Immersive Simulation Room – built to act as preparation for a real hospital environment.
Studying a T Level in Health means you'll get the best of both worlds: a top-notch technical qualification, plus real-world experience that will give you a competitive edge when it comes to career development.
T Levels are now considered the new gold standard in technical qualifications, a key part of training the next wave of healthcare workers. Our courses are designed in collaboration with leading industry professionals to provide you with the skills you need to succeed in a career in health.
Students studying Health T Level are given the opportunity to work within the health industry, with many learners completing placements at hospitals and clinics like BRI, Weston and Sirona across areas such as cardiology, orthopaedics and trauma.
Within these highly sought-after placements, students are encouraged to learn about physical diagnosis and treatment with the support of experienced nurses, doctors and other health professionals. This way of studying pushes our learners to develop their technical knowledge by learning about medical equipment and clinical tasks, as well as about the patients themselves. Learners gain experience working with people from different backgrounds and become more familiar and confident in understanding a range of patient needs and how to approach them.
With this in mind, we’re shining a spotlight on our amazing second year Health T Level learners by celebrating the shining success they’ve had throughout their recent industry placements at BRI, Weston and Sirona.
Industry professional mentors have given our learners, Rubie, Bella, Maddie, Ellie, Chris and Maya, glowing reviews – stating they are “amazing and confident! They are able to speak to patients, support with observations, answer call bells and monitor food and fluid intakes. They have integrated into the team and have shown such enthusiasm to learn and ask questions.”
We also caught up with learner, Christiana, who told us:
“My work placement was at Weston General Hospital
I absolutely loved it, having hands on experience in the hospital was so beneficial to my education and supported me in learning how to apply what I learnt in college to real life. The staff were all so welcoming and eager to show me the ropes.
My favourite part of my placement was learning the tricks of the trade and using the different equipment in a clinical setting. I also enjoyed exploring different parts of the hospital such as radiology and the surgical department and talking to different members of the multidisciplinary team.”
Amazing stuff!
To find out more about why you should study a T Level in Health, click here.
To discover more opportunities in T Levels, click here.
Last Wednesday, we welcomed Hydrock to our South West Skills Campus, to inspire our T Level learners from Engineering and Civil Engineering.
Employer engagement and focussing on careers is a key part of our course delivery, with learners gaining insight from industry to enhance their learning experience.
Hydrock who are passionate about addressing global challenges through smart engineering solutions, delivered three engaging sessions to our learners, which focussed on sustainability, and also developing key soft skills required by employers.
The sessions included:
- Future Communities – learners designed their own community
- Soft Skills Development – several activities which aimed to develop communication, empathy and assertiveness
- Career and CV Workshop
Dave LeFeuvre, Subject Area Manager for Building Services, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Hydrock, who delivered some really creative activities for our learners, which got them thinking outside the box to tackle challenges. The learners have commented on how beneficial they found the experience.
“On the back of this session, several of our learners are now looking to complete their industry placement with Hydrock, which is fantastic news.
“At Weston College we feel it is important to connect our students with employers, to bring industry to life in the classroom.”
Find out more about our T Level courses by click the course of interest, below.
Are you interested in pursuing a qualification that not only gives you in-depth knowledge and understanding in the classroom, but also utilises the workplace to help you learn and develop?
A T Level could be the best pathway for you!
Weston College offers a vast range of exciting and industry-relevant T Level courses. From Accounting to Education and Childcare, you can progress towards a career in any field you choose while gaining real-world experience!
Created with industry in mind, T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need. To find out more about the wide range of T Levels on offer at Weston College, click here.
Recently we sat down with second year Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning learner, Josh, to find out about his experience studying a T Level at Weston College.
Designed and developed in collaboration with key employers from the construction sector, such as Wessex Water, Galliford Try and Balfour Beatty, the T Level Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning programme is a mixture of college and work-based learning. This gives our learners the technical skills and workplace experience they need to kick-start their construction career.
Josh, who is currently thriving in a work placement with Real Group Ltd. in Bristol, tells us how he was drawn to T Level study due to the experience you can gain.
Real Group Ltd. Is a contractor, developer and investor company that works in partnership with local authorities, registered providers and private clients to create high-quality, vibrant communities.
Josh explains:
“At Real Group Ltd. I am responsible for a vast swathe of things, mainly take-offs for fire stopping, paint, skirting/architrave, and payment notices for sub-contractors. I very much enjoy it and I really feel like a valued member of the team.”
We also asked Josh; how has your course helped equip you for the workplace?
“I've learnt the early stages of Quantity Surveying work, which is getting utilised to its fullest here!
My plans, after T Levels, are a degree apprenticeship with a construction firm doing Quantity Surveying. with the relationships I've made within my placement, I'm sure there will be some firms who would run at the chance to take me on.”
Is there any advice you would like to give someone thinking about embarking on a T Level in Design Surveying and Planning?
“My main advice would be: know what you want and be ready for a lot of tough work. You need to be passionate because that passion will flourish, letting you really excel in your field!”
Amazing work Josh!
If you would like to find out more about T Level Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, click here.
To find our more about all of the T Level opportunities available at Weston College, click here.
The Level 2 and 3 Public Services learners journeyed to Ilfracombe during late November to brave the Bristol Estuary by jumping into the Sea donned in wet suits and helmets.
This activity developed ID skills such as teamwork and resilience as well as confidence in working and operating in a strange environment.
The trip allowed learners to prepare for long hours whilst being cold and wet, making it essential for vocational preparation for future careers.
Are you ready to build a career in the health and care industry, but not sure how to start?
We've got you covered!
With our partnership with Sirona Care & Health, you'll learn the skills and qualifications that will give you a great foundation for your career with us in our FREE 3-week training programme—and we'll even guarantee an interview, so there's no risk involved!
You'll be able to work flexible hours and on your own schedule, meaning you can set your own pace as well as provide stability for your future employer. This means that whether you're looking for a part-time job or full-time commitment, we have something in store for everyone.
The programme also offers fantastic career progression opportunities; once you've completed the training programme, you'll have the opportunity to transfer into one of our Level 3 Apprenticeships, to gain a qualification as you work.
The course starts on 23rd January, in Bristol.
Contact traineeships.enquiries@weston.ac.uk or employment.support@weston.ac.uk to register your interest!
Public Service Career Excellence Hub learners were treated to a guest lecture from Sgt Chris Stone last week, who inspired the Level 3 learners.
Sgt Chris Stone told his story, and shared best practice for joining the army.
Subject Area Manager for Public Services, David Beresford, said: “It was great to welcome Sgt Chris Stone last week, who gave our learners a real insight into what it is like to be in the army, but also how to achieve their goal of entering the military.
“A big thank you to Sgt Chris Stone, and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future to deliver more talks to our learners.”
If you would like to study one of our Public Services courses, you can apply by clicking here.
It is the WorldSkills National Finals next week (w/c 14th November). This event is the culmination of an exciting development programme, designed and assessed by industry experts, which judge an individual’s employability, personal and technical skills. There will be a total of 62 finals between 7 venues, and Weston College will be running the Website Development Competition at the Middlesborough venue!
Three of our own computing learners, Finley, Mircea and Skylar will be competing, and we wish them the very best of luck, as well as five other finalists from all over the country. We are looking forward to seeing who takes home the trophy!
As well as boosting skills and confidence, if competitors impress under the pressure of the finals, they could being with a chance of representing the UK at the “skills Olympics” in France 2024.
Steph McGovern will announce the winners on Friday, 25th November in a special medal ceremony, live-streamed to the WorldSkills UK website, from her Packed Lunch studio.
Sandra Bull, the Dean of the Faculty, commented: “We are so proud of the learners going to compete in the WorldSkills National Finals – it is a huge achievement for the college, and is a testament to the talent and ambition that is created here. This achievement, of course, would not be possible without our wonderful staff, who give endless encouragement and support to our learners, so a huge thank you from me, to every staff member that has been involved with this opportunity. Good luck to every participant competing, we can’t wait to celebrate your expertise.”
Marketing and Communications
The marketing department is responsible for promoting Weston College to the public, by promoting the Colleges courses, achievements and events.
Our aims are to attract learners to study within the Weston College Group, build and grow the College’s brand and highlight its reputation, and promote the College Group’s success, student progression and outstanding support for our learners.
The marketing department manages the College’s websites and official social media accounts, runs advertising campaigns, creates press releases, and manages many of the College Group’s events, such as Graduation, the Celebration of Success and the Business Awards.
We produce a wide range of publications including our full-time, Higher Education and part-time prospectuses, course leaflets and posters, and other documents such as the College’s annual report, magazines and newsletters, course brochures and the student handbook.
Weston College is committed to providing accurate and timely information for local, regional and national media, and the general public.
The marketing team is available between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. You can get in touch with us by emailing marketing@weston.ac.uk.
All of our press releases are uploaded to the news section of our websites. News from the academies we sponsor, including the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, can be found on the news section of the Inspirational Futures Trust’s website. News pertaining to our Higher Education Provision can be found on www.ucw.ac.uk.
The marketing department produces most imagery and film in house, and keeps an extensive archive of the photographs it takes. If you would like a copy of an image featuring you or a member of your family, please contact us at photography@weston.ac.uk.
Our photos of graduation and many other events can be found on the College’s Facebook page. High quality images can be found on the College’s Flickr account.
Weston College is able to accommodate many requests to provide locations for film and photography. The College has a range of attractive, modern and adaptable facilities which can be viewed on our youtube channel.
We also are able to provide heritage facilities such as the Victorian Hans Price designed Conference Centre and, from September 2017, the 1927 Winter Gardens Pavilion.
For booking details, contact marketing@weston.ac.uk.
For enquiries about sponsoring key events such as Celebration of Success, Business Breakfast, Business Awards and Graduation, please contact the marketing team by email at marketing@weston.ac.uk.
