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.
New research shows the extent of the Southwest’s demand for sustainable living, as the majority would consider a home to be worth more money if it was sustainably constructed. A report released alongside the research highlights the technical skills that are needed if the Southwest’s consumers’ green ambitions are to be met.
The skills to succeed: Meeting the country’s evolving technical skills needs’ report, produced on behalf of the Institutes of Technology, looks at a range of challenges that communities, face today, including sustainable construction, transport, and tackling threats to national cyber security.
Research released alongside the report shows that more than half of people in the UK are worried about the risk of cyber threats either at home or in the workplace. It also shows that 77% of the public think the likes of banks, social media companies and shops need to do more to keep their customers’ data safe.
Furthermore, the report shows that 82% of businesses now see cyber security as a high priority. However, around half (51%) say they face a basic technical cyber security skills gap with 44% of cyber vacancies reported as being “hard to fill” since the start of 2020. Therefore a workforce with the right technical skills is needed.
The West of England Institute of Technology is plugging this gap by teaching skill that can be applied to the ever-evolving threats to cyber security.
The West of England Institute of Technology (IoT) is part of a new national network of regional partnerships between local colleges (including Weston College), universities and leading employers across England, created to ensure the technical skills and knowledge needed to overcome the biggest challenges communities face are accessible to all. IoTs provide training in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based occupations, many of which address sustainability demands facing the country, such as in energy, transport and digital industries. Their work is increasing the accessibility of vital expertise for employers seeking to embrace innovation.
Michelle Donelan, Minister for Higher and Further Education, says: “Institutes of Technology are not only playing a critical role in helping to close skills gaps in key sectors such as sustainable construction, but crucially, they are providing people with high quality technical training that leads to good jobs, helping to level up opportunity across our country.
“The need to support sectors such as advanced manufacturing and engineering, construction and digital looks set to only grow and with their close ties to employers, Institutes of Technology will be the driving force behind ensuring the workforce is ready for future technological change and changing working practices.”
As well as covering Cyber: Tackling threats to national security, The skills to succeed: Meeting the country’s evolving technical skills needs’ report looks into other challenges communities are facing today, and how Institutes of Technology are helping to plug gaps. The topics include, Energy: Powering the nation in new ways, Construction: Building a sustainable future, Electric Vehicles: Driving transport innovation and Agriculture: Cultivating technical skills.
Read the full report here.
My name is Emma and I’ve been in the hairdressing industry for nearly 30 years. I started hairdressing as soon as I left school, working in a large salon where I completed a two-year apprenticeship with a one-day college day. I absolutely love every aspect of hairdressing, especially the way it allows creativity and for you to make your own style.
I worked in a few salons on a rent-a-chair basis, but always felt there was something missing for me. I had so many ideas and I truly wanted to open my own salon in which everything was unique. I worked very hard and I can now say it all was worth it as I have had my own salon for two years, which has been the best and most rewarding thing I've ever done, even with the Covid lockdown in between.
Something that was really important to me was offering students the opportunity to gain work experience, as I knew first-hand how important it was. Learning in a college is amazing, but being able to go into a salon to see how it's run and their own approach to each detail is essential to a learner looking to go into the field.
When I opened Unique, I wanted my salon to be different and stand out from the crowd, while also benefitting the environment. To achieve this, I decided I wanted all my colours and products to be vegan friendly. I also offer a wide range of eco-friendly products at an affordable price, so it's easier for my clients to be friendly to the environment.
With any learner coming into my salon, I would expect them to have fantastic timekeeping and be ready to learn, to accept that there are many jobs to be done, which are all of equal importance to the smooth-running of the salon.
This year, we are so excited that we are getting involved with the brand-new Careers Excellence Hub as an endorser. This will allow us to impact the future of our industry by influencing what is taught in the curriculum, delivering master classes and offering more opportunities to learners to gain valuable experience.
Emma - Unique Hair
If you're interested in studying hairdressing and barbering, click this link!
Former Weston College Music Performance and Production Learner, Michael "Mike-e", has gained an outstanding achievement in securing a place on the highly reputable MA Electronic Music Production at dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, partnered with Falmouth University.
Mike-e has been a part of the Weston College Group family since joining onto a Level 1 Music course in 2015.
Since then, he has gone from strength to strength - excelling into Level 2 and 3, then into the UCW Professional Music Performance and Production Degree and finally earning a spot to study his MA with Bristol-based dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, commencing in September.
Mike-e's journey and success is a truly commendable achievement and a powerful demonstration of hard work, passion, and dedication.
Upon hearing news of his offer to study at dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, Mike-e tell us he was ecstatic; “I have a habit of telling myself I won’t be successful in these kinds of opportunities so to hear back so quickly was so uplifting”.
Mike-e's future career prospects and goals after University include continuing to work as a sound designer and composer for films and video games while operating a sample library and software instrument business.
When asked about his time studying Music at UCW he told us: “I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to better their performance skills and develop some business knowledge. The studios and equipment are amazing, and I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to use them”.
The Creative Arts Department (CAD) at Weston College are proud to present their new Instagram page, @westoncreative
The page was recently created as a way of exhibiting and showcasing the incredible work from our talented learners across the department.
These include those from: Art and Design, Games and Animation, Graphic Design, Creative and Digital Media, Photography and Performing Arts and more!
Instagram is a brilliant platform to present the amazing work of our CAD students, utilised throughout the creative industries by professionals to show-off and market brands or personal work.
This is yet another example of our creative courses using initiative and innovation to ensure our learners always remain up-to-date and involved in relevant industry practice.
Follow @westoncreative to see more of their outstanding work.
To find out more about our Creative Arts courses click here.
Fantastic news in Health and Social Care as Level 3 learner, Leah, finishes off her second-year studies and heads straight into full-time employment as a Paediatrics Nursing Associate with the prestigious John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Leah has had immense success throughout her time at college, previously taking part in Lateral Flow and Vaccination training, selected by tutors in recognition of her hard work and dedication to her studies. This led to further opportunities, with Leah working as a qualified vaccinator administering Covid vaccines to patients throughout the pandemic.
To celebrate Leah’s success and the beginning of her career in the Healthcare industry, we asked her some questions:
What made you want to go into Paediatrics?
I’ve always preferred working with children. I used to think I might like to go into teaching, but I've always been more interested in the health side of things.
Was there anything about the course you have studied that helped you along your way to making that decision?
Yes definitely. Studying Health and Social Care helped me learn about the different jobs and opportunities in nursing. Working with case studies within my assignments really interested me because it gave me insight into real life situations that happen when working with patients.
What about your course has helped you prepare for this job?
My placements really helped. I have been doing Covid vaccinations, which has really inspired and motivated me to feel confident talking to new people and deal with difficult situations. Through the course, I have also had the opportunity to work in several care homes and I’ve realised that’s not really what I want to do. So, the course has really helped me work out what I enjoy and what I want to pursue, and also show me what I what I don’t really want to do in the future.
What would you say is the best thing about studying here?
The staff definitely push you, which at first seemed stressful, but now that I’m finishing and looking back I realise that it actually really helped me and allowed me to learn and grow a lot – they just push you to do your best. There’s also always lots of opportunities, becoming a vaccinator was an opportunity that came up through college, my lecturers recognised my hard work and put me forward for the training. It was really nice to be selected.
What would you say to somebody who’s thinking of studying Health and Social Care?
I would say go for it! I wasn’t sure what to choose at first, but it’s a great course to pick because there are so many options afterwards, whether you go down the Health side or the Social Care side. It gives you an overview and experience of both so you get it helps you to choose.
The Health and Social Care team are exceptionally proud of Leah and her incredible achievements.
To find out more about the opportunities available in Health and Social Care at Weston College click here.
Join us to celebrate the incredible creative minds of Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW)!
With the class of 2022 coming to an end, this festival style event will feature a grand display of artwork for all to see from our creative subject areas:
- Art and Design
- Game and Animation
- Graphic Design
- Film and Media
- Fashion
- Music
- Performing Arts (Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre)
- Photography
- Creative degree programmes (UCW)
This is a phenomenal trip out for the family with live music, performances, artwork, locally sourced food, drink and more - all in celebration of the arts and young people in Weston-super-Mare.
To find out more about the day and book your tickets click here.
Our UAL Creative Media Production courses are exceptionally proud to announce they have been awarded a ScreenSkills accreditation for a further four years.
ScreenSkills is a prestigious and industry-led body for screen industry, covering an array of media practices including film, television, visual effects, animation, and games.
ScreenSkills pride themselves on “supporting continued growth and future innovation across the country by investing in the skilled and inclusive workforce who are critical to the UK screen industries' global success.” They do this by working closely with learners and institutions to help provide insight into career development and fantastic opportunities to support people to enter and progress in industry.
An endorsement from ScreenSkills is incredibly highly sought-after, and the opportunity to be awarded such an accreditation is an astounding privilege for our UAL Creative Media Production courses - which already boast an impressive level of professionalism.
Gina Hele, Subject Area Manager, says “We are incredibly proud that Screenskills have recognised our Level 2 and Level 3 UAL Creative media production courses, and awarded us accreditation for a further four years. We look forward to continuing to work with Screenskills to benefit our students and their future Screen Industry career pathways.
We value input from the industry when designing and delivering our curriculum and this allows us to get real time information about changes in the demands of the sector. The report states that the course is achieving standards of excellence, in terms of its industry relevance. The Team and I are delighted with this outcome.”
This is fantastic news for our staff and learners, ensuring that the courses available are of the utmost quality and relevance to prepare students for their future careers in industry.
If you are interested in starting your journey in Creative Media Production, or would like to find out more about our ScreenSkills accredited courses Click Here.
At Em2, we love welcoming learners into our salon for work experience, with the aim of assisting them as they progress and develop skills in hairdressing. When learners come to us, we expect them to be polite, professional and punctual, as well as an open mind for watching and learning new skills. We also expect them to support the team in any way they can, including keeping on top of cleaning jobs and getting clients refreshments.
Elise and Poppy are our two learners currently with us on work experience, who are studying Hairdressing and Barbering and are constantly working incredibly hard to support the team. They are consistently punctual and reliable, and always go the extra mile to work to improve on becoming a better hairdresser.
Both have learnt treatments they can offer to clients, as well as becoming educated on the products used, to correctly inform the customers on what they want to know. Since day one, they have always had the right attitude for wanting to improve.
We feel that work experience at our salon has been hugely beneficial to Elise and Poppy as it has allowed them to grow in confidence, by shadowing established hairdressers. The business’s connection with the Fellowship for British Hairdressing has also enabled them to learn valuable skills, and build up regular clients of their own.
Their progress in the work has been evident, but also the progress in themselves as people has also been clear. They each have acquired skills in many areas, both directly in the field as hairdressing, as well as confidence in welcoming and engaging in conversations with clients. I’m a very proud manager of both, and we love having them in with us.
Emma, Em2 Hair
Media learners are starting their very own radio station!
Creative Media Production doesn’t just mean making videos. As well as full-blown TV production, podcasts and all aspects of filmmaking, our Creative Media department also expands into radio production.
As a result, learners are excited to be launching their very own radio station: Weston Waves!
From hosting shows/interviews and mixing music to elements of video and managing broadcast output, Media learners are developing a huge range of skills in order to manage all aspects of producing a professional show. Learners have access to industry standard equipment, enabling them to gain relevant and invaluable experience that will make them extremely employable on completion of their course.
The station is being championed by Media lecturer Mel Edmonds, who has a huge range of skills and experience from a diverse background as a News Editor and Broadcast Journalist with 20 years of experience working in commercial radio newsrooms alongside training presenters and journalists.
Mel’s industry background has not only brought years of knowledge for students to learn from but has also led to famous faces from high-profile stations sending in their words of wisdom and support for the Weston Waves team!
INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS
Steve Parkinson from Bauer Media:
"Hi - I'm Steve Parkinson from Bauer Media and boss of KISS Kerrang! Absolute Radio and more fantastic radio stations. Radio and audio IS fantastic and so important to the creative arts. 9 out of 10 people listen to radio in the UK each week, and it’s the oldest medium still evolving and launching new services on a multitude of platforms. Radio and audio is visual now too which opens up even more opportunities career wise. So to you all at Weston College - good luck for a great launch of Weston Waves!"
Voice Over Artist Sally Bailey (who has recorded the jingles for Weston Waves):
"Media students have also played a big part in marketing the station. From designing the logo, posters and banners, to sourcing a professional voice over artist”
Video form Virgin Radio's Mike Cass:
Weston College’s Creative Arts department increases career-boosting benefits through the creation of the Creative Arts Career Excellence Hub. These innovative subject specific hubs allow for students at Weston College to have access to exclusive opportunities such as these close connections with big industry names. Endorsed by employers, this enables for better integration with the sector to make sure class content is relative and opens doors for learners, so they leave college with more than just a qualification.
Weston Waves is set to debut at the college’s Creative Arts Summer Festival – a phenomenal showcase of performances and art from across all our creative courses. This festival style event for all the family is running 16th – 18th June at Loxton Campus.
In preparation, learners were visited by Weston College Group Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips CBE, who is to receive a Knighthood from the Queen for outstanding contributions in his field. The talented team were able to talk with the “Sir” to be, talk about Creative Arts at Weston College and also got the Principal to request 3 songs top play!
From September, it will broadcast to all campuses via Teams every lunchtime and late opening hours.
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.
