Weston College are delighted to announce that Somerset Football Association are joining the Sports & Fitness Careers Excellence Hub for the 2023/24 academic year. The College, which offers Sports & Fitness courses including BTEC Fitness and Sports Exercise Science, Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications in Community Coaching, has award-winning Careers Excellence Hubs for each faculty subject area across the College with several industry partnerships in place. The purpose of Careers Excellence Hubs, which is part of the College’s ‘Making Careers Everybody’s Business' strategy, is for curriculum areas to work closely with employers to highlight the breadth of careers available, offer work placements, develop the skills of learners beyond the qualification they are studying, supporting their progression to higher education and employment.

Somerset FA are the not-for-profit body responsible for the development and governance of grassroots football in Somerset since 1885. They work closely with the national Football Association to ensure national strategies are implemented in our region, alongside a vital role in football administration and governance.

David Crew, Head of Business Growth & Employer Partnerships commented “Somerset FA share our passion for encouraging participation in sport at all levels, and we share a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to play football. Weston College, through our Careers Excellence Hubs, are building collaborative employer partnerships aligned to our curriculum areas, creating a high-quality learner experience at our College and learners ready to progress to employment and higher education when they complete their course. We’re looking forward to having Somerset FA part of our employer community.”

Jon Pike, Chief Executive of Somerset Football Association commented “Somerset FA are looking forward to working with Weston College to inspire and create opportunities for their students, partnering with their Sports & Fitness Careers Excellence Hub. As the governing body for football in the region commented to the development of grassroots football, we share Weston College’s passion for increasing participation in football and its approach to inclusivity, and we look forward to supporting the students by highlighting the breadth of careers in football.”

To view our sports courses click here. Employers looking to work with Weston College can email employers@weston.ac.uk

The NextGen Business Breakfast, held on Thursday 13th July at the prestigious Winter Gardens, was an astounding success, bringing together over 150 local businesses for a morning of insight and inspiration. Sponsored by Natwest, Business Leader, Business West, and Albert Goodman, the event showcased remarkable speakers and highlighted future opportunities for growth and collaboration.

The event kicked off with a captivating keynote speech by Andy Lewis MBE, a celebrated Paralympian. Andy shared his personal journey of triumph over challenges, serving as a shining example of determination and resilience for all attendees. His inspirational story left a lasting impact on the audience, reminding them of the power of overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.

Lynsey McKinstry, representing Weston College delivered an impassioned talk on breaking down barriers to employment for young adults and learners with additional needs. She pledged a supported internship program that would pave the way for fulfilling employment opportunities, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities within the local community.

Looking ahead, the NextGen Speaker Series continues with a focus on leading change. Launched at the event was stage 2 of the Government Funded Project Management Skills Bootcamp course which returns in October, offering 20 spaces (subject to eligibility and funding availability) for a 10-day immersive learning experience. Details regarding the course can be found here.

To secure a ticket for the NextGen event in October, interested parties are encouraged to email employers@weston.ac.uk and confirm their attendance, allowing them to be added to the exclusive guest list.

The upcoming October session will feature Dr. Zara Nanu MBE as the keynote speaker. Dr. Nanu is the CEO of Gapsquare, an award-winning organization dedicated to using AI and data analytics to address gender, ethnicity, disability, and pay inequity issues in the workplace. With her extensive expertise in building diverse and inclusive workplaces, Dr. Nanu has been at the forefront of empowering employers globally to create fair and equitable work environments.

Wez is a talented makeup artist and esteemed alumnus of Weston College. Graduating from his studies in Hair, Makeup & SFX for TV and Film in 2020, Wez has since achieved an outstanding career in the industry, making waves with his creativity and skills. Most notably, he recently appeared on season 5 of the hit TV show "Glow Up," where makeup professionals compete for the prestigious title of ‘Britain's Next Make-Up Star’. We recently caught up with Wez to discuss his journey, experiences, and advice for aspiring makeup artists. 

Reflecting on his experience on "Glow Up," Wez describes it as one of the most amazing experiences of his life. Competing with incredibly talented individuals from all over the UK pushed his creativity to new heights. While many people expected glam makeup from him, Wez seized the opportunity to showcase his versatility and explore different creative aspects. “Working under pressure was a constant challenge” Wez told us, “both in terms of the competition itself and the need to remain professional and positively represent myself to industry experts.” 

Wez went on to tell us "my time at Weston College definitely helped prepare me for what it’s like to work in this very competitive industry. My course and teachers taught me how to be professional when working on a client or a model. This knowledge allowed me to understand what I needed to have in my kit as a freelance MUA and how to keep it sanitised, organised and clean. It taught me about the anatomy of the face, colour theory, skin types, tones and textures, as well as how to apply prosthetics to a professional level. Not forgetting the most important thing of them all, time management. All of these skills translated heavily into the competition as these are the simple expectations of what it is to be a good makeup artist.”  

WorldSkills recently announced the finalists of 2023, including 3 Weston College learners from Digital, Floristry and Catering. This is an incredible achievement for the learners and the college, and it would not have been possible without the immense support from the staff who entered their students into the competition.

We were lucky enough to catch up with Jo Matthews, the floristry lecturer who has successfully guided one of her learners, Sarah, to the final!

Here’s what Jo had to say:

“My name is Jo, and I am currently a Floristry Lecturer running a part time introductory 6-week course aimed at students who are interested in moving on to a formal qualification. The short courses range from compete beginners to individuals who have experience for advanced workshops. I am also overseeing a City and Guild Level Two Floristry course which this year has followed onto City and Guilds Level Three.

“I have worked in the industry for several decades as an independent florist and in teaching which has given me a wealth of knowledge. It has given me a solid foundation of technical skills which are the building blocks for a career.

“This is the first year I put learners forward for WorldSkills, and two entered. The initial stage of the competitions was to submit photographic evidence of a sustainable wreath. If successful, you would progress onto the National selection. I am pleased to say both students reached the Nationals.

“After this, they were set another task which took them to the next heat and were also asked to complete a further two designs at the venue – a hand-tied hostess and a table design for a VIP reception – both students had received excellent feedback.

“Students had to wait four weeks to find out the outcome. Sarah reached the final and Tessa has been put on the reserve list. I am incredibly proud of their success.

“The next stage for Sarah is to start the process of building and expanding her skills to ensure that she can be the best and to achieve more than she thought possible. For me, I will provide a mentorship to ensure that Sarah is competition ready.

“I feel incredibly proud of both students who took the opportunity to complete they both took on this even though they had incredible busy working lives.

“After having had the opportunity to take part in many competitions myself, representing and winning regional and national competitions, as well as traveling to an international competition. It has given me confidence and valued the experience which I have carried through my working life. I am sure that Sarah and Tess will have learnt a lot from this process to date and I will watch on in anticipation to see where their journey takes them as I know this is just the beginning.”

Find out more about our Floristry courses, here!

Here at Weston College, the welfare and wellbeing of staff is one of our top priorities. Our fantastic Welfare Officer, Emma, recently announced college-wide ‘Wellbeing Champions’, whereby 20 members of staff across 15 departments have volunteered to offer guidance and support for any work or personal issues any colleague may be struggling with.

We caught up with Emma, who told us about her inspiration for setting up this initiative, and what the impact she hopes it will have on the staff and the college: “Early intervention is crucial when it comes to our mental health but sadly, mental health and wellbeing services are saturated with long waiting lists when help is needed. I wanted to set up a team who could support me in ensuring that all staff have a safe place to talk openly about any worries or concerns they have.

“The Champions are all passionate about mental health and wellbeing, and they have been recruited to work alongside my role as Staff Welfare officer in supporting the wellbeing of all staff within the college.

“We are fully aware how the impact of the challenges that we all face outside of college, can impact how we are feeling at work, so the Champions are happy to offer general support with any issues you may be experiencing in your work or personal life. It is also the responsibility of the Champions to make referrals to myself if further support is required.

“It can often feel difficult to open up at work (or in general), so this new initiative has been put in place to make it easier for staff to have a confidential chat and feel supported at work; Champions will never pressure anyone to chat if they do not want to. We have all heard that prevention is better than the cure and this is never truer than with mental health. It is time to recognize our mental health as essential to our physical health. At Weston college it is important to me that we work hard to send the message the importance of reaching out early for help when we notice something doesn’t feel right.

“I am really passionate and excited to be rolling this project out and I hope it will make a difference to individuals and, in turn, the whole college.”

If you would like to find out more about welfare at Weston College, click here.

The Weston College Group is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation (UHBW) to provide an exceptional opportunity for learners on health-related courses. As part of this partnership, UHBW will be offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program.

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program is a prestigious and comprehensive opportunity for individuals to embark on a rewarding career in nursing while gaining valuable academic qualifications. By partnering with Weston College, UHBW aims to support aspiring nurses in the local community and contribute to the development of a highly skilled and diverse healthcare workforce.

Key details of the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, include:

• A direct pathway to a nursing career - successful learners will have the chance to bypass the traditional application process and secure an automatic interview with UHBW for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship. This exclusive opportunity provides a direct pathway for learners to pursue their passion for nursing and enter the healthcare profession.

• High-quality education and training - the program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that equips learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to become competent and compassionate registered nurses. The curriculum has been carefully designed in accordance with industry standards and is regularly updated to align with the latest healthcare practices. Apprentices will benefit from the expertise and mentorship of UHBW's experienced nursing staff, gaining a solid foundation of skills and knowledge essential for a successful nursing career.

• Hands-on clinical experience - apprentices enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience through clinical placements within UHBW, one of the region's leading healthcare organisations. This practical exposure provides learners with real-world insights, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a supportive and professional environment.

• Financial support and employment - apprentices enrolled in the program will receive a competitive salary while studying, allowing them to earn while they learn. This financial support, combined with the opportunity to work within UHBW, a leading healthcare organisation, ensures a stable and rewarding career pathway from the outset.

• Personal and professional growth - As the employer UHBW, will enable a wealth of professional development opportunities for the apprentice, allowing them to grow both personally and professionally. UHBW is committed to supporting its apprentices throughout their journey, providing mentorship, guidance, and ongoing training to ensure their success in the nursing profession.

By offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, UHBW is demonstrating its commitment to investing in local talent and fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. This collaboration will not only benefit individual Weston College learners but also contribute to the enhancement of healthcare services and patient care within the region.

Interested learners are encouraged to contact Weston College for further information on the application process. UHBW and Weston College are excited about the prospects that this collaboration presents and look forward to welcoming aspiring nurses to join them on this exceptional journey.

On Wednesday 5th July, the service sectors faculty and learners hosted Laura Leong, High Performance Skills Coach, from WorldSkills UK.

Weston College are proudly a WorldSkills Centre of Excellence, meaning access to world-class teacher training build on WorldSkills international insights. Additionally, it allows a network to build for peer-to-peer innovation and a global community of thought leadership.

Through the connections of WorldSkills, our learners are treated to incredible guest lectures and live demonstrations such as Laura visiting.

Laura spent the morning with our Floristry learners introducing them to competence to excellence methodologies. The learners created 'German style decorative hand tied bouquets'.

This design could be attempted by learners who have mastered basic spiral technique who wish to extend their learning to feature some insights into international best practice. Whilst this approach cannot be fully adopted into the everyday commercial production of every bouquet, it is a valuable addition to the skills and knowledge of a developing floristry student. It does produce results that demonstrate higher order competences and the advanced craftsmanship of a trained florist on a global level.

In the afternoon Laura hosted a Mindset Masterclass with educators from Service Sectors, Health and Sport, ESOL, Maths and English and Professional Studies. The session was titled 'Looking beyond the carrot and the stick'; educators examined different types of motivation and goal setting in relation to achieving learner's personal best.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Divisional Lead of Service Sectors, commented on the success of the day: “It’s such an honour having guest lecturers from WorldSkills come in to share their skills and expertise with the learners. It’s always so fantastic seeing the learners engage in new techniques and topics, and it’s clear how meaningful these sessions are."

Find out more about our courses, here!

Last night (6th July), Weston College was crowned as the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, at the South West Apprenticeship Awards.

The South West Apprenticeship Awards, in their inaugural year, marked a significant milestone for the region. Previously, separate events such as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards (which Weston College has won four times in the past five years) and the South Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards celebrated the achievements of local apprentices and businesses. However, this year's expanded ceremony encompassed a broader area, recognising the outstanding contributions made by organisations and individuals in apprenticeship training across the region, in multiple industries.

The glittering event took place at the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby Club, Ashton Gate stadium, and was hosted by former Olympic athlete and revered television personality, Iwan Thomas.

With an atmosphere brimming with excitement and anticipation, attendees eagerly awaited the announcement of the award winners, each vying for recognition as the pinnacle of excellence in apprenticeship training.

Amongst the winners were several apprentices who are studying with Weston College, with winners including:

• George from Mott MacDonald, who won Apprentice of the Year (Construction & Property Industries) and South West Apprentice of the Year
• Lewis from MBDA, who won Apprentice of the Year (Technology, Digital & Creative Sector)

Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, expressed his delight at the achievements: “Winning the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year award is a tremendous honour for Weston College. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, learners, and employer partners who have consistently strived for excellence in apprenticeship training.

“The team at Weston College are truly dedicated to nurturing the talents and ambitions of our learners, and we champion equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.

“I am also delighted to see so many of our apprentices pick-up well-deserved awards too. Congratulations to George and Lewis, who have all shown that they have the skills, knowledge and attitude to achieve amazing things in their careers.”

If you would like to find out more about studying an apprenticeship with Weston College, click here.

Or if you are an employer who would like to discover how apprenticeships can support your business, click here. 

The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, visited South West Skills Campus this morning to greet and give well wishes to the brand-new learners in for their Welcome Day!

His presence at the college symbolised the town's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive educational environment for its students.

The Welcome Day gave the new learners the opportunity to meet their classmates, their teachers, and see the facilities ahead of their start date in September. Subject areas including Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Construction and more held a series of activities for the learners, to engage them in the topics and give a taste of what’s to come.

Following a short introduction from Richard Hanney, the Head of Construction, the Mayor spoke to the learners about the opportunities that lie ahead while studying at Weston College, the benefits of working in the Construction, Engineering or Motor Vehicle industry, and how he got to where he is now since his college days.

He was then given a tour of the fantastic facilities throughout South West Skills Campus, and immersed himself in the activities taking place, engaging with the learners as he made his way round the campus.

Richard Hanney told us after: “We were so grateful the Mayor could take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us on Welcome Day. His words were very inspiring, and his presence was very much appreciated on such an important day. We look forward to seeing the learners begin their courses in September, and having the Mayor at the college again in the future!”

Find out about our Construction courses, here.