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.
Last week, our Level 3 Beauty Therapy learners were treated to a guest lecture and demonstration from an industry professional at Guinot. Guinot, the No. 1 Beauty Salon in France, offers beauty treatments and exclusive skincare treatments for the face and body in approved beauty salons.
Jenna Ratcliffe, the Divisional Lead of Sector Services, explained the demonstration, and how this benefits the learners in their studies: “Learners focus on providing advanced skincare therapies during their course; the industry masterclass was focused on enhancing learner awareness around alternatives to aesthetic medicine. Guinot was the perfect brand to offer this insight to our learners as they have over 50 years' experience in the professional beauty therapy industry with treatments available in 70 countries.”
Jenna continued: “Learners had the opportunity to further develop electrical therapy technical skills under the direction of Michelle, our Guinot representative. Learners explored Guinot's Hydradermie, Hydraclean and Hydralift treatments and were fascinated by the results.”
At Weston College, we understand how vital live demonstrations are in bridging the gap between education and industry. Learners are aware of professional brans, however being given the opportunity to experience them first hand is far more supportive for the learner’s progression into industry.
One learner participating in the session commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed today's Guinot masterclass with Michelle. She provided so much information on the treatments and products available, allowing us to test each product out. The fragrances were phenomenal, and the quality of the product is definitely top of the range and allows me to see treatment profit margins.”
Jenna commented on the success of the visit: “I’m so thrilled that at Weston College we are able to present opportunities such as these to our learners; as our motto is ‘careers, not courses’, industry professional demonstrations opens the door for our learners to achieve those dream careers!
“Michelle from Guinot stated that she would offer any of our learners a career pathway at Guinot, stating that they were professional and very knowledgeable! We are immensely proud of our learners, and so grateful to Michelle for sharing her expertise and knowledge with us all!”
If you would like to find out more about our Hair and Beauty courses, you can do so here.
Civil Engineers play a critical role in our community; they design and manage construction projects, including roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.
Civil engineering is also one of the most in demand construction roles in the UK, with demand due to grow by 10% in the next 10 years.
We asked Paul Nethercott from the sustainable civil engineering contractor, Alun Griffiths, about life in the industry, to give an insight into a career in civils: “Civil engineering is a rewarding, creative and fun job.
"The projects we undertake are critical to the evolution of humanity and our constant ability to adapt and thrive.
"No day is ever the same, it's a team effort with good pay - and lots of fantastic progression opportunities as there simply aren't enough engineers to go around.
"There are lots of different roles that you can take in civil engineering too, including:
- Design
- Surveying
- Civil/Site Engineering
- Building Control
- Buying
- Estimating
- Planning
- Site Technical Support.”
You might be wondering how exactly to become a Civil Engineer – well, you’ve come to the right place!
There are several different routes into the industry, which can be chosen if they suit your learning style:
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and provides an opportunity to meet local organisations that are wanting to invest in and develop their future workforce.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.
You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. We currently offer two apprenticeships in Civil Engineering, click the course below to find out more:
Civil Engineering Level 3 – 36 months
Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 – 12 months
Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next Level, or go into full-time work.
T Levels
T Levels are a great way to start your journey into becoming a Civil Engineer.
T Levels are the new ‘Gold Standard’ in technical qualifications and are designed to ensure that learners are more employable – with a mix of classroom based learning and practical experience.
Our two-year T Level in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, is a Level 3 standard, and can lead on to either a Degree Apprenticeship, or a Degree.
You can also complete other Construction based courses, Engineering courses or A Levels, which can lead you on to one of our Degree Level courses, taught through University Centre Weston.
Paul Nethercott from Alun Griffiths, also told us about some of the key skills that you will need for working in civil engineering: “The industry is really welcoming to graduates and new starters, but there are certain skills that will really help you to have a long and successful career. These include:
- Attention to detail
- Being a team player
- Possessing problem-solving skills
- Being a strong communicator
- Punctuality and reliability
- Having commercial awareness.”
A big thank you to Paul Nethercott.
If you would like to find out more about our courses, join us at our next Open Evening, taking place on the 29th March, across all campuses. Click here to book your spot.
My name is Leigh-Anne and I am the General Manager for OCS at Bristol Airport, looking after the Airside Coaching and PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) Contracts.
We support customers every day, and we provide as much or as little assistance through the airport journey as passengers require. We aim to make travelling through the airport and onto the aircraft as smooth and stress free as possible.
We are an organisation that is passionate about providing opportunities to people looking to enter the industry, and we have worked closely with Weston College over a number of years to support this agenda.
I have always found Weston College to be approachable and helpful. The staff are always positive and flexible where needed. A great team of people that want the best for their students.
Recently we have started offering industry placements to learners at the college, and we have been really impressed. The learners have all been eager to learn and can help support the operation especially at peak times when lots of staff are required to provide the necessary assistance to passengers.
They were all of such a high standard, that we have offered them paid employment within OCS, which has been fantastic to see. Learners have become Customer Care Agents and also one is a Banks person.
Seeing the learners grow has been a real highlight for me. They have learnt new skills, progressed in so many ways and we have provided them with a stepping-stone into the world of aviation.
Working with Weston College has been a great opportunity to expand our network and create new opportunities for learners and OCS.
Leigh-Anne Borkar, General Manager
Find out more about our industry placement opportunities, by clicking here.
Our Travel and Tourism and Business students were fortunate to receive a guest lecture from Lindsey Williams, who is the Head of Sales at Mollie's - a dynamic Motel and Diner that operates in Oxfordshire, Manchester, and Bristol. Recently awarded as the 'Best Budget Hotel' in the Sunday Times Best Places to Stay, Mollie's is currently seeking to expand into new markets, which our learners learned about during the lecture.
Lindsey provided our students with valuable insights into the hospitality industry, sharing her personal journey and experiences working at Mollie's. The Travel and Tourism and Business courses at Weston College cover a broad range of topics, including accommodation and marketing within the industry, and Lindsey shared her practical advice for those seeking to pursue careers in these areas.
Mollie's is an innovative company that is constantly seeking new ways to enhance their services. Our students were privileged to gain a sneak peek into some of the exciting initiatives on the horizon, from Sunday Sleepovers to Staycations.
You can find out more about our courses for 16-19 year olds, by clicking here.
Weston College has launched a new scholarship, for Engineering learners, in partnership with the Luke Wheaton Trust.
The scholarship, which is available for one student, per year, is open to any apprentice studying on a Level 2, 3, 4 or 6 Engineering apprenticeship at Weston College.
The scholarship was introduced to honour the memory of former learner Luke Wheaton, one of Weston College’s most inspiring apprentices working with Wessex Water.
Each scholarship is worth £4,000, with students receiving £1,000 per year for up to four years. The scholarship is renewable annually, subject to progress being made as agreed in partnership between the College and the apprentice’s employer.
The first scholarship has been awarded to degree apprentice, Georgia, who impressed judges in her application, with her love of engineering and desire to succeed.
Georgia said of the scholarship: “I was so happy when I found out that I had been awarded the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust Scholarship.
“The scholarship will support my education and help me to buy textbooks for my course in aerospace engineering. I will also put some of the scholarship money towards buying a laptop to help make better notes in my lectures so that I am well organised, and I would like to buy a Raspberry Pi to practice coding and further my knowledge of Python.”
Georgia went on to add some information about her apprenticeship: “I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, as I have been able to meet apprentices from other companies as well as learning important skills about engineering and sustainability.
“I have enjoyed learning about different materials, their testing and application to different aircraft parts.
“When I complete my degree apprenticeship, I would like to further this understanding and research into material properties and look at cost effective and sustainable solutions to use in the aerospace industry.”
Jo Philpott, Vice Principal at Weston College, said: “Luke was a fantastic learner, and we really wanted to support other apprentices starting their journey into the engineering industry, in his honour.
“After receiving lots of applications, we are thrilled to offer the very first scholarship to Georgia, who is an apprentice with the Ministry of Defence.
“This scholarship will help Georgia’s development by paying for new equipment and also assisting with travelling.
“We are excited to see how this assists Georgia on her engineering journey.”
You can find out more about apprenticeships in engineering at Weston College, by clicking here.
Weston College SEND Centre for Excellence has been selected to provide support for the Falkland Islands' education provision, carrying out a SEND review across Primary, Secondary, and Post-16. This exciting opportunity commenced virtually in October 2022, allowing both educational providers to establish a collaborative relationship in preparation for a visit to the Falkland Islands in March 2023. The aim is to create transformational change in inclusivity.
The focus of the visit will be to support the Falklands in developing a whole-college approach to inclusivity, considering how SEND learners are supported, meeting local community needs, and delivering high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment. The team will also provide training in supporting children and young people with Autism, those with Social Emotional and Mental Health, and creating accessible classrooms that meet the neurodiverse needs of young people.
This exciting opportunity is the first international SEND review taking place, and Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group along with other Senior Managers within the Faculty of Inclusive Practice, are leading the final preparations for the visit. The visiting team includes Sam Mayhew, Nicola, Leila Morne, and Zoe Bodley.
On Wednesday, March 15th the team will start the journey from Brize Norton to the Falkland, spanning over 7,000 miles and taking roughly 18 hours to complete. After departing from the Royal Air Force base, the aircraft heads south towards the Atlantic Ocean, after several hours, the plane will finally approach the rugged and windswept Falkland Islands, emerging from the clouds to reveal the stark beauty of this remote archipelago. As the plane descends towards Mount Pleasant Airport, the Weston College team will catch glimpses of the island's rocky coastline and vast open spaces, before finally touching down on the tarmac to begin their adventure in this unique and fascinating corner of the world and to start this unique opportunity to share best practice on the international stage.
Sir Paul Phillips, the Principal and CEO of Weston College, expressed his excitement for the opportunity, stating:
"We are thrilled to have been commissioned to support the Falkland Islands' education provision. Our team of experts has been working hard to prepare for the visit, and we are confident that we will be able to share best practice and create transformational change in inclusivity. We believe that every young person should have access to high-quality education and support, regardless of their needs, and we are proud to be able to share our expertise on the international stage."
Our A Level Media learners recently got to immerse themselves in a spellbinding world on a trip to the Harry Potter Studios where they had the chance to see the process of a Hollywood-style feature film production from beginning to end.
Throughout their day they were able to observe the original sets and props used in the series, get on the Hogwarts express train on Platform 9 ¾ and waver through Diagon Alley. Some learners even got the chance to ride a broomstick, like the original cast did, allowing them to explore the use of a greenscreen in film production.
Ethan, Lecturer in Media, told us: “It really benefitted the learners, affording them the opportunity for inspiration in order to prepare for their upcoming coursework.”
Overall, the learners thoroughly enjoyed their experience uncovering the behind-the-scenes secrets of the movies’ on-screen wizardry whilst bringing back lots of takeaways which they can apply to their studies.
Becoming a Police Officer can be a highly rewarding career choice if you’re interested in serving the community and upholding the law. It is a demanding and challenging job that requires dedication, skill, and a deep sense of commitment.
In this article, we will discuss why you would want to join the Police Force and how we can help you achieve it!
There are many reasons why someone may choose to become a Police Officer. For some, it is a lifelong dream that they have had since childhood. Others may be drawn to the job because of a desire to make a positive impact in their community or to help those in need. Whatever the reason, becoming a Police Officer is a noble profession that requires a high level of integrity, compassion, and bravery.
There are lots of job opportunities in the UK, with 45 different geographical forces.
You might now be wondering how to become a Police Officer, and how can Weston College help… we offer several courses, which can act as the starting point of your journey, or your next steps.
Our courses are part of our Career Excellence Hubs, which gives you unrivalled access to employers, whether that be for industry insight talks, work experience or trips.
Here are some of the courses we would recommend:
Public Services Courses
We offer several Public Services courses, across different levels, which will build your skills and knowledge, ready for a career in the Police Force.
Each course is slightly different, but they are all taught by people with industry experience and include regular talks from local Police Officers. These courses are a great way to start your journey into the Police Force, click here to see our Public Services courses.
A Levels
A Levels are another route that you can take to join the Police Force, as once completed you can progress onto a degree. Courses such as Criminology, Law and Sociology are recommended, as they will give you a understanding of what the law is and also give you insight into the thoughts and behaviour of society.
Click here to see our A Level offer.
Degrees
University Centre Weston (UCW) offers a Level 6 in Uniformed and Public Services, which will give you specialised knowledge and skills in areas including organisational leadership, causes of crime and social conflict, partnership working and emergency planning, and prepare to progress to a range of roles within the uniformed and public services.
Click here to find out more about the course.
If you'd like to find out more about a career in the Police, come along to one of our open evenings and chat to the team, they will be more than happy to help!
Tom Hook, a second year A Level learner, held his very own fashion show to showcase his talent and vision in fashion design. 100 exclusive guests were invited to view his work, including Principal and CEO, Sir Paul Phillips, and the Chair of the Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price.
Tom, who studies Fashion & Textiles A Level, alongside Media Studies at the college, explained the process and inspiration for the evening:
“My 2023 Evening Presentation was six months in the making; 183 days work. The process consisted of thorough research that was to eventually inform my designs. Each of my garments had to be produced under safe conditions (by myself), not comprised in quality of materials, nor manufacture. The mantra I decided upon in spite of a growing taste for cheap, on trend pieces was that ‘Classic endures: beautiful clothes need not to abide trends.”
The collection totalled 15 looks styled with accessories, the clothing itself being purposely simple in concept, yet up to date with current fashion trends including the Y2K parachute cargo pants and crop-top silhouette.
The models who exhibited Tom’s designs were all peer learners, as well as makeup artists and costume assistants who were also on hand throughout the evening to aid the smooth running of the event.
The evening was described as ‘ravishing’, with nothing but positive feedback from both those involved and attendees. Nicola Stent, Tom’s fashion lecturer, commented: “It was a pleasure to see how impressed the audience were with his first collection, and I feel blessed to be part of his exciting journey.”
“My course has helped me in understanding the importance of research, has developed my sewing skills and techniques including corsetry construction present in my gold lamé finale dress. A Level Media helped me to be able to promote the event and in formatting the invitations, fashion programmes, and production set design.
“My lecturer Nicola Stent supported me a great deal in believing in my vision (even when I had doubts), and in arranging logistics. The staff at the college reinforce the organisation’s wider goal in ‘Creating Brighter Futures’, their facilities and resources unable to be faulted.”
Since the age of 14, Tom has aspired to attend Central Saint Martins or Glasgow School of Art, both internationally renowned for their fashion courses, with his dream being to walk the same corridors as McQueen and Galliano once had. In ten years' time, he hopes to be working within the fashion industry at some capacity, depending on the opportunities that come his way.
He concluded: “I would like to thank the college for its constant support and all that it does for its students as well as its contribution towards the wider local community.”
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.
