Last Thursday, Weston College celebrated the success of learners and employers at the annual Business Awards.

One of the award winners, Brandon, is completing a T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development with Weston College. One of the first people in the country to take this course, Brandon has been impressing tutors and employers alike, with his dedication and work ethic.

Taking this course allows learners to venture into career paths including web development and design. Brandon has taken full advantage of these skills and has played a key role in the development of Spacebar, which has taken residency in the Sovereign Centre, and provides a space for local employers to access digital support from computing learners (Digital T Level and BTEC learners), who develop websites and enhance an organisation’s digital visibility.

Since its launch, learners have developed 32 websites whilst on their industry placement – a key part of the T Level.

Brandon felt a demand for this during COVID-19, as so many businesses had to change the way they functioned, and needed the skills and assistance to help them achieve a great online presence.

Brandon’s daily tasks and responsibilities include managing clients first hand, making sure they’re happy and satisfied with their end result, as well as delegating work to other groups, marketing the whole business to increase clientele, and mentoring new groups.

Through all these responsibilities, he’s developed his technical skills to an advanced level, as well as skills including customer service, leadership, and professionalism.

Brandon has truly gone above and beyond the requirements and expectations from an industry placement, including working tirelessly long hours to ensure Spacebar becomes a success. Due to these many factors, he has recently won the Industry Placement Learner of the Year at the Weston College Business Awards 2022, which is definitely well deserved!

If you would like to follow in Brandon’s footsteps, you can find out about our Digital T Level, by clicking here.

Every year, Weston College’s Careers Advice Team run the annual CV competition.

The aim of the competition is to level up our learners employability skills and help them discover how to make their CVs stand out from the crowd by getting feedback from high-profile employers.

Learners were asked to submit their CVs for judging, which were first read and marked by the Careers Advisers and shortlisted entries were sent to our representatives from Sytner Jaguar Land Rover Bristol and Persimmon Homes to decide the final winners and runners-up.

This year winners and runners up were chosen from two categories:

Category 1: Entry, Level 1 and Level 2 Full-Time Learners

1st Place: Bailey H. from the Aspirations programme

2nd Place: Amelia S. from Extension Studies

Category 2: Level 3 Full-Time Learners, Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices

1st Place: Aidan T. from T-Level (Digital)

2nd Place: Jonathan C. from Engineering

Winners will receive a £50 Amazon Voucher

Second place will receive a £20 Amazon Voucher

Reuben (Sales Manager) from Sytner Jaguar Land Rover Bristol said “I wish each candidate a successful future within their chosen career path, and find what I have read from each of them reassuring that they will achieve their goals”

Well done everyone!

On Friday 8th July, the Weston College bus services for learners, which are run by Bakers Dolphin and Zeelo, will depart their first campus at 1:00pm, instead of their usual departure after 5pm.

This change to the service is due to the college-wide staff meeting, which after two years of being online, will be face to face.

To find out more about travel to and from the college, including alternative modes of transport, click here.

Hi, I’m Alisha and I’ve just finished studying the Digital Production, Design and Development T Level.

I was part of the first ever cohort of learners to study T Levels, not only at Weston College, but in the UK.

The course has honestly been excellent, and I am so glad that I decided to go down the T Level route. It has helped me to develop a range of skills, from soft to hard skills – as well as developing my technical skills which I can already tell are going to benefit me in the future.

One of the benefits of studying a T Level, is having the opportunity to gain work experience through an industry placement – something which I enjoyed!

I completed my placement at a company called Next Theme where I focussed on web development. I experienced creating a website for a company and used languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP.

I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to put the theory I’d learnt in the classroom into practice, by experiencing a real working environment. I also had the opportunity to develop new skills, such as PHP, which shows the benefit of industry placements.

During my placement, I wasn’t just seen as a ‘placement student’, my role was Junior Developer, and through this I have completed tasks related to websites and marketing, which helped me to understand how businesses can expand and build their digital presence.

My skills have been put to the test, especially in terms of HTML and CSS skills, but thanks to the support I have received at college, I have been able to handle the challenges that have come my way.

My industry placement employer has also been supportive, which has been a huge help. They have guided me through the transition to work and helped me gain even more knowledge.

I am so proud to have worked for Next Theme, the experience has improved my confidence and communication, as well getting a clearer understanding of what it is like to work in a professional environment.

Now that I have completed my T Level, I am planning to go to university to study computing, as I would like to develop my skills even further to become a web developer.

If you are reading this and thinking of studying a T Level at Weston College, then I say go for it! You will learn so many skills on your course, the staff are incredibly supportive, and the industry placement takes the course to the next level!

Alisha, Digital T Level Learner at Weston College

The student-organised Relationships Fayre at the Hans Price Conference Centre was a huge success, with over 200 students attending and engaging with highly important and thought-provoking topics. Information provided for the attendees included topics such as safe sex, period poverty, consent, relationships with others, and most importantly, safety.

The students displayed exemplar behaviour, showing sensitivity and a mature response to the personal subject matter.

Several external agencies joined the fayre, to ensure all information shared was appropriate and from a professional source.

Students felt this topic was important to bring light to learners with SEND in particular, as young people with learning difficulties or disabilities have as much of a right as anyone else to engage in both healthy sexual and non-sexual relationships, so providing the information to emphasise this is highly beneficial to them.

Research indicates that for young people with SEND, incidences of abuse are four times more likely, and yet less likely to be reported. This further emphasises the importance of providing support in enabling independence and preparing for adulthood.

The Healthy Relationships Fayre turned out to be highly successful, in terms of attendance and helpfulness to the learners, so the students would be keen to continue this as a yearly fayre for students to come.

Weston College toasted the outstanding success of learners and employer partners for the first time in three years, at the Business Awards on Thursday (June 30).

Winners from a range of categories were presented with awards at the Oscars-style event at the Winter Gardens.

Guests – including students, employers and local dignitaries – enjoyed a three-course dinner and heard an inspirational keynote talk from former international rugby referee, Nigel Owens MBE, who over a long and distinguished career, has refereed in the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup.

Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, Sir Paul Phillips, who hosted the awards, said: “This year we received a record number of nominations and, while this made judging an unenviable task, it highlights the wealth of talent among our learners and the level of dedication and expertise within our employer network.   

“It was fantastic to celebrate the many successes of our work-based learners, who show outstanding commitment to their programmes. They are truly a credit to the College and their employers.   

“Working with key employers is key to us in supporting the region to level up, and it was a pleasure to recognise so many brilliant businesses.   

“I would like to say congratulations to all of our winners, who we are delighted to work closely with.”

There were winners from a range of levels, with trainees being recognised, along with industry professionals who have upskilled via apprenticeships.

Degree apprentice, Jack Kitsell, was named as the Overall Learner of the Year and Engineering Apprentice of the Year, for his selflessness, exceptional work, and willingness to take on additional roles outside of work to continually improve and develop his skills.

Jack said: “This is the culmination of 5 years of study and work for me. It's a really good opportunity to have that moment to reflect and celebrate those who have helped me through this journey.

"Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get your foot into industry, whilst maintaining that academic side that is essential to the job profiles that people are for looking for in the long-run. The opportunities that have been afforded to me as an apprentice are simply things that I would not have had as a regular university student. I've been able to do, see and achieve things that would not have been an option otherwise."

Employers from across the region were also recognised, for the important role they play in developing future talent. Abatec Recruitment won Medium Employer of the Year, for their commitment to Weston College’s new Career Excellence Hubs, and the opportunities they provide for learners.

Robert Dyer, Business Development Director at Abatec Recruitment, said: “Working with Weston College is a privilege, the collaboration, ideas, and delivery of engaging young adults is so important, and I'm delighted Abatec Recruitment contributes to some of the amazing initiatives that Weston College runs, ultimately, giving young adults opportunities.”

It was an evening to remember for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, who were named Overall Employer of the Year. The award recognised their dedication to apprenticeships, with over 140 Weston College apprentices, across a wide level range, in a number of different departments across University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. 

Business Award winners list:

Learners

• Accelerate Participant of the Year – Bethan
• Business and Finance Apprentice of the Year - Ryan
• Construction Apprentice of the Year - Connie
• Digital Apprentice of the Year - George 
• Early Years and Teaching Assistant of the Year - Karen
• Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year - Jack
• Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year - Ella
• Health and Social Care Apprentice of the Year - Keely
• Hospitality and Catering Apprentice of the Year - Samuel
• Industry Placement Learner of the Year - Brandon
• Into Work Student of the Year – Shauna
• Leadership and Management Apprentice of the Year - Andrew
• Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year - Luke
• Pre-Employment Learner of the Year - Liam
• Professional Services Apprentice of the Year - Charlie
• Sport and Community Apprentice of the Year - Georgia
• Traineeship Learner of the Year - Lillie

Employers

• Small Employer of the Year - Busy Buddies
• Medium Employer of the Year - Abatec Recruitment
• Large Employer of the Year - MBDA
• Career Excellence Hub Employer of the Year - Thatchers Cider
• Disability Confident Employer of the Year - Café At The Pavilion
• Industry Placement Employer of the Year - Sense IT
• New Apprentice Employer of the Year – Rotamec Engineering Solutions
• Pre-Employment Employer of the Year – Apache Construction
• Traineeship Employer of the Year - Burnham Plastering and Drylining
• Work Experience Employer of the Year - Gold Dust Training

Overall Learner of the Year - Jack

Overall Employer of the Year – University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO ALBUM

Students with Autism studying with Weston College’s residential training facility "Weston Bay" have just completed the annual Community Project.

They organised an enterprise project to fundraise the budget needed to renovate and re-decorate Mead Vale Community Hall.

Two weeks were then spent onsite, painting, gardening, upcycling planters using old tyres and improving a well-used site within our local community. All students showed great determination, selflessness and community spirit, putting into practice all of the teamwork, independence and social skills they have learned throughout the year.

Weston College is one of three Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). As a Centre of Excellence, the College will become a national leader in SEND learning. Weston Bay is a residential training centre for students on the autism spectrum, specialising in providing support to aid learners with independent living, employability and accessing the community.

Mead Vale Community Hall is a hub for local residents to come together for various clubs and activities, from Scout meetings and dance practice to Yoga and craft classes. A well-loved staple of the community, the hall was simply in need of some TLC, and that’s where our learners came in.

We caught up with learner, Chloe Turnbull-Yeo, who gave an expert and confidently delivered speech at the opening event.

Chloe told us that, in order to start working on the hall in May, the students involved took part in various fundraising activities. She went on to explain how they all went about the huge task of beginning the restoration project, telling us that, together they truly developed their teamwork skills. 

The opening itself consisted of a grand tour, a buffet of food made by learners and, very excitingly, a visit from The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Sonia Russé to cut the ribbon and officiate the occasion.

Just before cutting the ribbon, The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Sonia Russé had this to say: “It’s a real privilege for me to be here and open this facility, which is so needed. The work that has been done here is phenomenal. There is no ceiling to what any of you can achieve”.

Heidi, Lead Practitioner at Weston Bay from the faculty in Inclusive Practice, went on to say “the tenacity, problem-solving and teamwork has been absolutely incredible.”

Well done to all of the hard-working students for making the project such a great success.

To find out more about Weston Bay, click here.

To find out what’s on and follow Mead Vale Community Hall on Facebook, click here.

When welcoming learners on work experience into Touch of Beauty, we expect someone with a driven and motivated mindset, who is keen to learn on the job.

Our learner who came to experience a hands-on approach to learning Beauty Therapy was Faye. She exuded herself with outstanding confidence when working and engaging with clients due to her natural ability to chat to anyone.

When being taught different treatments that were offered at the salon, she got stuck in, regularly asking questions and determined to watch how to correctly carry out the procedure to improve to become a better beauty technician. She had completed a few pedicures and gel polish removals for clients, and learnt the do’s and don’ts of more technical processes such as eyelash extensions and eyebrow lamination.

As well as work experience benefiting Faye through her learning crucial skills, her being there also was a huge help to us. She would go above and beyond to help everyone in there, both staff and clients, and would clean up behind us before we could even ask her!

From the experience and skills she gained while working with us, we could see Faye was focused on succeeding in the beauty industry, and we are confident she is going to achieve this goal.

Faye was a fantastic compliment to the salon, and lived up to our excellent reputation, we really don’t want her to leave!

We would highly recommend taking on work experience learners from the college, as they are keen to learn, and will give you the helping hand you need; it benefits you as much as it benefits them! It gives the learners a huge amount of experience to continue on developing skills to secure a full time job in the industry.

Eleanor Kirby, Touch of Beauty

Find out about work experiences opportunities we offer and how to apply, here!

If their plant-astic performance of Little Shop of Horrors wasn’t enough, Performing Arts learners have closed the curtain on the year with an incredible visit to New York City! 

As well as a well-deserved trip away, the outgoing group visited New York for it’s world-famous theatres and Broadway performances – getting first-hand experience of performance and production from across the pond.  

Learners got to have an exclusive backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, the largest theatre in the world, before returning to watch “Chicago” the musical on Broadway. 

Level 3 learner Emily Drohan added that her “favourite part of the trip was of course getting to see a Broadway show! We had the pleasure of seeing the musical ‘Chicago’ in the Ambassador Theatre. I have dreamt about going to New York and seeing a Broadway show since I was a child so being able to see some of the most talented people in our industry on stage was very inspirational and incredible to watch.” 

On top of this, students went on a hip-hop tour of Brooklyn before getting camera-ready for tourist trips to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Ferry Trip and Times Square – just a moments walk form the group’s hotel! 

Emily continued: “On this trip I learnt how committed you must be to work in performing arts. During our trip home one of my lecturers said to me ‘imagine having to go and do 2 performances now after all this travelling throughout the night’ because when touring in this industry that is exactly what would happen! Learning realistic facts about the industry allows me to then make educated decisions about what career I want to do within the industry.” 

Once in a lifetime trips such as this are one of the career-boosting benefits that stem from the college’s newly formed Creative Arts Career Excellence Hub. These innovative subject specific hubs allow for students at Weston College to have access to exclusive opportunities. Endorsed by employers from within the industry, 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. 

Finally, Emily tells us about her time studying at Weston College: 

"I recommend studying performing arts because it is tons of fun but also teaches you about the many career choices available within performing arts. Thanks to my lecturers I always felt safe, supported and respected.

"Another point is the amazing opportunities you get on this course. In the last two years I have been to both the west end and Broadway to watch performances, I have worked with a professional touring company backstage with costumes, I have taken part in a NatWest advert and done a workshop with DanceWorks London. All these experiences has allowed me to have an amazing level of knowledge and skills that will support me in my next steps."

Click here to learn more about our phenomenal performing arts courses, perfect for anyone interested in a career in in acting, musical theatre or dance