Generous staff at Weston College’s Training Solutions are donating money to charity this year rather than sending Christmas cards to one another.

A decision was made by the staff to place one card to all staff members on a communal noticeboard and then make a donation to international charity ‘World Vision’.

Training Solutions, who are one of the largest training providers in the South West, offer a diverse Apprenticeship programme. It was therefore decided that all monies raised would go towards buying ‘Woman’s Apprenticeship’ gifts from the charity.

These gifts pay for less privileged women to learn new skills, from handicrafts to tailoring and baking, and will help unemployed women find a job and earn an income for their family.

High unemployment is hitting women particularly hard in third world countries. They are struggling to gain marketable skills and losing out on opportunities even when they have the qualifications and ability to do the job. This project aims to change this.

The Women’s Apprenticeship, which can be purchased from www.musthavegifts.org, is just £18, and the Training Solutions team are hoping to buy as many of these as they can this year.

World Vision ‘must have gifts’ are special because they are genuinely needed. Other gifts include mosquito nets, birth certificates, chickens and scholarships for children.

Training Solutions offers a wide range of training including Apprenticeships and NVQs, the majority of which are delivered in the workplace. They currently work with more than 1000 businesses and organisations supporting them to achieve significant improvements in overall performance. They achieve this through helping organisations maximise the performance of one of their most expensive resources - their people.

For further information please call Training Solutions on 01934 411594.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Four Weston College apprentices have been recruited by a high-growth local company which launched with three staff in 2007 and now employs over 40 people.

Purplex Marketing, based on Oldmixon Crescent, has taken on four IT apprentices as part of its ambitious growth strategy.

College Apprenticeships Recruitment Coordinator James Wilmot said: “Apprenticeship applications have risen considerably because businesses like Purplex are seeing benefits.

“They can mould someone to the company's needs and put them at the heart of their business. More than 90 per cent of our apprentices are offered permanent jobs by their employers at the end of their training programme.”

Purplex Marketing, part of the Ascot Group, was founded by Andrew Scott and is one of the fastest growing marketing technology companies in the UK.

 It plans to double its 40-strong staff by 2017 in areas such as web design, search engine marketing, app development and social media.

Andrew said: “I am delighted to welcome the four new apprentices from Weston College.

“Our digital marketing division continues to grow rapidly as we attract clients locally and from across the UK and Europe.

“It is essential we develop our team to keep pace with growth and new technologies, and introducing Apprenticeships will help train the next generation of digital marketing experts.”

More than 90 per cent of Weston College apprentices were offered permanent jobs by their employers at the end of their training programmes – a 46 per cent increase in filled jobs compared to last year.

The College currently supports 1,200 Apprentices and works with 1,400 employers. It is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region.

Its new Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus on Locking Road provide businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.

The College offers a wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over with adults looking for a new career via training or an alternative to A Levels.

The College's Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners can progress through these levels while continuing to work alongside experienced and skilled staff.

The 50-strong team of work based learning Assessors work with more than 1400 organisations in the South West.

The College was also the first in the South West to launch the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme enabling employees to gain university level qualifications while working in areas such as accountancy, care and business.

Although apprentices receive workplace training, they access the same College benefits as students including bus passes, gym sessions, discounted driving lessons plus hair and beauty treatments.

For more information about taking on an Apprentice contact the Training Solutions Team on 01934 411 594.

A Weston College student has beaten over 3,000 competitors to represent the South West at the National Electrical Apprentice of the Year competition to be held in Stafford in June.

Ben Vanstone, who is currently studying a Level 3 Electrical Installation course, competed against students and apprentices from across the region and came first in the regional competition, overcoming three previous rounds of competition prior to the regional final, winning an iPad in the process.

Ben will now go head-to-head against seven other students/apprentices from across the UK for a chance to be named National Electrical Apprentice of the Year 2016 and win a £2,000 prize.

The results will be announced at an awards ceremony for the finalists and their friends and families in June.

Ben said: “The College has been fantastic, supporting me and helping me every step of the way. I can’t thank the lecturers enough.

“I have learnt so much and have a great, well paid career ahead of me “.

Chris Simpson, Weston College’s Building Engineering Services and Environmental Technology Manager, said: “It is excellent to see the hard work, effort and commitment Ben has shown to his studies is reflected in this national achievement, both ourselves and his employer are really proud as it is such a prestigious accolade within the electrical industry “ 

The Electrical Apprentice of the Year competition is an annual contest organised by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting and the electrical self-assessment organisation, ELECSA.

The competition’s aim is to recognise the talents of the brightest electrical students in the UK.

For part two of our hair and beauty special, Sandra Bull, Weston College’s Hair and Beauty Curriculum Manager (who has over 25 years’ experience in the hairdressing industry), answers some of the most frequently asked hairdressing questions…

Click here to read part one of our hair and beauty special!

How often should I shampoo my hair?

This depends on your hair type and personal preferences. Your hair can actually clean itself, however your hair naturally dehydrates during the day from wind, pollution and sunlight, so washing it regularly is important to maintain its health.

It’s important to make sure you wash your hair with a shampoo made for your hair type, and always double wash.

Oily hair should be washed daily and dry hair should be washed a maximum of three times per week using a smaller amount of shampoo. If you’re a brunette or have curly hair you can wash it every two to three days.

How can I make my hair feel soft?

First of all, brush your hair before and after showering to get rid of any knots or tangles. Brushing before helps you to shampoo and condition your hair. When you’re in the shower, use shampoo and conditioner that matches your hair type. When shampooing, soak your hair and use lukewarm water. A good tip is to use half the amount of shampoo you usually use but wash your hair twice.

Turn the water’s heat down when conditioning and comb the conditioner evenly through your hair. To ensure the conditioner isn’t washed out, turn the shower off while doing this. Rinse the conditioner out of your hair with cold water as this seals the cuticle and gives your hair a good shine.

Don’t blow dry as this can damage and dry out your hair. Instead, use a towel to pat it dry.

How can I find out more about hairdressing?

Weston College offers a range of hair and barbering courses from introductory level right up to salon management at Level 4. These courses can give you practical experience with real clients and enable you to learn from industry professionals.

With the looming UCAS deadline (15th January) many students are confused and wondering what is best to do…

If you’re still undecided on where to go or what to study, check out this short guide to picking the best university and course for you.

What courses are you passionate about?

If you find a course that you’re interested in then it will make your time at university fly by. If you love the course then those all-nighters in the library will not feel quite so bad and your grades will be represented by the extra work you put in.

Read the course details

It would be a bit of a pain if you turn up at university and one of your modules isn’t right for you. Make sure you check (and double check) the course details to find the course best suited to you and your future aspirations.

Employment routes

The job market is very competitive, searching for a university with a good reputation when it comes to getting graduates into work should certainly be a strong consideration. Some universities include work experience as part of their course and you can even get a year’s internship in industry which will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for your first graduate position.

Do you want to stay at home?

If you like your home comforts then you certainly would not be alone in not wanting to move to halls. Many students live at home and commute to university, so if you think you’re not ready to leave just yet - look at your options close to home. After your first year you might then feel ready to flee the nest, and you can choose exactly who you’re going to live with. We have a fantastic university centre on our doorstep, which delivers a range of high-quality degrees in partnership with Bath Spa and the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Do you want to leave home?

If you’re the opposite and can’t wait to leave then it is worth considering the distance. You might surprise yourself when you move away and want to visit home more regularly than you originally planned so it’s worth considering transport options. After all a four hour train journey is a bit far to get your washing done.

Money

Becoming a student is not cheap, you will receive a student loan but it is worth researching the cost of living in the area your top choice universities are based. Some areas of the country are very expensive and being able to afford to live has to be a top consideration as you will be there for at least three years.  

Go with your gut

Finally, it is definitely worth going with your gut. You are most likely getting told to go different places by different people and these might not be universities that you would normally consider. It is best to go with what you feel personally is best and suits you, and this should make settling in a lot easier.

Don’t stress too much about this deadline, there is always the opportunity to go through clearing if necessary once you have received your grades. If you need any guidance on your application then contact UCAS lead Hamish Gilpin on hamish.gilpin@weston.ac.uk, or call on 01934 422742. 

A National Careers Service adviser is now available to provide you with one-to-one impartial careers advice and guidance at Weston College.

The National Careers Service provides free information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice, supported by qualified careers advisers.

The sessions are available for adults (aged 19+) and Jobcentre Plus customers aged 18 and over between 9am and 5pm on Mondays at the Knightstone Campus. You don't have to be enrolled on a Weston College course to have access to this service.

The careers adviser can support you with advice on careers, writing a CV and job hunting.

Weston College launched an Aspiring Managers Programme at Avon Fire and Rescue training centre in Bath last week (10th May 2018). The Aspiring Managers Programme was created in partnership with Avon Fire and Rescue following Weston College’s success in the tender process to deliver a Team Leading Level 3 Apprenticeship.

The programme will develop 22 Team Leaders from different departments within Avon Fire and Rescue, and is due to last 18 months. At the end of the programme the 22 learners will have gained greater management knowledge and also a Level 3 qualification.

Liz Marchant, Learning and Development Manager at Avon Fire and Rescue, said: “We are so pleased to have secured Weston College as a training provider for our new management programme. This will provide vital development for our first-line managers, across Operational, Control room and Support staff areas.

“It is an exciting time for us and we are proud to forge a partnership with the College both in recruitment of apprentices and developing our existing staff.”

Tracie Leahy, Head of Apprenticeship Sales and Recruitment at Weston College, added: “We are delighted to be working with Avon Fire and Rescue and building a partnership with them to deliver this Aspiring Managers Programme.

“We have worked together to produce a bespoke training programme that will inspire the next generation of leaders within Avon Fire and Rescue. We are excited for the programme to get underway and wish the learners the best of luck.”

Over 1,200 students attended Weston College’s annual Brighter Futures Fair at the Winter Gardens.

The fair provides College students with the opportunity to meet a range of employers and education providers, and make a more informed decision about their next steps.

Universities and businesses were among 50 exhibitors at the event, including EDF Energy, Osborne Clarke, The Honeytree Day Nursery, University of Bristol and First Group.

Emma Cox, Training Co-Ordinator at exhibitor Thatchers Cider, said: “We strongly believe in offering local young people career opportunities, so it was exciting to be involved in the Brighter Futures Fair and meet so many Weston College learners.

“We have a wide variety of career opportunities within Thatchers and working closely with Weston College has enabled us to source local talent.”

Ben Cocks, Assistant Director – School Engagement and Learner Growth – at Weston College, said: “We were delighted to host another successful careers fair – one that provided our learners with an opportunity to talk to a real range of exhibitors.

“We feel it is critical to provide our learners with the platform to engage with both employers and universities, as this will help them make an informed decision on their next steps.”

There was also the opportunity for the learners to win some exciting prizes, including an Amazon Echo, Lasseter's restaurant vouchers and a Swansea monopoly set. There 14 prize winners were:

• Chloe Peacock

• Chloe Pritchard

• Skylar Beacham

• Kraig Taylor-Bryant

• Josh Mitchell

• Mark Tapley

• Jaida White

• Kieran Perry

• Charlotte Bailey

• Tasin Ahmed

• Alistair Cameron-Kettle

• Blake Goodare

• Lottie Gwer

• Ewan Barnfather

Weston College has set up a new competition to recognise students’ volunteering efforts.

The Community-Based Volunteering Project requires students to dedicate time to an organisation of their choosing over a set period.

As well as being hugely rewarding, the project is a fantastic opportunity to build employment contacts and will look great on CVs.

To enter the competition, learners must contact a charity or organisation they would like to help and put together a project proposal. This should include the organisation name, proposed number of hours and the resulting benefits.

Proposals must then be emailed to volunteering@weston.ac.uk and approved before the volunteering can take place. Once the projects have been completed and evaluated, a group of winners will be announced on the 14th June 2019. They will be awarded a financial fund to spend in agreement with tutors.

As well as entering the competition, learners can earn a Weston College Volunteering Award. This recognises the commitment and dedication that is shown show by volunteering. The award is structured into three tiers – bronze, silver and gold – which correspond to the number of hours spent volunteering within each academic year.

For more details, read to the Community Based Volunteering Project and Volunteering Award Guide or email volunteering@weston.ac.uk.