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.
Hello, I’m Sharna. I’m a Business Administration apprentice, in the Traineeship team at Weston College.
For National Apprenticeship Week, I am going to be telling you about my experience as an apprentice, here at Weston College.
I started my apprenticeship in March 2018 and it has been a really exciting journey. I was very anxious to start my new job as I had never worked in an office environment before and I wasn’t familiar with this sort of work. As soon as I started everyone was so nice to me, and always willing to help which allowed me to settle in quickly.
Being a part of the Weston College team has allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge within the business admin sector. I was very fortunate to be invited to attend the 2018 Business Awards, which gave me a chance to witness the hard work and dedication it takes to be a Weston College employee. I was also given the opportunity to work on social media throughout the night, which was a great experience.
Throughout my time working in the Training Solutions team, I have been given multiple opportunities to support the staff as well as the learners - providing administration and recruitment support. This is something which I have really enjoyed, as I have been able to influence learner outcomes and development.
I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who is looking for experience and to try something new. It is the perfect way to get the work experience you need to kick off your career. I haven’t looked back since starting my apprenticeship, it was definitely the right route for me to take, and it has allowed me to get my foot in the door at Weston College.
For more information on apprenticeships, click here.
With Brexit around the corner, many organisations are looking for new ways of bringing talent into their business. One approach that is often overlooked, is employing an ex-offender.
By giving an ex-offender the opportunity to get back into work, you’ll have access to this pool of work-ready talent.
Our work providing education in 19 prisons has revealed the untapped potential that’s available. There have been numerous success stories, including ‘Billy’.
‘Billy’ struggled to find a job after being released from prison. He had many skills to offer, having previously worked in retail and managerial roles, but, having been out of work for a while, lacked confidence.
‘Billy’ was knocked back for roles he was more than capable of doing, and set out to change the perception employers have of people with criminal convictions.
‘Billy’ decided that to find employment he would have to get some ‘work experience’, so he completed an extended placement with a well-known high-street store. His confidence soon grew, as he received excellent feedback from customers and his employer. He also had a hugely positive effect on the store and showed he was capable of more responsibility.
‘Billy’, whose skills had not gone unnoticed, soon outgrew his placement and landed a role as an assistant manager. He is now going from strength to strength in his new role, and his employer was thrilled to find such a high-calibre candidate. ‘Billy’ has certainly helped change the perception of those within his business of ex-offenders, and the store has definitely benefited from his expertise.
If you are interested in discovering the opportunities that ex-offenders can offer your business, get in touch today through the 600 in 6 page of our website.
Amazing make-up and incredible costumes…
The Production Arts Runway took place earlier this week and wowed an audience with a runway performance of technically stunning body art, hair and costumes. All of these were designed and put together by our second year Production Arts learners and focused around a superhero/supervillain theme, hence the title of the runway: ‘Kryptonite’. This showcase of talent formed part of the learner’s Final Major Project; supported by the Performing Arts students, in the form of as dancers and models.
From concept to creation, the Production Arts learners had been working on their final characters for 10 weeks. ‘Runway day’ began with learners starting preparation from 8am, working on their models for over 8 hours to perfect their full body artwork. The final result was a stunning, diverse display featuring amazing body painting, make-up, hair, props and incredible costumes.
Overall, the evening was a fantastic success with high praise coming from both parents and staff.
Kirsten Harrison, Lecturer in Production Arts, commented: “We are all incredibly proud of our learners. They have all worked exceptionally hard and have come a long way since starting their journey with us. They have developed into extremely strong and capable make-artists. Each one of them have a bright future in creative industry.
“All of our learners will be progressing onto university level courses or the brilliant UAL pre-degree programme. Words can hardly justify how extremely proud we are.”
The Production Arts Runway was part of SWATCH, the annual Creative Arts Summer Festival, showcasing work from students spanning over multiple weeks across various venues in Weston-super-Mare.
Click here to read more about the other upcoming events from Creative Arts Summer Festival
Well done to all those who took part and a massive thank-you to staff that co-ordinated and helped these learners reach their full potential.
Weston College is set to play a lead role in training the animal management staff of the future due to their new partnership with Puxton Park and funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The College has joined forces with Puxton Park, which will enable learners to develop industry-specific skills working within the park’s extensive farmland, facilities and wide range of farm and domestic animals, which will significantly enhance the employability skills of learners.
Puxton Park is providing 2050 m2 land to the College to create the new £1.4m Animal Management Education Centre. Significant financial investment has been provided by the College’s successful bid for £990,000 funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
The new centre will utilise low carbon techniques and create an inclusive education facility for delivery of the practical elements of the animal management curriculum.
The centre will comprise of three classrooms, storage, wash-space, toilets, office and a student breakout area.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “Puxton Park is an outstanding and well-known venue, boasting a huge range of facilities, resources and animals.”
“This innovative and exciting partnership provides a wealth of opportunities for learners, to develop practical skills with species to suit everyone’s interests from reptiles to large farm animals through to birds of prey.”
“With future skills gaps identified and the excellent access of Puxton Park on the A370, this partnership will allow us to develop our animal management provision and provide learners throughout the region with the skills they need to succeed in this exciting industry.”
Chair of the West of England LEP, Prof Steve West, said: “We are really pleased to support the new Animal Management Education Centre being delivered by Weston College in partnership with Puxton Park. It offers a learning facility which will meet increased demand and provide a sustainable future for high quality education and skills programmes aimed at meeting the needs of employers in the visitor economy and land-based sectors in the West of England.”
West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles said: “The new centre at Weston College will help prepare young people, apprentices and higher education students for successful careers in this important sector for the region. The use of low carbon techniques throughout the Animal Management Education Centre supports our ambitions for clean growth, as set out in our Local Industrial Strategy.”
Alistair Mead, Managing Director of Puxton Park, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Weston College.”
“Puxton Park was originally built with the intention of being an educational working farm. Over the past 12 years, the park has grown in many ways; however, our roots as a place of learning and growth are deeply ingrained in everything we offer which is why we feel so passionate about supporting and working with future veterinary nurses, animal keepers, animal scientists, farmers and vets.”
The animal care sector is forecast to grow by up to 12% by 2024 and you can still join the College to start this September and be one of the first learners to benefit from this exciting opportunity. Find out more about the College’s animal management courses below:
Level 2 & Level 3 Uniformed Public Services students spent the morning on Weston seafront, taking part in engaging exercise drills with the Royal Marine Commandos.
After dusting off the sand, students listened to a presentation and then had the opportunity to ask the Lympstone based Marines questions about the armed forces and how they might be able to give themselves the edge if they wish to follow related careerpaths.
One student added: "This was my first time ever meeting a member of the marines. It was really inspiring and they made me realise how I can push myself make the most of the opportunities in front of me."
Thank-you to the Marines for coming in, passing on their knowledge and inspiring our students!
The group of Geography A-level students took a minibus down to the attraction near St Austell, and after a welcome lecture were given a tour of the Mediterranean and Tropical Biodomes.
Humidity was very high in the Tropical Biodome, adding to the authenticity of the experience. The students were given the opportunity to climb up to a viewing platform 30 metres from the ground so they could see the flora and fauna from above.
College lecturer Richard Hall, who accompanied the students, said: “This was a great experience of learning first hand and close up about Biodiversity, and with the combination of lectures, guided tour and free time to explore, it certainly enhanced enjoyment of this aspect of the course.”
* Pic shows students (left to right) James Savage, Charlie Cox, Luke Flannigan, Will Payne, Josh Hoare-Matthews, Vanessa Wall, Leanne Bryant.
A new recruitment agency to help companies interested in employing apprentices has been launched by Weston College.
Brighter Futures Recruitment will enable employers to enjoy the benefits of recruiting new workers through apprenticeship schemes without having to worry about bureaucracy or long-term commitments.
The agency will provide two new apprenticeship models designed to suit the needs of every business, as well as the traditional apprenticeship model.
The traditional model is where the apprentice is employed directly by the business, and the training provider is Weston College, which was rated ‘Outstanding’ at its last Ofsted inspection.
However, for companies that require greater flexibility, Brighter Futures Recruitment offers a new service whereby the agency acts as the employer on behalf of the business and deals with all paperwork and legalities.
This option has two models. One is the Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) Probation Model, in which the apprentice is employed by the agency for an agreed amount of time and the prospective employer can observe them in their work environment before offering direct employment.
The other is the ATA model, which involves the apprentice being employed by the agency for the duration of their apprenticeship.
Helen Booker, Contracts Manager at Brighter Futures Recruitment, explained: “This is a unique recruitment agency, which aims to place apprentices in employment and to support companies interested in employing an apprentice, but concerned about the demands involved in taking on more staff.
“We appreciate that every business is different so we offer various models of apprenticeships for employers.
"We can support them in finding and hiring the perfect candidate and then act as the employer for an agreed amount of time.”
Brighter Futures Recruitment is based within the Business Enterprise Centre at the Weston College South West Skills Campus.
Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “We are delighted to be delivering the new ATA models in conjunction with the National Apprenticeship Service to help businesses of any size to discover the value of having an apprentice.”
For further information on Brighter Futures Recruitment, go to www.brighterfuturesrecruitment.co.uk or call 01934 411 594.
Weston College has set up an advice service for employers to help guide them through the new apprenticeship levy, due to be introduced in April 2017.
Last Friday (12th August) the government published proposals for a new funding model for apprenticeships and further details on the apprenticeship levy. The funding will support people of all ages to gain high-quality skills and experience and help employers to offer more training opportunities and build a skilled workforce.
The key points are:
- The start date for accessing the new funding system will be 1st May 2017
- The system applies to both levy and non-levy paying employers
- Starts prior to 1st May will be funded for the duration of the apprenticeship under current funding terms and conditions in place at start of programme
- Non-levy paying employers will not use the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) until at least 2018
- 15 funding bands have been proposed, with the upper limit of these bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. All existing and new apprenticeship frameworks and standards will be placed within one of these funding bands
- Co-investment is a requirement of the new system for non-levy paying employers or employers who have used up their levy and it is proposed that employers co-invest 5 per cent of the costs, with government paying the remaining 95 per cent
- For employers with less than 50 employees it is proposed to waive the co-investment element if these employers take on a 16 to 18-year-old apprentice
- English and maths functional skills funding will not require an employer contribution nor will it be taken from levy paying employer’s accounts; it will continue to be paid directly to the provider
- Re-training – it is proposed that eligible learners will be able to undertake apprenticeships at a lower level than their current education level ‘to acquire substantive new skills’.
The levy was first introduced in the 2015 autumn statement and in response to a number of enquiries Weston College has set up a Levy Solution Service.
Liz Redwood, Executive Director of Apprenticeships and Commercial Strategy, said: “Weston College is able to support you through this process whether you are a levy paying employer or non-levy paying employer.
“We can help you begin to plan how to make the most of the new system, so please contact the Apprenticeships Team on 01934 411 594 or email us on business.enterprise.centre@weston.ac.uk to book a free advice and guidance session."
Art, fashion and textiles, and photography students at Weston College held a successful art show at the College's Sixth Form Centre on Loxton Road.
The show displayed work from second year A Level students, all of which contributes to their final projects, and gave visitors from outside the college a chance to see what they have been working on and discuss this with the students.
Several awards were also given out on the evening, including Head of Faculty’s award, won by Caitlin Hartman, and awards for art, photography and textiles won by Caitlin Dawkes, Matt Szymankiewicz and Neve Lynch respectively.
Ryan Aves, Team Leader for Creative and Maths, said: “We are extremely proud of the work presented by our students in the 2017 Sixth Form Art, Fashion and Photography show. They have all been very imaginative with their ideas and the results of this professional approach will yield excellent A level outcomes in the summer.
“The opening night was attended by many family and friends of the students, and since then local artists as well as teachers and pupils from local schools have been to look at the varied nature of the work.
“The excellent work will surely ensure visitors consider Weston Sixth Form as a great place to study art, photography and textiles.”
A selection of first year art work was also included in the show, which stretched across the entirety of the first floor of the Sixth Form.
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.
