Weston College has become the first college to sign up to the national Ban the Box campaign.

Candidates with a criminal record can now apply for jobs at the College with the knowledge that they will be assessed on their ability to do the job before any convictions are fairly considered.

However, the same rules surrounding who can legally do certain jobs will still apply, and DBS checks will still take place before any member of staff is appointed. Anyone teaching learners or working alongside College staff will have been through the same rigorous legal checks as usual.

Applicants will however, be asked to declare any such record at the point of job offering, and will undergo DBS/legal checks as all with all other applicants. Only once they are successful in passing those will they be able to accept a position.

The campaign is spearheaded by Business in the Community, and currently more than 90 UK-wide employers are signed up, with the College being the latest. Other organisations include Boots, Barclays, Bristol City Council and Virgin Trains.

The initiative will mean that the College no longer asks about criminal convictions on job application forms, instead committing to considering an applicant’s skills, experience and ability first and foremost.

Having a job can reduce a person’s chance of reoffending by up to 50%, and by signing up to Ban the Box Weston College is creating a fair chance for ex-offenders to compete for jobs and helping to keep the community safer.  

Grace Mehanna, Business in the Community’s campaign director for employment and skills, said: “Two thirds of employers admit to discriminating against people with criminal records, but the employers we work with recognise the skills and loyalty this diverse group of people can bring to their roles. Removing the barrier of a tick box can make all the difference to someone deciding to apply to your company.”

The Ofsted “Outstanding” organisation has confirmed that “Weston College is committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce, reducing barriers to employment and offering opportunities to applicants with the talent, motivation and potential to succeed. The College is already proud to be changing lives by the delivery of high quality Offender Learning and we are delighted to have signed up to this new policy. We know from experience how important it is for people with a criminal record to know that they have a fair chance of gaining legitimate employment to support them and their families and contribute positively to society. As an employer, we pride ourselves on equal opportunities for everyone and this is another step we have taken to show people that it is their skills and ability to do the job that matters.”

For more information about the work the College undertakes with ex-offenders visit www.offenderlearning.co.uk or to find out about current job vacancies across the Weston College Group, visit www.weston.ac.uk/jobs

If you'd like to know more about the 'Ban the Box' initiative visit http://www.bitc.org.uk/banthebox

Weston College is set to play a lead role in tackling the construction industry skills shortage by opening a brand new industry focused training centre.

The Weston College Construction Training Centre, based just off Junction 21 of the M5, will open in spring 2019 and represents a £3.8 million investment.

It will offer training in three key construction areas – plant operations, scaffolding, and groundworks.

As part of this initiative Weston College has partnered with scaffolding training and safety experts, Simian.

The new centre will increase the availability of Construction Industry Scaffolders’ Record Scheme (CISRS) scaffolding training in the South West. As with most construction trades, the scaffolding industry is currently experiencing a skills shortage and it is expected that the West Wick centre will assist in bridging that gap.

Established in 2005, Simian has cemented their position as industry leaders for scaffolding training and support services. Headquartered in Warrington, the firm now operates a total of four scaffolding training centres in the Midlands, North Wales (Llangefni and Wrexham) and Cheshire, with an additional Centre in east London opening in March 2019.

The new Weston Centre will deliver a large portfolio of CISRS scaffolding courses, which will include new entrant training (COTS), CISRS Part One and Two scaffolding courses, scaffolding Apprenticeships and scaffold inspection training.

Speaking of the partnership, Simian’s Managing Director, Simon Hughes said: “These are exciting times for Simian and we’re delighted to be playing our part in upskilling workers in the south west, as well as providing the opportunity for industry new entrants to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to build a career in the scaffolding sector.

“The increasing levels of UK housing and infrastructure investment mean that the current construction industry skills shortage needs addressing as a matter of urgency and as such, we’re proud to be making Scaffolding Apprenticeships and other vocational scaffolding training available locally in Weston, as this will provide new career opportunities as well as boosting the local economy.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College commented: “Weston College has worked hard to identify a strategic partner for scaffolding training at its new Construction Training Centre. We are delighted to be working with Simon and the team at Simian who are nationally renowned as leaders in the field of CISRS accredited scaffolding training and assessment.

"The financial investment to build the Centre has been provided by the College match-funding a successful bid for funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.”

Chair of the West of England LEP, Prof Steve West, said: “We’re really pleased to support the fantastic new Construction Training Centre at Weston College. This will help to equip our current and future construction workforce with the skills they need to drive forward the building of new homes, business premises and infrastructure as our region grows. It will also help them to secure better career prospects and make the most of the opportunities available right here in the West of England.”

Weston College’s drive to create 600 work-related learning opportunities in six months has smashed through the halfway point well ahead of schedule.

The ‘600 in 6’ campaign has persuaded businesses from a range of industries to pledge more than 300 opportunities in just eight weeks. These include apprenticeships, traineeships, work placements and project briefs.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “One of the greatest challenges faced by the education sector, and society as a whole, is equipping people with the skills they need in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing world.

“The ‘600 in 6’ campaign takes up that challenge by seeking to inspire the future workforce, and supplementing learning programmes with relevant workplace skills and experience.”

Among the businesses to have pledged are: University Hospitals of Bristol, Weston-super-Mare AFC, Wookey Hole Caves and Little Angels Nursery.

YMCA Dulverton Group, which has pledged to train existing staff through Flexible Learning, are also offering four apprenticeship places to Weston College learners.

Jonica Walkinshaw, Director of Training and Education at YMCA Dulverton Group, said: “We are delighted to back the 600 in 6 campaign, and to develop local talent.

“We have decided to upskill 32 existing employees through 600 in 6, and also hire four new apprentices. We cannot wait to help them on their journey, and watch them develop within our organisation.

“Weston College has been very supportive. It has allowed us to build a bespoke package, which suits the needs of the YMCA Dulverton Group.”

You can keep an eye on the campaign’s progress across social media, and through the #600in6 hashtag on Twitter.

For more information and to pledge, click here. 

You can also email the Training Solutions team at apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411 594.

Our motto ‘Creating Brighter Futures’ is clearly evident within our sporting provision.

As well as boasting fantastic facilities – including the brand-new Health and Active Living Centre (HALC) – our outstanding courses form a range of progression pathways, which have resulted in four former students being employed in our sport faculty.

We sat down with Matt, Dan, Liam and Sarah (pictured left to right) and asked them about their experiences and how the College has developed over the years.

We cannot wait to continue to build on our existing success and create brighter futures for more young people. Click here for more information on Sport courses. 

It’s fitting that Weston College has the honour of sponsoring the Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing category at this year’s Bristol Law Society Awards.

As well as supporting a vital organisation in the local legal sector, this also gives us the opportunity highlight a range of subjects that resonate closely with the College’s values and priorities.

In recent years we’ve worked extremely hard to take our law-related provision to the next level and, in doing so, support local employers that operate in the legal industry.

We created the Law and Professional Services Academy following a multi-million-pound redevelopment to of the Winter Gardens Pavilion on Weston seafront.

It features a library, new computer equipment, technology-enhanced ‘pods’ for group study, a café, classrooms and social spaces, and we’ve also been able to maintain the traditional elements of design, which make the Winter Gardens so iconic.

This bright and spacious facility offers training across law and other professional services, and provides students with a large and diverse range of training.

We’ve worked closely with hundreds of employers across the region to create specialised and professional courses that offer clear progression routes.

As well as giving students clearly defined routes into the industry, the academy enables business to access cost-effective training courses and apprenticeships that will help them develop their workforce.

Employers have the opportunity to train their staff from Level 1 to university-level and can also work with us to create bespoke courses that meet their specific business needs.

Our courses range from the Law A Level and Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship through to the CILEx Law and Practice Diploma at Level 3 and Level 6.

The sponsorship of this award also enables us to highlight another area in which we’re leading the way – that of wellbeing and mental health.

We recently devised an organisation-wide initiative to enhance the mental health, wellbeing and welfare of our learners, staff and the sider community, and ensure they have the emotional resilience to meet the increasing demands of 21st century life.

The programme consists of a framework of ‘body and mind’ initiatives, including free mindfulness, meditation, dance and yoga sessions.

It also involves forging strong partnerships with the local authority, charities and clubs; hosting a series of sports, healthy eating and wellbeing sessions; and tackling issues such as low self-esteem, low confidence and smoking cessation.

This pioneering initiative received national recognition this year, by winning an Association of Colleges Beacon Award, with judges highlighting our commitment to creating an ethos that puts mental health, wellbeing and welfare at the forefront of its investment.

Aside from this programme, we’re proud to hold both the ‘Gold’ and ‘Champion’ Investors in People accreditation, which also recognise the College’s proactive approach to the mental health, wellbeing and welfare services of its staff. The College also offers staff free Mental Health First Aid training and provide a counselling service.

This issue of health and wellbeing was also central to the development of our Health and Active Skills Centre, which opened in September. As well as tackling the current skills shortage in the sector, this impressive facility also addresses longer-term issues that affect our health service and the health of the local population.

Like the finalists in this category of the Law Society’s Awards, we recognise that the most successful and robust organisations are diverse and inclusive. It’s in the fabric of the College that everyone has the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, circumstances or background.

The finalists in this category – Barcan+Kirby, DAC Beachcroft and RPC – have all embraced these values wholeheartedly and any one of them will be a worthy winner on the night of October 24th.

I’m very much looking forward to the event and wish all three companies the very best of luck. To find out more about Weston College’s range of law courses and facilities, visit the Law and Professional Services Academy page of our website.

An upsurge in the number of apprenticeships arranged by Weston College is being matched by a dramatic growth in vacancies.

In October, the College helped to fill 35 vacancies, a 120 per cent increase on the same time last year and a record for the College.

The areas of business administration and catering/hospitality are particularly busy, with more vacancies cropping up every day.

In addition, Weston College has taken on 10 apprentices of its own in various roles.

James Wilmot, Weston College's Apprenticeship Recruitment Co-ordinator, said: “We've worked very hard over the last 12 months to improve the recruitment rate and that work has really paid off. Vacancies are increasing all the time and show no signs of slowing down.

“The good thing is that these are not ‘low grade’ jobs that have no worth. They are with strongly-performing companies committed to the training and development of all their staff, including apprentices, which shows the calibre of companies we are working with.”

Employers include North Somerset Council and Weston Area Health Trust, along with a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, garages, hair and beauty salons and estate agents.

James describes it as a 'win-win' situation. He said: “Employers get young people who are enthusiastic, eager to learn and willing to show a keen interest. The apprentices gain on-the-job experience, qualifications and an income while they learn.”

Emily Taylor, 18, from Milton, is currently working as an Apprentice Receptionist and Business Administrator at Weston College's Training Solutions in Locking Road.

In her teens she lived in the United States and when her family returned to the UK she wasn't sure what career path to follow. After an interview with Weston College she decided to take up their apprenticeship offer.

“I never thought I'd work in an office,” she said, “but I was attracted by the combination of work and study. Being a receptionist is a much more involved job than I expected, but everyone at Training Solutions is very helpful and supportive.

“I see the apprenticeship as a platform for what I'd like to do in the future. I'd like to be a PA, and maybe go back to America to work. For now, this is a fantastic way of gaining work experience and qualifications at the same time. You're given a lot of support and I can't recommend it highly enough.”
 

For more information about studying at Weston College visit http://www.weston.ac.uk or call 01934 411411. You can also visit http://www.facebook.com/apprenticeshipvacancies for the latest apprenticeship vacancies with Weston College. 

WESTON College has started work on a £1 million development  that will provide state-of-the- art facilities for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The two-part scheme at Knightstone Campus, to finish in September, includes a dedicated workshop for a range of courses including motor vehicles, painting, decorating, carpentry and bicycle maintenance. 

The second phase will create a dedicated sensory learning base for students with profound and complex learning disabilities (PCLD) and includes specialist classrooms, independent kitchen-dining area and sensory room – the first of its kind in the region.

LInda Burlison, Assistant Principal (Systems and Resources) said: “This is the first time we have been able to totally adapt facilities for PCLD students and it’s wonderful they can now come here rather than have to go out of district.”

Strategic Lead Inclusive Practice, Ben McConkey, added: “The development demonstrates the College’s commitment to partnership working with the local authority, schools and special schools.

“The key element is about involving learners and their circles of support at all stages in planning, managing and shaping their provision from their first point of contact with us.

“We are committed to enhancing our outstanding provision through supporting outcomes that are appropriate for each individual learner.”                                                                                        

Student Matthew Barrett, 18, of Worle, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Matthew will be joining the Preparation for Work and Life programme at the new centre and said: “I was hooked from my taster days at the College. I have already learnt so much here, I love the College.”

His dad, Garry added: “I’d heard of the College’s great reputation and excellent facilities. Without this specialist facility Matthew would have to go to residential college when he wanted to live at home and study locally.”

In 1981 there were just eight enrolments who required additional learning support - now there are 980 Further Education students and 57 Higher Education students receiving various levels of learning support at the College.

All students with additional needs have access to individualised support programmes from a number of specialist support teams including students on the Autism Spectrum, students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and students with: Specific Learning Difficulties; ADHD/ADD; Visual Impairments and Complex Learning Disabilities.

Weston College also has a unique facility for people with autism – a 10-bedroom hotel – which is the first of its kind in the UK.

Weston Bay Hotel specialises in support for learners on the Autism Spectrum helping them to access and progress to higher education, independent living and employment.

The resource teaches students to understand and manage their learning difficulties as well as promoting independent living and improved career opportunities.

Weston College is the only centre in the UK which offers their support staff a career structure involving specialism to graduate level.

In 2014 OFSTED graded Weston College ‘Outstanding’.

In addition the Special Education Needs and Review Team stated: ‘The College Support for learning is outstanding; support workers are highly experienced and often very well qualified, with specific areas of expertise such as behaviour management or visual impairment. Links to specialist provision and support agencies are very strong.’

Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group and the largest UK contractor, has entered into a partnership with Weston College to provide work experience to its construction students.

As part of the application process, each student had to write an introductory letter and CV, before being interviewed by a panel consisting of two managers from Balfour Beatty (Scott Morris, Site Manager, and Kate Powell, Sustainable Design Manager) and Shaun Canniford, Weston College’s Curriculum Manager for its construction provision.

The students performed well, resulting in all five of them being offered a placement with the company.

Shaun Canniford said: “When Balfour Beatty approached the College asking if they could offer work experience to our students we were keen to take them up on their offer.

“The opportunity for students to work for such a recognised company was an offer we couldn’t turn down. On the interview day, the students were a great credit to themselves and the College.

“I would like to thank Kate Powell and Scott Morris from Balfour Beatty for their enthusiasm and commitment to the project.”

Mark Stephens, Project Manager for Balfour Beatty, who is currently managing the Bristol Airport West terminal extension said: “We are really looking forward to having the students on site and we will do all we can to make their experience as enjoyable and educational as possible, helping them to gain valuable on-site experience.”

An innovative Weston College-led partnership has secured the go-ahead for a plan to help unemployed people in the West of England find employment.

The project, entitled ‘West of England Works’, is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme and involves a range of voluntary and community organisations based in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

£6 million of funding has been awarded to the partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, and it is hoped that West of England Works will support at least 1537 young people and adults into gaining employment through a community-based support programme.

Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “This partnership will bring unique and innovative opportunities to people in the region, and will support those furthest from the labour market to move towards, or secure, sustainable employment or training.

“Partnership and working with local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations has been key to the development of West of England Works and the success of this bid.

“This could not have been achieved without the West of England Civil Society Partnership, which works with local organisations that support people in communities across the area, breaking down barriers and working across boundaries.”

The partnership was launched on the 8th of December 2016 at a meeting of key stakeholders in Weston College’s Conference Centre.