News and events
We aim to keep you up-to-date with the very latest Weston College news and events. Take a look below at what's going on at the College!
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Latest events at Weston College
Latest news and developments at Weston College
Learners from our Business Career Excellence Hub have raised an incredible £5,170 for Weston Hospicecare, through the Business Enterprise Challenge.
Now in it’s second year, the Business Enterprise Challenge sees Business students split into18 groups, and tasked with raising money for Weston Hospicecare. Each group are given a Business Mentor, as well as a £50 donation for a start-up budget. The challenge is to turn their £50 into the most profit, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Each group of learners have created their business plan, which includes sourcing products, developing their pricing strategy, coming up with a marketing plan and then selling their product or service.
The groups ran their businesses from October to January, and included companies that created ‘Christmas Treat Baubles’ for pets, sustainable eco-friendly biodegradable ‘Self Care Packages’ and an events management business.
Dean of Faculty for Professional Studies Access to HE & Animal Science at Weston College, Helen George, said: “We are so proud of what our learners have achieved as part of this challenge. Over the course of the challenge, we have seen learners grow in confidence, increase their understanding of running a business and build vital skills that will support them throughout their future careers.
Most importantly learners have raised a lot of money for Weston Hospicecare, which has been the driving force behind the success we have seen to date.
Thank you to our Business Mentors who have provided such valuable advice, guidance and feedback to the learners. We really appreciate their support.”
Each group of learners presented their experiences to a judging panel, as well as sharing how much they raised, which resulted in four award winning groups:
- Fundraisers Achievement Award – Isabelle, Abi, Elena, Lauren, Inga, Lloyd, and Wiktor
- Best Presentation Award – Nicole, Ella, Olivia, Milly, Eva, and Amanda
- Product Innovation Award – Paige, Martyna, and Eloise
- Employer Engagement/Networking Award – Thomas, Charlotte, Grace, Harry, Reg, and Daniel
- Overall Winners Award – Jodine, Melwin, Harry, Samuel, Maddison, and Denver.
Philppa Haynes, Founder of Insight 101 Brand Strategy Consultant, and mentor to our overall winners, said: “I’ve always been impressed by the commitment of Weston College to its students. The Enterprise Challenge Awards, sponsored by Weston Hospicecare, is yet another feather in their cap. As a mentor for the winning team which raised over £1000, I’m so proud of the students. Guts, determination and a little bit of flair were very much key to their success.”
Ben Whitwell, Creative Director Benji Graphics, and also a mentor, said “This was a really great project to be involved with, not only did it raise a fantastic amount for Weston Hospicecare, but it gave us a chance to work with really passionate and enthusiastic students from Weston College. It was really rewarding seeing their project through from planning through to sales and great to see them rewarded for all their efforts. I’ll be back next year, and I’m coming back to win with my team!
If you would like to find out more about studying a business course at Weston College, click here.
When I left school, I worked in my local council’s environmental health department admin team over the summer before completing my A-Levels. I got a job as an estate agent but sadly the office I worked for closed during the financial crisis of 2008. I found myself suddenly out of work until I spotted an advert for maternity cover in the support team in Environmental Health at Mid Devon District Council.
I loved working as a Business Support Officer on the front line of the service taking calls, helping the public with such a wide range of interesting enquiries, from swarming bees to smoky bonfires; pub kitchen complaints to mouldy houses; and working to support the officers across all the environmental health disciplines in their roles. As I had a background in housing, I concentrated on support for the EH officers working in Private Sector Housing. It was really satisfying to be part of the team that made a difference for people that live in poor housing or needed an adaptation so they can safely access their homes. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the EH officers was infectious.
After having my children, I completed the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) training, became a member of the CIEH and started becoming more involved in casework. My hard work paid off and I was promoted to Private Sector Housing (PSH) officer. However, I still wasn’t a qualified Environmental Health Practitioner and was eager to learn more. Then I spotted an advert in Environmental Health News (EHN) for the apprenticeship degree and found out my employer was happy to support me on the course.
I am now in my second year of study and love how much more confident I am at doing my job already. I work four days a week and attend lectures once a week at the University Centre in Weston, or sometimes I join the lectures online. I keep in touch with my fellow students during the week and we’re always on a WhatsApp chat to run ideas past each other. The flexibility is great having the option to study from home, and my manager is so supportive.
It has been a challenge learning to be a student again; getting to grips with homework and fitting in time to research and write assignments, but I am fortunate enough to have a supportive husband and family around me. I have also found that my two children have benefitted from seeing mum study; we sit down together to do our homework!
In 2018 I decided I wanted to complete a Digital and Technology Solutions BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship, to further my development and provide me with a valuable next step in my career.
I had already completed a Level 3 apprenticeship, and was working as a Software Developer at NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (NHS SCWCSU). My employer was really supportive, and I started my apprenticeship working with them for the first two years, before moving to the UK Hydrographic Office.
The apprenticeship really supported me in my development, and gave me a lot of highlights. It is difficult to give one overall highlight, so I’ll give two.
Firstly, the people. It was interesting meeting lots of people from varied backgrounds and ages that had decided that this was the rout for them, and I’ve made some lasting friendships from the apprenticeship.
Secondly, the opportunity to play with different technologies to what I’d use day-to-day in work. The programming assignments really gave me latitude to experiment in a way I otherwise wouldn’t find time for.
I completed my apprenticeship in the summer, and now I’m a Software Engineer working for JustEatTakeaway.com, the parent entity of Just Eat and Takeaway.com, solving interesting authentication and authorization problems at scale.
If you’re considering an apprenticeship, then you should do it. It will be difficult at times, and stressful at times, trying to balance work and degree work, but it’s worth it in the end. For me, the sense of accomplishment alone was worth it, but the degree without any debt hanging over you is also very nice and opens up new doors for you.
Hugo Woodiwiss
Find out more about our degree apprenticeships, by clicking here.
