Recently our A Level Media learners welcomed an industry professional to deliver an exciting guest lecture about experience in the film industry and setting up a media business. 

Like the current A Level Media students, Sheikh Shahnawaz (Nawaz) started in the industry by studying A Level Media at his local college in Birmingham. Since then, he has built a vast portfolio of industry networks and experiences, including directing his first feature film "Bluff" (available on Amazon Prime to stream). Recently he has started his own social media & video agency called "Ozel Creative", aiming to provide film production and marketing services all around the UK. 

Nawaz was able to host sessions to both Year 1 and Year 2 students. He motivated Year 1 students by sharing his past projects/experiences in the creative industries and providing valuable advice on what it takes to complete a successful film production for distribution. For Year 2s, he differentiated by focusing on potential opportunities upon completing A Levels, including employment or further education. Whether freelancing or overseeing his own media business, he emphasised the importance of exploring every opportunity and connection in the industry. The students also worked in pairs/groups to discuss a unique idea for a new media business to pitch Nawaz for funding. The interactive sessions really raised their confidence and ability to adapt to new challenges. 

Nawaz said: "It was my pleasure to talk to the students, I really enjoyed being able to share my experiences and hopefully made an impact on some of them to choose media as a career.". 

Ethan, Sixth Form Media Lecturer, added: "I asked the students to think of the bigger picture, beyond A Levels, on their futures and passions in media. Think of the potential employment roles and opportunities in the creative industries. Don't be afraid to try and experiment by coming up with new ideas and working at them. They can really become the next generation of media producers and content creators!" 

Overall, the students really valued Nawaz's talk on contemporary media practice, and they gained a lot which could benefit their upcoming coursework production and future industry employment. 

To find out more about A Level Media, click here. 

Last year we met Jonathan, who applied for our HGV Skills Bootcamp – and three months after completing his test, is enjoying his job as a lorry driver!

Our free HGV Skills Bootcamps are delivered in partnership with West of England Combined Authority, to residents of the South West, looking to gain a Category C Licence, which allows them to drive vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 32 tonnes.

Jonathan was someone that always had an interest in lorries, but decided to use this opportunity to further his career. He said: “A close friend of mine decided to return to driving and he sent me the details of the course. As I was unemployed at the time and only doing the odd days work through agencies, I decided to take this opportunity to acquire my HGV Class 1 (LGV C+E) and turn my interest into a career.”

The HGV Skills Bootcamps offer participants free, flexible courses that last up to 16 weeks, with those that successfully complete the course being guaranteed a job interview.

Jonathan added: “The course was a mix of classroom and online based learning programme and as a self-confessed habitual student, I enjoyed this side of the course. My highlight of the course though was when it came to the actual driving as I was expecting to start in a Class 2 (Rigid) and was introduced straight away to a Class 1 articulated lorry. I was helped along the way by my instructor Mark, who was very encouraging – he inspired me with confidence that I could do this.”

On competition of the course, Jonathan started working with DX Freight, where he is an HGV Class 1 Driver.

On his first day, he was asked to drive to Heathrow, and as part of this, he had to swap trailers. Jonathan said of the experience: “It was a challenge, but one that I took up. I found this quite daunting at first to be honest, as I hadn't driven a truck since passing my test.”

Jonathan was new to the logistics industry, and has continued to impress his employer with this skills and work ethic.

He added: “If you’re considering the HGV course, I would say go for it! If you enjoy driving and travelling to different places.”

Find out more about our HGV Skills Bootcamps, by clicking here.

Joining Us From School in September? Then Make Sure You book Onto Your Welcome Evening!

Welcome Evenings will provide you with further key information about your chosen subject area and the programme for which you have applied. It will also give you an opportunity to have a more in-depth look at our facilities, meet staff and get any answers to questions you might have around what you will learn, how you will be assessed and the wider support arrangements available. This is a crucial stage in your applicant journey, as we will make sure you know all the key dates and activities coming up before you start your programme. We want you to be well informed and leave feeling confident that you have made the right choice for your post-16 learning.

Weston College appreciates the crucial role parents/carers and families play in supporting their children to settle in at college and be successful on their programme. We would therefore actively encourage all parent/carers to attend with their child.