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
Weston College is thrilled to announce, that for the 5th year running, we have been selected as a Microsoft Showcase College – one of just 14 in the UK!
The status is awarded to colleges that demonstrate ‘a commitment to education transformation and empowering educators and students to innovate and exercise a growth mindset.’
As a ‘Microsoft Showcase College’, the college will continue to benefit from the IT giant’s support in the personalised learning of students. This includes the use of one-to-one devices and Office 365 Education, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Skype, Minecraft and more.
Microsoft will also share ideas to enhance staff development, student employability and innovation, as well as providing the College with opportunities to host Microsoft-branded educational events.
Our Digital Learning team has been working tirelessly to enable this to work from behind the scenes, so without their incredible work, this wouldn’t have been possible - thank you to everyone involved!
Jon Hofgartner, Assistant Principal for Digital Technologies, commented: “Being recognised as a Microsoft Showcase College status for a fifth-year running is a fantastic achievement for our learners, our staff and the college. This valuable partnership with Microsoft reflects our shared goals in developing future ready skills for the rapidly changing digital landscape and economy.”
He continued, “Working with Microsoft, we can bring new technologies to extend our outstanding education and training. For example, in 2022/23 Weston College will be introducing virtual labs for Computing students to develop higher-level digital skills and new hybrid classrooms that enable learners to attend both online and on-campus. New certification opportunities also mean staff and learners can get certified as they progress their own digital skills.
It looks like another exciting year ahead as a Showcase College, with digital technologies enabling even more opportunities for inclusion and innovation.”
Weston College will be delivering free HGV training in partnership with West of England Combined Authority, to residents of Bristol, BANES and South Gloucestershire, starting this November.
With a limited number of spaces, participants will be given the opportunity to gain a Category C Licence, which will allow them to drive vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 32 tonnes.
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.
Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, Sir Paul Phillips, said: “Following a big demand for driver training, we’re delighted to offer this exciting opportunity to people living in the West of England.
“We will be running three different cohorts over the next couple of months, starting in November, with two other cohorts in early 2023 taking place in January and March.
“We know that many local organisations are facing a skills shortage, and this training will offer vital support for employers looking to recruit drivers.”
There are very limited spaces available, so if you are interested, register today to avoid missing out – you can register by clicking here.
Last week we welcomed Richard Gilbert from Halfords to our South West Skills Campus, to meet learners that are part of our Automotive Career Excellence Hub.
Richard delivered an engaging guest talk, and displayed a range of products available at Halfords.
Learners from across Automotive joined in, and they were also presented with a Halfords Trade Card, which allows them to purchase car parts, workshop tools, engine oils, and more, at a discounted price.
The Subject Area Manager for Automotive, Chris Priest, said: “It was great to welcome Richard in to talk to our students and we thank him and Halfords for their generosity in giving our learners trade cards.
“The learners were all really excited to receive their trade cards, and I know that this will be a great help for them as they start their journeys into the motor vehicle industry.”
Find out more about our Motor Vehicle courses, by clicking here.
