News and events

Weston College toasted the outstanding success of learners and employer partners for the first time in three years, at the Business Awards on Thursday (June 30).

Winners from a range of categories were presented with awards at the Oscars-style event at the Winter Gardens.

Guests – including students, employers and local dignitaries – enjoyed a three-course dinner and heard an inspirational keynote talk from former international rugby referee, Nigel Owens MBE, who over a long and distinguished career, has refereed in the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup.

Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, Sir Paul Phillips, who hosted the awards, said: “This year we received a record number of nominations and, while this made judging an unenviable task, it highlights the wealth of talent among our learners and the level of dedication and expertise within our employer network.   

“It was fantastic to celebrate the many successes of our work-based learners, who show outstanding commitment to their programmes. They are truly a credit to the College and their employers.   

“Working with key employers is key to us in supporting the region to level up, and it was a pleasure to recognise so many brilliant businesses.   

“I would like to say congratulations to all of our winners, who we are delighted to work closely with.”

There were winners from a range of levels, with trainees being recognised, along with industry professionals who have upskilled via apprenticeships.

Degree apprentice, Jack Kitsell, was named as the Overall Learner of the Year and Engineering Apprentice of the Year, for his selflessness, exceptional work, and willingness to take on additional roles outside of work to continually improve and develop his skills.

Jack said: “This is the culmination of 5 years of study and work for me. It's a really good opportunity to have that moment to reflect and celebrate those who have helped me through this journey.

"Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get your foot into industry, whilst maintaining that academic side that is essential to the job profiles that people are for looking for in the long-run. The opportunities that have been afforded to me as an apprentice are simply things that I would not have had as a regular university student. I've been able to do, see and achieve things that would not have been an option otherwise."

Employers from across the region were also recognised, for the important role they play in developing future talent. Abatec Recruitment won Medium Employer of the Year, for their commitment to Weston College’s new Career Excellence Hubs, and the opportunities they provide for learners.

Robert Dyer, Business Development Director at Abatec Recruitment, said: “Working with Weston College is a privilege, the collaboration, ideas, and delivery of engaging young adults is so important, and I'm delighted Abatec Recruitment contributes to some of the amazing initiatives that Weston College runs, ultimately, giving young adults opportunities.”

It was an evening to remember for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, who were named Overall Employer of the Year. The award recognised their dedication to apprenticeships, with over 140 Weston College apprentices, across a wide level range, in a number of different departments across University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. 

Business Award winners list:

Learners

• Accelerate Participant of the Year – Bethan
• Business and Finance Apprentice of the Year - Ryan
• Construction Apprentice of the Year - Connie
• Digital Apprentice of the Year - George 
• Early Years and Teaching Assistant of the Year - Karen
• Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year - Jack
• Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year - Ella
• Health and Social Care Apprentice of the Year - Keely
• Hospitality and Catering Apprentice of the Year - Samuel
• Industry Placement Learner of the Year - Brandon
• Into Work Student of the Year – Shauna
• Leadership and Management Apprentice of the Year - Andrew
• Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year - Luke
• Pre-Employment Learner of the Year - Liam
• Professional Services Apprentice of the Year - Charlie
• Sport and Community Apprentice of the Year - Georgia
• Traineeship Learner of the Year - Lillie

Employers

• Small Employer of the Year - Busy Buddies
• Medium Employer of the Year - Abatec Recruitment
• Large Employer of the Year - MBDA
• Career Excellence Hub Employer of the Year - Thatchers Cider
• Disability Confident Employer of the Year - Café At The Pavilion
• Industry Placement Employer of the Year - Sense IT
• New Apprentice Employer of the Year – Rotamec Engineering Solutions
• Pre-Employment Employer of the Year – Apache Construction
• Traineeship Employer of the Year - Burnham Plastering and Drylining
• Work Experience Employer of the Year - Gold Dust Training

Overall Learner of the Year - Jack

Overall Employer of the Year – University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO ALBUM

Students with Autism studying with Weston College’s residential training facility "Weston Bay" have just completed the annual Community Project.

They organised an enterprise project to fundraise the budget needed to renovate and re-decorate Mead Vale Community Hall.

Two weeks were then spent onsite, painting, gardening, upcycling planters using old tyres and improving a well-used site within our local community. All students showed great determination, selflessness and community spirit, putting into practice all of the teamwork, independence and social skills they have learned throughout the year.

Weston College is one of three Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). As a Centre of Excellence, the College will become a national leader in SEND learning. Weston Bay is a residential training centre for students on the autism spectrum, specialising in providing support to aid learners with independent living, employability and accessing the community.

Mead Vale Community Hall is a hub for local residents to come together for various clubs and activities, from Scout meetings and dance practice to Yoga and craft classes. A well-loved staple of the community, the hall was simply in need of some TLC, and that’s where our learners came in.

We caught up with learner, Chloe Turnbull-Yeo, who gave an expert and confidently delivered speech at the opening event.

Chloe told us that, in order to start working on the hall in May, the students involved took part in various fundraising activities. She went on to explain how they all went about the huge task of beginning the restoration project, telling us that, together they truly developed their teamwork skills. 

The opening itself consisted of a grand tour, a buffet of food made by learners and, very excitingly, a visit from The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Sonia Russé to cut the ribbon and officiate the occasion.

Just before cutting the ribbon, The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Sonia Russé had this to say: “It’s a real privilege for me to be here and open this facility, which is so needed. The work that has been done here is phenomenal. There is no ceiling to what any of you can achieve”.

Heidi, Lead Practitioner at Weston Bay from the faculty in Inclusive Practice, went on to say “the tenacity, problem-solving and teamwork has been absolutely incredible.”

Well done to all of the hard-working students for making the project such a great success.

To find out more about Weston Bay, click here.

To find out what’s on and follow Mead Vale Community Hall on Facebook, click here.

When welcoming learners on work experience into Touch of Beauty, we expect someone with a driven and motivated mindset, who is keen to learn on the job.

Our learner who came to experience a hands-on approach to learning Beauty Therapy was Faye. She exuded herself with outstanding confidence when working and engaging with clients due to her natural ability to chat to anyone.

When being taught different treatments that were offered at the salon, she got stuck in, regularly asking questions and determined to watch how to correctly carry out the procedure to improve to become a better beauty technician. She had completed a few pedicures and gel polish removals for clients, and learnt the do’s and don’ts of more technical processes such as eyelash extensions and eyebrow lamination.

As well as work experience benefiting Faye through her learning crucial skills, her being there also was a huge help to us. She would go above and beyond to help everyone in there, both staff and clients, and would clean up behind us before we could even ask her!

From the experience and skills she gained while working with us, we could see Faye was focused on succeeding in the beauty industry, and we are confident she is going to achieve this goal.

Faye was a fantastic compliment to the salon, and lived up to our excellent reputation, we really don’t want her to leave!

We would highly recommend taking on work experience learners from the college, as they are keen to learn, and will give you the helping hand you need; it benefits you as much as it benefits them! It gives the learners a huge amount of experience to continue on developing skills to secure a full time job in the industry.

Eleanor Kirby, Touch of Beauty

Find out about work experiences opportunities we offer and how to apply, here!