News and events

According to the National Cyber Security Centre, with cyber security information overload, many organisations find it difficult to explain the technical aspects of cyber security in ways that are relevant to their staff. With this in mind Weston College have developed a unique blended Cyber Security CPD course, which is being rolled out to their staff, as part of its significant investment and commitment to train all of its key staff in cyber security awareness.

The model developed in partnership with its digital experts as a Microsoft Showcase College and its IT experts as members of the BCS Chartered Institute of IT and CISCO Networking Academy combines online knowledge with the chance to separate fact from fiction, using interactive demonstrations and Q&A’s with a cyber security expert to offer a ‘real world’ learning experience.

The event which was held in the prestigious Winter Gardens was led by one of the College’s tutors, who is a leading UK cyber specialist with a proven track record of effective cyber security training, coupled with extensive experience of working with Avon and Somerset Police.

The session was not only designed to engage staff to gain a better understanding of cyber security at work and how to minimise risk, it also was designed to show the impact of cyber security at home and even included a simulated ‘live hack’, to show staff how easy it is for cyber criminals to access personal and sensitive information and how they exploit it.

Mark Barnett the Dean of Faculty for Digital said “The course was underpinned by a recognised qualification and digital badge to recognise the collective achievement made. With over 200 staff trained to date - this was by no means a passive event and attendees have openly praised its approach to provide the simple tools and techniques needed to improve cyber safety in the workplace and at home. The style of training definitely brought the message home with 100% stating that it had significantly raised their understanding of cyber security, through the real world learning of a ‘simulated hack’ before their very eyes, and the opportunity for in depth discussion with such a high qualified cyber security professional. Attendees also had access to the College’s convenient and easy to use online platform to provide key information and assess the knowledge gained”.

The Principal Sir Paul Phillips said “the event was a unique approach designed to change behaviours and attitudes and to make ‘cyber security everyone’s business’. The bespoke training has provided confidence and clarity, and is one of a number of measures that the College has put in place to reduce our organisational risk, which includes enhanced system protection, clear processes and visible campaigns regarding key messages. All of this is helping to ensure that there is a ‘collective culture of cyber security responsibility’ to protect students, staff and their families from the threats we face online and within the workplace.”

The CPD programme has been a fantastic success and already the College has received a number of enquiries from businesses in the region who are looking for a more effective and engaging course, with the College soon to deliver training for the NHS in a similar bespoke way. Employers who are interested can email employers@weston.ac.uk for more information. For those who are interested in digital studies, the College also has its own University Centre University Centre Weston as well as being the lead for the West of England Institute of Technology and offers significant digital provision in cyber security, data analytics, computing, web design, software development and digital and technology solutions, across many different levels including apprenticeships and degrees. See more by clicking the links below.

• Computing and Digital Technologies courses for school leavers
• Part-time Digital and High Tech courses for adults
• Degree Level courses and apprenticeships with UCW

From September 2022, Weston College are welcoming school leavers to study the brand-new Business T Level programme. T Levels offer a mixture of both college and work-based learning which has been designed to give learners the technical skills and workplace experience to kick-start their career. The new programmes are developed in collaboration with employers and providers so that the content meets the needs of the industry. 

The two year Business T Level course is the equivalent to three A Levels, and will provide students with an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to the sector, including; an overview of organisational cultures and values, stakeholders, governance and the impact of organisations on society and the environment; project and change management; business behaviours including communication; quality improvement and compliance in all aspects of public and private sector organisations. 

Those joining the college in September will get to experience the brand-new facilities including an industry standard business boardroom with the latest technology and a brand-new workspace.  

Employers across the country are recognising how important T Levels are going to be, especially in their plans for developing their future work force. NatWest Bank has pledged their support of the new Business T Level course at Weston College by shaping the curriculum, providing business skills training to students, and highlighting the benefits of employers hosting industry work placements through their regional employer network.    

NatWest’s support of the Weston College T Level course is aligned to their mission to be a purpose-led bank and champion the potential of people, families, and businesses across the UK, focusing on the areas which can have the biggest positive impacts across society. 

Elly Rowley, NatWest Regional Ecosystem Manager for the South-West said; “Through partnerships and resources, we are committed to supporting the business success stories of the future and are pleased to be working with Weston College on the introduction of their new Business T Level course.” 

 “We look forward to meeting and inspiring these future business leaders and being part of the curriculum through this exciting T Level partnership, which Weston College have been working closely with employers and industry on." 

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth & Employer Partnerships at Weston College said; “T Levels are the future of college-based technical education, and we’re committed to developing our curriculum with employers to create a work-ready pipeline of talent for our region. NatWest are a key partner for the College, and we’re delighted to be working together to create a challenging and engaging programme of skills training for our Business T Level course, as we create the business leaders of the future.” 

• Find out more about T Levels here.  

• Learn more and apply now for the Business, Management and Leadership T Level. 

• Learn more and apply now for the Accounting T Level. 

The Faculty of Inclusive Practice and the Careers Team at Weston College have created a “Jobs Club” for learners with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This innovative venture supports learners, helping them to get ‘Into Work’ with practical preparation for job placements and future career path planning. The aim of this club was to also build the learners confidence; using a range of resources to help them recognise their skills, personalities, and interests, and how to highlight these to potential employers and relate them to jobs they would be suited for.

The group of 12 students benefitted from 7 sessions which included uplifting group discussions about self-evaluation and how to apply their skills and personality traits to the working world. Interactive quizzes proved to be an amazingly effective way to engage the learners and give them an insight into what different jobs entail and what employers are looking for.

On completion of the career boosting club, each learner received a certificate, which was presented by College Careers Advisor Sally Bebb and Weston College Group Principal and Chief Executive Sir Paul Phillips KBE, to celebrate the skills developed over the sessions.

Sir Paul Phillips added: “Here at Weston College, we continue to champion the phrase ‘Careers, not courses’. Whatever their level, age, background or circumstance, all learners who study with us here progress with the tools to succeed in the workplace. I’m extremely proud of our Inclusive Practice department and initiatives such as this further support why we are recognised nationally as a SEND Centre of Excellence.”

There was a wide range of skills that were improved over the sessions, the main skill being the ability for the learners to describe their attributes and how they used them effectively in given examples. This helped the members of the club to build their confidence when talking about themselves and what qualities they could bring to the workplace.

The building of these skills was very beneficial, as the learners from Jobs Club are progressing onto many future paths: 3 learners have secured Apprenticeships with their employers, 3 learners will be completing traineeships with the police, and five learners have stepped into the workplace, in sustainable paid employment, within the sectors of warehouse, retail, horticulture and lunch time supervisors.

Sally Bebb, from the careers team, said: “We would definitely love to run the Jobs Club again as it was so beneficial to the learners, and has been a hugely enjoyable experience with a great cohort. We all loved seeing how each of the learners have built their confidence when discussing their future career prospects.”

Congratulations to all of the learners on their fantastic achievements!