News and events

On 24th May, Weston College hosted the Inclusion in Technology conference at the Winter Gardens.

The event was well attended, with learners, staff and local employers in attendance, to hear from two engaging speakers, highlighting the importance of inclusion of tech in regard to diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility within the industry.

The first guest speaker was founder of Structur3dpeople, Rav Bumbra, a tech recruitment specialist who pioneers diversity initiatives in the industry.

Rav delivered a fantastic talk, with a key element being that anything is possible in a technology driven world.

The second guest speaker was SEND Advanced Practitioner, and Mental Health Specialist, Georgie Ford, who looked at the inclusivity paradigm shift, and neurodiversity.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “At Weston College we are proud to be advocates for inclusion across all sectors, and this event was beneficial in taking a deeper look into the tech industry – especially for our learners, as it opened their eyes to new opportunities which was very exciting.

“Last year we created our Career Excellence Hubs, and a key theme of these is to boost opportunities for our learners through real world opportunities, as well as supporting local employers to access a talented, inclusive workforce.

“Working with key advocates such as Rav and Georgie, is critical in amplifying inclusion and gender diversity, within the tech industry and we look forward to hosting similar events for other industries in the coming months.”

You can see Weston College’s full event list, by clicking here.

Recently Weston College hosted an innovative and forward-thinking Learner Sustainability and Social Action Conference at the grand Winter Gardens ballroom. The event welcomed our Weston College and UCW learners, as well as local business partners, working to raise awareness and develop ideas surrounding sustainability. 

Principal Dr Paul opened the conference with powerful words outlining the Weston College approach to “Creating Greener Futures”, establishing how we will reach Net Zero through the implementation of our new Sustainability Framework. 

After Dr Paul’s inspiring address, the conference welcomed Peter Lefort from the University of Exter’s Green Futures Network. Peter gave a daunting yet moving presentation, discussing the future of Climate Change, and the action that must be taken towards achieving a “Greener Future”.  

He told the conference attendees “We often get caught up in the words Climate Change, but ‘change’ is the thing that we need to focus on and understand about the environment”. 

This was a pivotal moment in Peter’s presentation, demonstrating to the audience of Weston College and UCW learners that our fates are not sealed, and each and every one of them can implement and enact real change to make a difference and strive towards a “Greener Future”. 

This was further reiterated by our Weston College Head of Business Growth and Employer Partnership, Dave Crew, who outlined the current employability landscape and the growing demand for ‘Green Jobs’. 

Dave’s words powerfully cemented the sentiment that our learners are the future and the actions they take towards establishing and working in greener careers will be imperative to “Creating Green Futures”.  

Weston College is proud to be working to be part of the solution, encouraging our learners to engage in debate and thought-provoking discussion to develop thinking surrounding sustainability.  

Animal Management are delighted to introduce the newest addition to the team: baby Emu, Egbert. Egbert’s carers have been spending lots of quality time with the little chick, in the hopes that he would imprint on them.

This is something that Emus do in the wild in order to learn and identify with their caregivers, in Egbert’s case this is the wonderful Animal Management team.

The incredible staff and students have had great success, with Egbert following them around everywhere and becoming a popular and beloved member of the family.

Emus are native to Australia, and so the students have relished in the rare opportunity to engage in such hands-on experience working with the unique and interesting Egbert.

Our Level 3 Animal Management BTEC Extended Diploma is taught at Knightstone Campus, with practical work based at our Puxton Park facilities, offering students relevant and crucial industry experience.

This course provides learners with the opportunity to work with a wide range of animals while gaining detailed academic knowledge of animal science, behaviours and management.

Our brilliant tutors cover topics such as animal health, nutrition, welfare and breed development as well as supporting learners to interact with amazing animals like Egbert.

Our Animal department increases career-boosting benefits through the creation of the Animal Management Career Excellence Hub. 

These innovative subject specific hubs allow for students at Weston College to have access to exclusive opportunities such as this. 

Endorsed by employers from within the industry, this enables for better integration with the sector to make sure class content is relative and opens doors for learners, so they leave college with more than just a qualification.

If you want to start your career working with animals, click here to take a look at our courses in Animal Management!