News and events

South West Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, Weston College is proud to announce its latest campaign, which sets out to support employers across the region with recruiting, retaining, and retraining staff.

The College, which is well known for its ambitious apprenticeship campaigns, and for achieving results well beyond national averages, is aiming even higher than ever before, setting themselves three, 30-day challenges:

• Challenge 1 – September: 500 apprenticeship pledges in 30 days
• Challenge 2 – October: 150 adults upskilled in 30 days
• Challenge 3 – November: 150 T Level placement pledges in 30 days

Weston College values its employer partnerships and supports over 2000 employers each year and together they drive the apprenticeship, upskill, and T Level agenda in the region.

Throughout the campaign, the College will be celebrating success stories, as well as updates on the progress of the campaign, highlighting the employers who are taking on apprentices, T Level learners, and/or upskilling their existing staff.

Jacqui Ford, Interim Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “We are passionate about creating brighter futures, and are really excited to be launching this campaign, which will support employers of all sizes across the region.

“One of the most valuable things you can do for your business is investing in your current workforce through upskilling or bringing a new generation of employees through from hiring an apprentice or taking on an industry placement student. Our employer network and our learners have benefited hugely from apprenticeships and industry placements, and we are excited to help even more people improve their lives through this campaign.

“At Weston College, we have an offer to suit all employers, and we look forward to working closely with our current business partners as well as building new partnerships throughout this campaign to positively impact our region.”

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth and Employer Partnerships, said: “Our mantra is careers, not courses, here at Weston College, meaning we recognise the importance of employer partnerships, students gaining experience in industry and businesses getting the skills training that they need. Therefore, our aim is to make it as easy as possible for employers looking to recruit, retrain, or retain their workforce!

“We cannot wait to get started – reach out today to pledge!”

Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal - Apprenticeships & Traineeships Recruitment, said: “Our statistics really speak for themselves when it comes to the success of our apprentices; with 90% of apprentices being offered permanent roles on completion, 97% employer satisfaction and success rate of 15% above the national benchmark, we are really looking forward to the challenge of 500 pledges in just 30 days!”

Weston College will be sharing regular updates on the campaign, both in terms of numbers and impact – keep an eye on their social media and website to stay up to date with each challenge.

Head over to our 30-Day Challenge page, to find out more and to get involved!

In an era where virtual arenas are as fiercely competitive as traditional sports fields, esports has risen to become a globally recognized and respected industry. Among those looking to succeed in the area is Level 3 BTEC Esports learner Ciaran, who is ready to take the next steps towards his future career. But this isn't just any step – it's a leap across the Atlantic Ocean to join Northwood University's esports team in the USA.

The journey began with a spark of curiosity that blossomed into a well-orchestrated plan. Studying abroad had always been on the radar, but it wasn't until a past esports team manager suggested it that the idea gained serious traction. With Overwatch boasting an official collegiate circuit in the USA, opportunities to transition into pro leagues from universities abound, unlike the UK's esports landscape. These American institutions also offer scholarships to talented players, setting the stage for both academic and esports advancement.

Ciaran had honed his Overwatch skills for over five years, and his aspirations extended beyond gameplay alone. A desire to work in collegiate esports in the UK fuelled his ambitions, and a transatlantic education seemed tailor-made. However, the decision wasn't made lightly. The selection process was methodical, involving careful filtering of potential universities based on factors like esports courses, strong teams, and scholarship opportunities.

Directly reaching out to coaches, esports directors, and managers of collegiate Overwatch teams was the next strategic step. Each university had its own scouting process, which often entailed showcasing gameplay through VODs (videos of gameplay), revealing ranks, and detailing path-to-pro experiences. The standout choice was Northwood University, renowned for its robust esports program and a victorious collegiate circuit run. Surprisingly, before he even sent a comprehensive application, Northwood had already scouted this aspiring esports pro.

The news of selection came from none other than Cody Elsen, the Director of Esports at Northwood. Ciaran's prowess had caught the eye of this prestigious institution, underlining their talent and potential. Now came the momentous decision of accepting the offer. While the prospect of moving abroad alone was daunting, the scale seemed to tip overwhelmingly in favour of acceptance. The allure of enhancing their CV, gaining valuable experience in the US collegiate esports system, and playing alongside esports heroes became irresistible.

Fast forward to the present day, and preparations are well underway. Flights are booked, residence secured, and essential arrangements like healthcare and banking are being sorted. The anticipation is palpable, fuelled by the excitement of experiencing American life, excelling in a future career, and elevating esports prowess.

However, the journey isn't without its apprehensions. Battling anxiety and social anxiety in the past, Ciaran acknowledges the challenges of acclimating to a new environment and starting afresh. Having previously experienced living away from home for his studies, this transition is an entirely different ballgame. But with resilience honed over the years, Ciaran is ready to tackle these new challenges head-on.

Ciaran concluded by saying: “I'd like to thank my parents their financial and social support. My mother has helped me through the whole application process immensely (the recent decision to study abroad has made this quite the rush). She is all things esports. She might actually watch more esports in her own time than I can. My father has kept me grounded and realistic. I'm lucky to have to both of them as my parents. I'd also like to mention that my lecturers at Weston, Cam Lyes and Will Price, were excellent all throughout my time there. We said goodbye to Cam at the end of this year, I wish him the best in Bristol. Will is staying at Weston College this year. People planning to study esports at Weston are in good hands.”

We wish Ciaran the very best of luck with his future!