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
A group of talented learners have achieved a national qualification for the prestigious WorldSkills Competition in the digital category. This remarkable accomplishment showcases the College's dedication to nurturing exceptional talent and preparing students for the dynamic and competitive digital landscape.
WorldSkills is the largest international skills competition, bringing together young professionals from around the world to showcase their expertise in various vocational fields. The digital category encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including web development, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and software engineering. Competitors are judged based on their technical skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and their capacity to deliver high-quality results under pressure.
Weston College's learners have demonstrated their exceptional aptitude and proficiency in the digital field. Their outstanding performance in rigorous competitions and assessments has qualified them to represent both the College and their country at the esteemed WorldSkills Competition, where they will compete against the best young talents from across the globe.
Jason Hill, the Subject Area Manager for Digital, expressed his immense pride in the learners' achievements, stating, "The qualification of our learners for the WorldSkills Competition in the digital category is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the exceptional guidance provided by our talented faculty. Weston College is committed to equipping our learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen careers, and this achievement is a validation of our educational approach."
Participation in the WorldSkills Competition presents learners with a unique opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international stage, gain valuable experience, and network with industry professionals and experts. It offers a platform for learners to enhance their skills, broaden their horizons, and raise awareness of the excellence fostered at Weston College.
The learners' success also reflects the College's commitment to staying at the forefront of digital education, ensuring that its curriculum aligns with industry demands and evolving technologies. By providing learners with access to state-of-the-art facilities, industry-standard tools, and expert guidance, Weston College empowers its students to thrive in the digital age and make meaningful contributions to the global workforce.
With Weston College's Annual Business Awards rapidly approaching, we’re excited to be bringing you another employer award nominees articles!
In this article we’ll be talking through our nominees for the Medium Employer of the Year award. Nominated are: Honeyfield Property Services, Rotamec, Thatchers Cider.
Good luck to all that have been nominated! Award winners will be announced on Thursday 15th June. Stay updated by following our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages or by following #WestonCollegeBusinessAwards2023.
As one of four national Centres for Excellence in SEND, a brand-new workshop, delivered by highly skilled and experienced neurodivergent employment specialists working at Weston College, achieved a significant milestone in neurodiversity training last week. Over 200 individuals have taken part in Neurodiversity for Business; a collaborative initiative between the faculty and Weston College’s Business Partnership Team. Aimed at supporting businesses to become more aware of neurodivergent individuals and advising on key knowledge and the skills required to recruit, retain, support and inspire neurodiverse staff and customers.
The initiative has already shown promising results. Three local businesses, Mendip Activity Centre, Puxton Park, and The Grand Pier have already implemented changes to become more neurodiversity friendly.
The impact for Puxton Park has already shown incredible results. The park, which attracts over 450,000 visitors every year, has made it their mission to ensure that new play equipment, infrastructure and daily operations are as inclusive and accessible as possible. Investments such as an accessible roundabout, which can be used by children of mixed abilities, as well as a state-of-the-art wheelchair accessible trampoline have already been made, alongside wide paved paths throughout the park for wheelchair access. One of the new additions to the park to support neurodiverse customers is an investment in Ear Defenders which can be rented out free of charge.
According to Lynsey McKinstry, Business Partnership Manager for the SEND provision, "The Faculty team and I are thrilled to have reached this milestone in our neurodiversity training initiative. Our goal is to make sure that every business understands and values individual need. This initiative is not just about ticking a box, but about creating a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive."
Mendip Activity Centre, known for its adventurous outdoor activities, welcoming individuals and groups of all ages and abilities, took part in dedicated training. The next step will be to bring some of the learners with SEND to work with the instructors. Attendees have also praised the initiative, highlighting its practicality and usefulness. One attendee remarked that, "Just by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes who is neurodivergent was hugely impactful and we don’t have the ability to understand unless we ask".
The initiative has received support from various companies, including Alliance Homes, Wessex Water, Thrings, North Somerset Council, GKN, and The Grand Pier.
Since attending the training, The Grand Pier has taken further measures to ensure the attraction is inclusive and accessible for all visitors; they are now providing tinted glasses and noise-reducing headphones to its visitors with sensory sensitivities to ensure they enjoy their time on the Pier comfortably. Additionally, a dedicated quiet room has been established to offer a calm space for those who may need a break from the liveliness. The Pier has also formed a partnership with AccessAble, a trusted and relatable website widely used across the UK.
