<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">We caught up with Lily a former learner who studied Media Production and is now working at Aardman Animations!</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>Who are you and what is your current job role?</strong></p><p><em>My name is Lily, and I current work as an Assistant Animator at </em><a href="https://www.aardman.com/"><em>Aardman Animations.</em></a><em> My job role includes testing and animating sequences, creating and preparing puppets and mouth sets.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Can you share a bit about your journey from Weston College to where you are today?</strong></p><p><em>I did my </em><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… in Media Production</em></a><em> in 2011 at Weston college, as one of the modules focused on Stop Motion Animation which I had an interest in. I then stayed at Weston College to do the </em><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… Foundation Course in Art &amp; Design</em></a><em> so I could continue making stop-motion films and developing my skills. After that course finished, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do next as I felt a bit burnt out, so took a 5-year gap out of education. When I felt I was ready and my heart was back in it, I went to University of the West of England to study Animation. In my third year, I got work experience at Aardman Animations and have continued working in the industry following my graduation. Some recent projects include </em><a href="https://www.aardman.com/film-tv-games/wallace-gromit/"><em>Wallace &amp; Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl</em></a><em> and series 2 &amp; 3 of </em><a href="https://www.aardman.com/film-tv-games/the-very-small-creatures/"><em>The Very Small Creatures</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Many young people feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out early on. Looking back, how did your own career path evolve over time?</strong></p><p><em>I definitely felt a lot of pressure in that area, I knew I wanted to work in the creative industry but I started to feel a bit burnt out from education, so decided to take a break and gain real-world experience. I've worked in hospitality, I've worked in an office, I've picked up event jobs, fancy dress costume work on occasion, just a range of things that let me live and have fun without the pressure of having everything mapped out. It wasn't until I applied for another office job that I realised I didn't want to do that type of work anymore; it stopped bringing me joy, and I wanted to pursue working in the creative industry again. It felt like the right time to get back into it and pursue it for my own reasons.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Were there any pivotal moments or unexpected opportunities that shaped your career in ways you didn’t anticipate?</strong></p><p><em>I think a big moment for my career path was when I realised, I didn't want to work in an office anymore. Although the job was for a creative company, I realised I missed being the one who created and crafted things. When I had that realisation and turned down that job, I knew I'd made the right decision and started looking into universities that did Animation courses. During my 3rd year when I was offered work experience on </em><a href="https://www.aardman.com/film-tv-games/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget/">… Run 2</em></a><em> with Aardman, it was my first time being in a proper working studio, and it completely blew my mind. The scale, the creativity, it suddenly clicked in me that this was somewhere I really wanted to be and a career I wanted to pursue.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>How important has adaptability been in your career? Are there any specific examples you’d like to share?</strong></p><p><em>Adaptability really is important. In my current job role as an assistant animator, I have to adapt to whatever is required of me on each project. That could be sculpting, animating, rigging or prop making, it all varies. My very first paid job in the industry, I had no experience in a studio or workshop environment, and was asked to do a lot of things I'd never done before. I just tried to be calm, listen and ask for advice if I wasn't sure. It took a while to build my confidence but eventually I started to trust my abilities more and wasn't as scared to ask people for help if I was unsure or had messed something up.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>The industry is also unpredictable. Even though I'm in my dream job, I sometimes have to jump back into office or hospitality roles. Because animation/film jobs are mainly contract or freelance, there have been times where I've not had constant work so I have to pick-up part-time jobs to fill the gaps. People who've been in the industry for 20+ years and are skilled experienced animators still often have to do this too, so always be prepared to adapt when you need to.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;<strong>What advice would you give to students who feel uncertain about their future career path?</strong></p><p><em>Listen to yourself. If something doesn't feel quite right or you don't feel that you're ready, don't force it. Taking a step back or a little bit of time out isn't a bad thing, it helps give you some breathing space to really look at what it is you want to do, and what's going to make you happy. You'll know when you're ready, so don't force it.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>In a world where industries and job roles are constantly evolving, how can young professionals stay open to new opportunities and remain agile in their careers?</strong></p><p><em>Try not to pigeonhole yourself into one thing. When I applied for Aardman as a trainee assistant animator, they wanted to see evidence that I could animated, but also examples of sculpting and crafting too. I love being creative in a variety of ways so I had plenty to show them and the feedback was very positive. If you stick to just one specific thing, you're missing out on the chance to learn so much more that could actually benefit your area of interest. Talk to people, ask questions, show an interest and people will often respond in kind. It also helps broaden your job opportunities if you've got a varied skillset. It's a tough industry, so give yourself the best chance of standing out.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?</strong></p><p><em>I'd say to my younger self, stop worrying about what you think you 'should' be doing or what other people think you 'should' be doing, and trust your instincts. I'm glad I chose to take that gap in education. I gained a lot of useful life skills, had a lot of fun, made some brilliant friends and learned a lot about myself. I also regained my love for animation so I could pursue it on my own terms when I was ready. I was doing it just for me, no one else.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Is there anything else you’d like to add?</strong></p><p><em>I'm grateful to my tutors at Weston College for helping me to pursue my love of stop-motion animation. They let me make an absolute mess of the studios to make my films, gave me advice on workshops and courses to look into and helped me when I was ready to finally apply for university. I never really thought I'd actually end up working in the industry, and although I went the long way about it, I'm so glad that I did it that way.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>A big thank you to Lily for sharing her journey with us!</strong></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_… you would like to study at Weston College, you can find out more about our courses, by clicking here.</a></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px 0px 1em;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;width:1194.25px;word-spacing:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;width:1194.25px;word-spacing:0px;">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hi I’m Danny, and I completed the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/making-it-work… Ready You</strong></a> programme at Weston College, which helped me to gain 3 qualifications including an <strong>E2 Certificate in Preparation for Employment</strong>, an <strong>E3 Award in Preparation of Work</strong>, and a <strong>L1 Award in Employability Skills.</strong> This course has also helped me to progress into my current job role at Weston College, which I will discuss below!</p><p>I chose to enrol on a pre-employment course at Weston College because I had been out of work for a long time and felt I needed to rebuild my confidence and improve my chances for employment. The pre-employment course looked like a good way to help me get back into work and find some direction.</p><p>The course introduced us to various types of jobs and workplaces. We learned how to tailor our CVs for different roles, which was very useful. We also had lessons on communication skills, including giving PowerPoint presentations, working in groups, and participating in smaller team activities.</p><p>In the final week, we gained practical experience through a work placement, with some students visiting places like <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/making-it-work…; and <a href="https://www.puxton.co.uk/">Puxton Park.</a> The course lasted five weeks in total, and there were four weeks of classroom learning followed by one week of work experience.</p><p>Throughout the course, I improved my confidence, communication skills and how to work effectively in a team. These skills have been valuable in both my job search and everyday life.</p><p>Right from the start, I had support from a keyworker from the <a href="https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/2024/03/21/moving-up/">Moving Up</a> team. They were available by phone or email whenever I needed help, and they continued to support me even after the course ended. Most importantly, my tutor Juliette Weaver provided exceptional guidance. She was kind, energetic, and always made sure we all felt included while offering useful resources for learning.</p><p>Shortly after completing the course, I was offered a job at Weston College as a Learning Support Assistant through Forward Futures. The transition was smoother than I expected. Juliette believed in my abilities and recommended me for the job, which made a big difference. When I started working, I found that everyone was very welcoming, and it quickly felt like a supportive team environment.</p><p>A very proud moment for me was to be recognised at the Celebration of Success awards at Weston College. It felt encouraging to see all the hard work of both learners and staff celebrated, and winning the <strong>‘Pre-Employment Student of the Year’</strong> award was a real boost to my confidence.</p><p>I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone at Weston College for giving me this opportunity. The course has made a significant difference in my life. I am especially grateful to Juliette Weaver, who helped me to see my potential when I could not see it myself. Without her support and guidance, I might still be struggling to find work.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, 2nd April, Weston College took over the<strong> Job Centre </strong>in Weston-super-Mare, for a day dedicated to supporting adults in their journey towards <strong>new training</strong> and <strong>employment opportunities.</strong></p><p>The event was designed to showcase the extensive range of courses and support available to job seekers, helping them gain new skills and qualifications to improve their career prospects.</p><p>The event was well attended, with <strong>over 150 job seekers,</strong> as well as visitors including<strong> Jane Murch, Chief of Staff</strong> for Weston-super-Mare’s M<strong>P Dan Aldridge, Mayor John Crockford-Hawley, </strong>and Weston College’s <strong>Principal and Chief Executive, Pat Jones.</strong></p><p>Their presence highlighted the importance of <strong>collaborative efforts</strong> between <strong>educational institutions, local government,</strong> and <strong>employment services </strong>in <strong>tackling skills gaps</strong> and <strong>unemployment.</strong></p><p>The College’s team set up engaging stations filled with information about <strong>courses, training opportunities, </strong>and <strong>career support.</strong></p><p>Attendees had the chance to speak directly with<strong> advisors,</strong> <strong>discuss</strong> their <strong>aspirations,</strong> and even <strong>register</strong> their interest in courses tailored to their needs. There was even the opportunity to get their hair cut, by the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Barbering</a> team from Weston College.</p><p>Mike Hudson, Director of Student Recruitment and Customer Operations at Weston College, said: <em><strong>“It was great to host our third Weston College Takeover Day at Weston Job Centre, and to see so many people wanting to engage with education.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>“This event reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering individuals through education. We are proud to support adult learners in accessing the training they need to take their next career step.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>“A big thank you to the Department for Work and Pensions and the incredible staff at Weston Job Centre and Weston College who went above and beyond to make this event so impactful, our continued partnership is supporting with creating brighter futures for all.”</strong></em></p>