Careers and Employability for Learners at Weston College
Careers and Employability Team at Weston College
Our Careers and Employability Team work closely with learners to ensure they are provided with a quality, relevant and up to date service through the delivery of our careers programme which is detailed in our career's entitlement document here Weston College - Careers Entitlement 2023 (filedn.eu)
The Careers and Employability Coordinators are available to:
- Provide up to date information, advice and guidance on all options available to learners once they have completed their study programme whether that is going to Uni, applying for an apprenticeship, writing a CV or something else!
- Support learners with preparing for, sourcing and monitoring Industry Placements (more information below)
- Support learners to make effective and informed decisions so that they are ready for their next steps
If you would like to get in contact with a member of the team please email CET@weston.ac.uk
Applying to University
Our dedicated UCAS and HE Advisor works closely with faculties to support learners through the process of applying to higher education. To get in touch with the UCAS and HE Advisor please contact uni.help@weston.ac.uk
Industry Placements and Work Experience
As part of your study programme, you will undertake some form of Industry placement, work experience or work-related activity – this is depending on which course you study. The Careers and Employability Coordinator will help and support you find an industry placement that compliments your study programme, your tutor will support you to find work experience and any work-related activity.
If you are studying a T level learners are expected to complete a minimum of 315 hours work placement. This placement must be course relevant and aligned to your career aspirations. The Careers and Employability Team will support you through the process of securing a placement, from sourcing an employer to reflecting on the experience following the placement.
We have links with a wide range of employers, from across the region, with lots of opportunities available. Our team is committed to supporting you towards your future career goals and creating your brighter future.
Experience in the workplace allows you to develop the knowledge and skills relevant to your course and future career.
You will gain an understanding of what it is like to work in your chosen industry and enhance your CV to make sure you stand out from the crowd when you leave college.
How will you be supported?
We will:
- Help you to find a suitable placement from our employer network
- Prepare you for your placement
- Carry out health and safety checks to ensure the workplace is ready for you
- Encourage you to reflect on your experiences of the workplace through your online logbook
- Check in with you at regular intervals to ensure that everything is going to plan
If you are a learner, parent or employer and would like to get in touch please email us on CET@weston.ac.uk
If you’re an employer and would like to know more about hosting a learner on an Industry Placement contact us using CET@weston.ac.uk.
Brighter Future Hubs
The Brighter Futures Hub is a repository of essential life knowledge that extends beyond learners’ college years. It consists of a variety of online modules that learners can complete at their own pace.
Everything found in the Brighter Futures Hub will be all the information learners need to help them with their next steps. Whether they are continuing their education journey, entering the workforce, or planning a gap year, all the information they require can be found here to access independently, or within tutorial time.
FAQS
A work placement will give you the opportunity to gain skills specific to your subject or industry of choice as well as the employability skills required for real-life work. It will also increase your knowledge of an industry or sector, allowing you to make better informed decisions about future career choices.
If you aren’t able to find a placement yourself, then our Work Placement Team will be able to support you in securing a placement with a relevant business.
How will my placement work?
Once the placement is set up, the College contacts the business and completes a brief health and safety check with a short questionnaire by telephone or a visit.
When that is all sorted, you are introduced to the employers, dates are agreed and you become an employee for the allotted time. You will have several tasks and criteria to meet during the placement, including completing an online log book.
We will prepare you for your placement before you start, to ensure you have a good understanding of the expectations the employer has of you and what your responsibilities are.
You will receive specialist tutorials and employability sessions delivered the Careers and Employability team) to ensure that your placement journey is a successful one.
We will support you throughout the process, you ask us any questions or raise concerns relating to your work placement.
Whilst on placement, you will be assigned a supervisor who will ensure that you feel supported in the workplace. When you first start, you will be given an induction of your placement which will help you settle into the working environment.
Employers appreciate that you’re new to the business, and support you with any questions that you may have.
Working days vary, depending on the need of business. If you aren’t sure on what times you need to be in, double check with the employer.
This will differ depending on the study programme that you are on so please check with the Careers and Employability Coordinator linked to your faculty to find out.
This depends on your employer and will be covered in your induction.
Careers Advice and Support for Adults
If you are an Adult looking to improve your English and Maths, upskills or retrain in something new or would like to talk through your options at Weston College then check out this page for information about how to access support and our full range of courses. Courses for adults | Weston College
Alternatively, you can access impartial Careers Advice from our partners at the National Careers Service who can advise you on your next steps, use this online form to request a meeting either face to face at one of our campuses, online or by phone https://forms.office.com/e/cY4ZqFmkpa
The National Careers Service provide help, support and advice to adults nationwide, use their website to access to information on courses, careers and all of the options available to you Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service
Career-focused events
Weston College offers career-focused events to connect students with employers and explore opportunities. Networking, job fairs, workshops, and guest speakers empower students for successful futures. Take a look at our film to give you an example of our annual Careers Fest for our students.
