Gareth

When did you join Weston College?  

I joined Weston College in January 2022. Joining the college was a big step for me as I had been working as a warehouse operative for over 20 years.  

Why did you join Weston College? 

Having studied creative media while working, the pandemic made me realise that I needed to embrace every opportunity. I spotted the perfect role which matched my passion for videography and web/creative design and decided to apply. 

How do you spend your day?   

My work is hugely varied, I spend most of my time either filming around the college or editing footage to be used as part of the colleges digital learning service, I also support our Digital Learning Developers, testing new courses and resources to ensure they function correctly and give students a great learning experience. I spend some of my time helping deliver 'Digital Showcases', demonstrating some of the new ways we can engage learners with new technology such as 360 video, AR and VR learning experiences. Recently I've also started developing my own interactive courses, working with both departments in the college and local employers to develop bespoke resources.  

How has the College supported your career development?   

My manager and the college have created an environment where I can continue to develop. My manager has curated a programme of development training and we are also encouraged to develop through continued learning or expand our skills into new areas we are interested in. Since joining the college, I have been given the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and progress to a higher level in our department.   

What have you been involved in while working at Weston College?  

My role takes me across all areas of college and so I've been involved in several exciting projects. I've created 360 videos inside lorries, filmed at the top of cranes and inside pieces of art. I played a small role in our successful Beacons award submissions, creating content to promote the work undertaken by the college. I support with the colleges digital cognition programme where I help tutors create new interactive learning resources.       

What’s the best thing about working at Weston College? 

Working for Weston college feels like being part of a family, we are encouraged to grow and supported when things might not go as planned. It was a big culture change coming from working in a warehouse to working in an office environment, but it's been fantastic. The amount of work the college does not only for its students but also the local community makes me proud to be part of Weston college.