<p>The Education sector is one of the UK’s biggest industries. The demand for trained childcare workers is increasing and the need for teachers is growing. With over 32,000 schools in the UK and over 634,000 teaching roles, there are lots of exciting opportunities available for our learners. In a post pandemic world, employers want to recruit the best and with the industry demand increasing, we want to provide our learners with the platform to maximise their true potential!</p>

<p>With the launch of our new Education and Early Years Career Excellence Hubs, our learners will now be equipped with 21st Century employability skills and develop the skills they need to prepare them for the world of work. The Education and Early years Career Excellence Hub gives our learners the chance to build their hard skills like safeguarding and health and safety skills and soft skills like problem solving and communication.</p>

<p>Education and Early Years is an exciting and varied industry, with lots of different career paths to take. Some of which include, early years teacher, primary school teacher, secondary school teacher and education consultant. Our newly opened state of the art Education and Early Years hub at our Knightstone Campus have been developed in conjunction with the Career Excellence Hub endorsers: Busy Buddies, Little Bears, DaisyChain, Mendip Green, YMCA and Storal Learning, who ensure that not only that the course content includes insights from industry leaders, but also that the new facilities will be industry standard to give them real-life work experience. Having the Career Excellence Hub equips our learners with ‘real world learning’ to prepare them for their chosen career destination.</p>

<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our amazing Education Career Excellence Hub, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… ">click here</a>.</p>

<p>Today members of local council, ESFA, ETF, schools and nurseries, all joined Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College and the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor James Clayton, who together, officially opened the new Education and Early Years facilities at Weston College.</p>

<p>This new hub will meet the growing demand from employers both locally and regionally to train staff of the future, preparing them ready to join a growing industry.</p>

<p>The Education and Early Years facilities have been developed in conjunction with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a> employers: Busy Buddies, Little Bears, DaisyChain, Mendip Green, YMCA and Storal Learning, who ensure not only that the course content includes insights of industry leaders, but also that the new facilities will be industry standard to give them real-life experience.</p>

<p>The grand opening included a tour of the brand new £600k Education and Early Years hub that includes:</p>

<ul>
<li>Community Room – to allow us to host stay and play and other community sessions.</li>
<li>Child and Healthcare Room – a multi-functional space for food prep and mid-session naps.</li>
<li>Primary School Room – an engaging environment full of multi-curricular activities.</li>
<li>Creative and Exploratory Atelier – a non-traditional learning environment to host messy-play, science activities and more.</li>
<li>Observation room – includes one-way mirrors so learners do not influence a child’s play.</li>
</ul>

<p>Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty said: “The new hub is really impressive, I’m so pleased it’s come to fruition. It’s really important for us that all learners get real-life experience to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”</p>

<p>These new facilities are matched with an exciting portfolio of study programmes. For school leavers there will be full-time college-based courses, apprenticeships plus the new flagship T Level – the gold-standard in qualifications where learners can follow a college-based programme and gain sector experience through an industry placement. Plus, a range of options for adults for those who would like to upskill or re-train as an early years practitioner or teaching assistant.</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College added: “It was a privilege to officially open the new facilities today. This is just one element of a College-wide initiative to ensure we are making aspirational careers a reality for all our learners regardless of their starting point in life.”</p>

<p>The build is co-funded by T Level Capital funding, awarded by the Department for Education.</p>

<p>Find out more</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… for school leavers starting in September</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?… for adults starting in January</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">Next open event</a></li>
</ul>

<p>In September we launched the Education and Early Years <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a>, which focuses on future employability and developing the skills needed to have a successful career.</p>

<p>In Education and Early Years there has been an increasing emphasis of Forest Schools within the curriculum. It offers a unique educational experience using the outdoor environment as a classroom, which can increase a child's confidence and self-esteem through exploration, problem solving, and being encouraged to learn how to assess and take appropriate risks depending on their environment ... This motivation can have a positive impact on their attitude to future learning.</p>

<p>As we aim to develop the skills our learners need to be successful in the industry, we are creating a Forest School area at the South West Skills Campus.</p>

<p>Projects such as help to immerse our learners in the local community and grow their understanding of the local landscape and the impact of social action. We love seeing our learners developing their understanding on how to teach younger generations about the great outdoors and how to protect it. With each campus committed to becoming Net Zero by 2030, Weston College is creating brighter and greener future for our community.</p>

<p>This week our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Level</a> students have been helping, whilst developing their knowledge around risk assessments; outdoor learning; activities with children and how the outdoor learning environment can promote positive attitudes and learning dispositions. It has been a great way of putting theory into practice and building teamwork.</p>

<p><strong>Millicent said:</strong> <em>"Working outdoors has really helped everyone work as a team"</em>,<strong> Bethany added:</strong> <em>"It's interesting to see how some people are the planners whilst others are more hands on. It's nice how we all have our strengths, get along and work together."</em></p>

<p>As part of the #LoveOurColleges Week, we are pleased to share some photos for you to see what is going on.</p>

<p>Find out more:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds">Cour… for school leavers</a></li>
<li>What is a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Level</a>?</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">Next open event</a></li>
</ul>