<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College is proud to announce the launch of its <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; Foundation Apprenticeship</strong>, starting in October 2026, designed to support both local businesses and young people to thrive in the sector.&nbsp;</p><p>The programme offers a unique opportunity for employers to build their future workforce early, while supporting young people in gaining meaningful experiences and confidence in a real working environment.&nbsp;</p><p>Foundation Apprenticeships are employed roles with structured support, combining practical, on-the-job experience with one day per week of college-based learning.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Benefits to Hospitality Businesses</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>With the busy autumn and Christmas trading period approaching, Weston College is calling on hospitality businesses to take advantage of this time to train and develop new talent during peak operational periods, as well as identify&nbsp;high-potential individuals ahead of future recruitment cycles&nbsp;and build a sustainable pipeline of skilled staff ready for Summer 2027.</p><p>Employers will&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from supporting apprentices to develop essential skills including:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e8beea55d40371f3d99417019e729088a">Customer service and communication&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e0534fbde778c946a2a953e6a1cc76602">Food preparation and service&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e4e414303a4bc5f3a9ccb3bb15d882612">Teamwork and workplace behaviours&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e8131741a90711cc3138a87bae0ed6714">Stock management and food safety&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e3f00742ce9d115ee65d9546419f55221">Health and safety awareness&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Supporting Young People into the Industry</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>The Foundation Apprenticeship is specifically designed for young people who&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e02f73240518f88c5430e00befe383f91">A broader introduction to the workplace&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e5a0768f1c0adbfbfd27c09642dfd024a">Additional&nbsp;support and structured development&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e3d2c64db4af2f82223f22d9c79950f5f">Clear progression routes into employment or further apprenticeships&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e9b968386a3b5cb28601f9d3f515c969c">This approach helps learners build confidence, capability, and career direction, while enabling employers to shape talent from an early stage.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Funding and Progression Opportunities</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Employers may be eligible for up to £2,000 per apprentice to support participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>At the end of the programme, apprentices can progress into&nbsp;a&nbsp;Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship&nbsp;and sustained employment within the business.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Get Involved</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Weston College is now seeking hospitality employers across the region who are keen to:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e64f2825f0b9c220748a127225704f2c1">Invest in future talent&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="eee514a6caf7c8e878a78c60b2c35c603">Support young people into the industry&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e2e5490170f752837c9ace9bc33289e3b">Strengthen their workforce ahead of Summer 2027&nbsp;</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Now is the ideal time to recruit, train, and shape your future team.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For more information or to get involved, please contact:</strong> <strong>01934 411594&nbsp;or email&nbsp;</strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="mailto:apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk"><strong>apprenticeships@weston.ac…;

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> students welcomed members of the Catering Services Branch from the <strong>Royal Navy</strong>, who delivered an engaging presentation about careers within the service, the opportunities available, and the benefits of working as part of their team. The visit concluded with an exciting <em>Ready, Steady, Cook</em>–style challenge where students tested their culinary skills in groups.&nbsp;</p><p>The <strong>Royal Navy</strong> is the United Kingdom’s naval warfare force, responsible for protecting the nation’s seas, supporting global security, and providing humanitarian aid. Operating ships, submarines, aircraft and elite units, the organisation offers a wide range of career specialisms. Alongside these roles, it provides apprenticeships, technical training and leadership pathways both at sea and on shore.&nbsp;</p><p>During the session, the visiting team shared their own career journeys into the Royal Navy, explaining how they began as apprentices before progressing into full-time roles within the catering branch. They spoke about their experiences and the unique opportunities they have had so far in their careers, including catering for high-profile individuals and travelling as part of their work.&nbsp;</p><p>The team also outlined the application process and the health and fitness requirements needed to join the Royal Navy. They reassured students that the process is far less daunting than many people assume, helping to broaden students’ perspectives and boost their confidence in their own eligibility, ability and talent.&nbsp;</p><p>A career in the Royal Navy offers a wide range of personal and professional benefits. These include a competitive salary, strong support and pension schemes, travel opportunities, access to a variety of sports teams, and a range of discounts across shops, events and leisure activities.&nbsp;</p><p>Following the presentation, the team launched the Ready, Steady, Cook challenge. Students were given recipes and ingredients provided by the Royal Navy to create a fishcake with poached egg for the main course and cookies for dessert. They were encouraged to be creative with both the ingredients and seasonings, as well as the presentation of their dishes. The finished plates were then judged by the Royal Navy team on taste, creativity and presentation to determine the winning group.&nbsp;</p><p>The judges were highly impressed with the dishes produced, praising the students for their professionalism and strong teamwork throughout the challenge. They also highlighted the impressive flavours and the unique approaches each group took when preparing and presenting their meals.&nbsp;</p><p>The workshop provided an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside industry professionals and test their skills by preparing new dishes under time pressure. Experiences like this help students develop their techniques, confidence and adaptability while encouraging them to think creatively with the ingredients available.&nbsp;</p><p>Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, "It was great to have members from the Royal Navy come in and engage with our students, sharing their wide knowledge base and experiences as chefs within the Armed Forces. It's visits like this that help students gain a better understanding of the wide range of career opportunities within the catering industry beyond the traditional kitchen environment. It highlights alternative career pathways that many students may not have previously considered, raising a broader awareness of the opportunities for chefs."</p><p>A huge thank you to the Royal Navy Catering team for taking the time to visit our students, share their career journeys, and deliver such an engaging and hands-on workshop.&nbsp;</p><p>This workshop forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</u></a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> students delivered an immersive 1920s-themed murder mystery dinner, combining a three-course meal with live performances throughout the evening. The event was a fantastic cross-college collaboration: our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… 3 Hair and Makeup</u></a> students styled the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</u></a> students, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/graphic-design-ba-hons/"><u>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</u></a> students from <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> designed promotional materials to support the event.&nbsp;</p><p>This initiative brought together multiple curriculum areas from Weston College and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>UCW</u></a&gt;, creating a high-quality public event that showcased the wide variety of student talent across a range of disciplines. It was a great example of how collaborative working can elevate both the learning experience and the final production.&nbsp;</p><p>Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> students designed and prepared an elaborate three-course menu, offering both meat and vegetarian options to accommodate a variety of dietary requirements. While students regularly host weekly dinner services to gain invaluable hands-on experience with real customers, this event presented a new challenge by delivering a fully immersive themed evening in partnership with other departments. This required adaptability, teamwork, and resilience, enabling students to develop their problem-solving skills and confidence in a dynamic, live-event setting.&nbsp;</p><p>For our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</u></a> students, the evening offered the opportunity to work beyond the traditional stage environment and perform within an interactive dining space. They engaged directly with guests, performing between tables and creating an authentic 1920s atmosphere while remaining mindful of the operational flow of the dinner service. This experience broadened their understanding of performance in non-traditional settings and provided valuable insight into alternative career pathways within the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>Collaborating across departments strengthened students’ communication and teamwork skills, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and build connections with peers from other subject areas. Through this process, they gained a deeper appreciation of the integral role that each discipline plays in delivering a successful live event.&nbsp;</p><p>The evening was met with outstanding feedback from attendees, who praised both the professionalism of the performances and the exceptional quality of the food. Most importantly, the event connected our students with the local community, providing meaningful real-world experience and reinforcing the standards expected within industry settings.&nbsp;</p><p>Experiences such as this encourage creativity, adaptability, and resilience which are essential qualities for future careers. By participating in ambitious, collaborative projects, our students continue to build the practical skills, confidence, and professional awareness needed to succeed in their chosen industries.&nbsp;</p><p>A huge well done to all the students who took part in this collaborative project, it was a fantastic display of professionalism and talent.&nbsp;</p><p>This collaborative project formed part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Makeup</u></a>, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/graphic-design-ba-hons/"><u>Graphic Design</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>