<p>Last night, our Adult Barbering learners were joined by Nek’s Barbershop, one of our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hubs (CEH)</a> partners, for a hands-on Barbering Masterclass.</p><p>Nek, the owner of Nek’s Barbershop based on Worle High Street, is a former Weston College learner who has had a successful career within the barbering industry. Nek brought along his colleague Dan, another former Weston College learner, and they both shared practical tips and business advice, giving our learners valuable insights to help them get started in the barbering industry.</p><p>The Barbering Masterclass included Nek demonstrating a skin fade and mullet on two live models, with support from his colleague, Dan. This hands-on session gave learners the chance to see these techniques performed in a professional setting while receiving clear, step-by-step guidance from Nek and Dan throughout the demonstration.</p><p>Ex learner, Dan, was excellent at giving advice on how to approach the barbering industry after finishing college. His main tip for the learners was to be willing to continue learning after college finishes. He explained that you are always learning new techniques, and that it took him about a year after finishing his qualification to feel confident on the shop floor. So be patient! Dan also gave advice on industry experts to follow on social media, as a way of learning new techniques and staying up to date with barbering trends.</p><p>Nek's tips for the learners included reaching out to barber shops for a job now, as the best thing the learners can do to progress is to be around other barbers who they can learn from, and to not go out alone at first. Nek explained that it took him years to build his clientele, so do not expect too much overnight. He advised the learners to not be hard on themselves if a cut takes longer than expected – it's better to perfect your skill rather than rush! Nek also spoke to the learners about brands he likes to work with, and which tools he enjoys working with.</p><p>Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors, said, <em>“Our </em><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs"><em>CEH</em></a><em&gt; partners play a vital role in giving our learners practical, real-world industry experiences that help them take their first steps in their careers. Nek’s Barbershop is a fantastic example of this, inspiring our adult barbering learners to start building industry connections, as well as giving realistic and helpful advice.”</em></p><p>The learners thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and they reported back that they thought both Nek and Dan were very knowledgeable, and that they enjoyed the insight into the barbering industry from someone who is hands-on and successful. Overall, it was an inspiring evening for everyone!</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/hair-and-barbe… find out more about our adult barbering courses, click here.</a></p>

<p>Hi, I’m Nick, and I am a Maintenance Controller in the Operational Engineering Department at <a href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/">The Bristol Port Company</a>.</p><p>I joined <a href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/">The Bristol Port Company</a> in 2015 as a mechanical engineer. I was employed primarily as a crane engineer but also maintained and repaired other kit such as conveyors, blenders and roller/hammer mills. After years of working as a production engineer on FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) production lines this was my first foray into heavy engineering, but I relished the new challenge.</p><p>After approximately 5 years as an engineer, I applied for the role of Maintenance Controller and was successful! I have now been in this role for over five years. My responsibilities now include managing a team of engineers, planning maintenance, sourcing spares, liaising with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers, issuing permits-to-work and writing risk assessments and method statements.</p><p>This was my first experience as a manager, so the head of Operational Engineering (my boss) told me about the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/leadership-and-management">ILM Leadership and Management apprenticeship</a>, then encouraged me to do it, as he felt it would be beneficial to me in my new role as a manager.</p><p>The apprenticeship has helped me in the workplace significantly. I am now better equipped to deal with all the trials and tribulations that are thrown at you as a manager. During my apprenticeship I learnt many new methods and was given proven models to use in my everyday life at work. These help me manage people, my time and my tasks more efficiently and enable me to be more emotionally intelligent when dealing with personnel issues.</p><p>An example of a standout moments from your apprenticeship was the outward-bound course in the Lake District. It was fun and challenging at the same time. Also, spending time with employees from other departments of the company really improved our working relationships. I was able to learn about effective leadership in a hands-on environment.</p><p>Weston College provided robust support throughout the apprenticeship. Before starting, they guided me through the enrolment process and outlined what to expect. During the program, I had access to a dedicated mentor, regular check-ins, and resources tailored to my role. After completing the apprenticeship, they continued to offer workshops and networking opportunities to ensure I stayed updated with best practices.</p><p>After my apprenticeship, transitioning fully into my Maintenance Controller role felt seamless. The knowledge and skills I had gained during the programme gave me confidence in managing my team, planning maintenance tasks, and handling supplier negotiations. I felt more prepared to take ownership of my responsibilities and lead effectively.</p><p>My time at Bristol Port has brought unexpected opportunities, such as being invited to participate in high-level strategic planning sessions. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to mentor newer engineers and apprentices.</p><p>Working at Bristol Port comes with several benefits, including job stability, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture. The company also provides competitive pay, training programmes, and access to resources that help in both personal and professional development.</p><p>My future aspirations are to continue learning, and to shadow the Head of Operational Engineering to enable me to effectively stand in for him in his absence. I also hope to play a more significant role in shaping long-term maintenance strategies and mentoring young engineers and apprentices at Bristol Port.</p><p>I would highly recommend doing a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/leadership-and-management">leadership apprenticeship</a>! The apprenticeship not only equips you with practical skills but also builds your confidence and emotional intelligence as a manager. It’s a worthwhile investment in your career and offers tools that can be applied immediately to improve your professional performance.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs"><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:transparent;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;letter-spacing:normal;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;word-spacing:0px;">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&nbsp;here. 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></a></p>

<p>An exciting new programme, ‘Ignite’ was launched for the first time this month, in partnership with Avon Fire and Rescue. This two-week dynamic, hands-on course was designed to boost confidence and equip our learners for their next steps, whether that be entering employment, pursuing further training, or focusing on personal development.</p><p>The learners engaged in various activities including:</p><ul><li><strong>Team building&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Building self confidence&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Goal setting&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Communication skills&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Visits to fire stations&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Outdoor activities&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Health and wellbeing</strong></li><li><strong>Cooking skills&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Interview skills&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Presentation skills</strong></li></ul><p>The learners made significant progress during the programme and worked together incredibly to achieve all tasks they were given.</p><p>On the final day of the programme, the learners participated in a live demo in front of spectators, where they were asked to create a water dam which would then be used to spray water out of a hosepipe. After the live demo, the learners presented in front of the spectators, discussing what they had been up to for the last few weeks, what they had learnt, and how the experience impacted them. Each learner spoke clearly and professionally, leaving a strong impression on all spectators.</p><p>Finally, the learners were presented with certificates to congratulate them on completing the programme!</p><p>Following the programme, learners had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one sessions with a tutor to discuss their next steps and explore how to achieve their goals. The Ignite programme was immensely rewarding for both the learners who participated and the team who helped bring it to life!</p><p>A huge thank you to all Weston College staff involved, and to <a href="https://www.avonfire.gov.uk/">Avon Fire and Rescue</a> for partnering with us to make this incredible opportunity possible!</p>